CHELSEA 0, MANCHESTER CITY 1
Kevin De Bruyne scored the winning goal with a wonder-strike to underline a completely dominant Manchester City performance at Stamford Bridge as Pep Guardiola relished a first win against Chelsea as a manager at the eighth attempt.
Manchester City’s preparation for this game was upset by news that Sergio Aguero would miss the game after suffering a fractured rib in a road traffic accident in Amsterdam on his day off.
The news arrived just a day after Benjamin Mendy was ruled out until the “Champions League semi-finals” according to Guardiola and with Vincent Kompany already ruled out due to the calf injury he sustained earlier in the month on international duty.
City still fielded a strong team with just one change from the side that beat Shakhtar Donetsk, with Raheem Sterling coming in for Aguero.
Chelsea had complained of having a day less rest after their gruelling battle in the Champions League at Atletico Madrid but nethertheless started well but it wasn’t long before City took control of the game.
N’Golo Kante’s cross was headed over by Alvaro Morata as Chelsea threatened early before the big Spanish frontman limped off with a hamstring strain in the first half.
City goalkeeper Ederson showed just how much he means to City with saves from Cesar Azpilicueta and Eden Hazard as the home side sporadically threatened but were thwarted by City who monopolised much of the possession and would finish with more shots on goal.
David Silva’s shot was saved by Courtois who also dealt with Fernandinho’s flying header as City caused Chelsea defence all kinds of problems in the first half.
Silva saw Raheem Sterling’s cross get diverted out of his path by Jesus just before he could pull the trigger as City turned the screw in the second half.
Unlike last season, when City were dreadful in both boxes in too many games, the visitors defensive solidity despite missing Kompany and Mendy, also saw Kevin De Bruyne step forward to convert a wonderful chance in the second half.
Sterling had already snatched at De Bruyne’s corner, sending it well wide of the goalmouth but De Bruyne broke the deadlock in the 67th minute after joining the attack during a sustained period of City pressure and blasting the ball past a diving Tibaut Courtois after exchanging passes with Gabriel Jesus.
Gabriel Jesus saw his chance to make the same safe denied by a goal line clearance by Antonio Rudiger as City ended the game strongly with Chelsea feeling the effects of their win in Spain towards the end of the game.
The win meant that City moved back above Manchester United to top the Premier League table on goal difference going into the international break