Manchester City came back from behind to defeat Chelsea and snap the Blues’ six-game winning streak. The reigning champions won this contest with 2-1, but they had to work hard in order to take all three points.
City’s Slow Start
Chelsea had a lead midway through the first half, but the fantastic hosts came back with a superb blitz right after that. This victory will present a major boost for Pep Guardiola’s boys, especially after a loss at Anfield two weeks ago. Though, we need to add that hosts didn’t play as they usually do. It was Chelsea who had the bigger possession, and who used City’s weapon against them – fast transition, high pressing, and quick flow of the ball.
After De Bruyne’s opening chance, when he sent the ball near Kepa’s far post, the Blues took matters into their hands. Lampard’s guys had several excellent chances to score, but one by one, the visiting players missed all of them. Up until N’Golo Kante rushed behind City’s defenders, got Mateo Kovacic’s precise pass and beat Ederson, who tried to come out and close the angle to the French international. It was the 21st minute.
Most of the fans believed that the Sky-Blues might lose their second game in a row, but that feeling quickly disappeared. Kevin De Bruyne leveled the score after 29 minutes, His shot from some 16 yards hit one of Chelsea’s players, and ended in the net, deceiving Kepa who couldn’t do anything.
Riyad Mahrez also scored from a distance, but his shot didn’t deflect off anyone. The Algerian playmaker passed several rival players, before sending a nice shot to the far side of Chelsea’s goal. Those were the moments when City’s players dominated the pitch, and were able to do even more damage to the dazzled Blues. Aguero hit the post minutes after Mahrez’s goal, and nothing else happened after that attempt.
Chelsea Unable to Fight Back
The second was more calmer, with Man City looking for a chance to score from a counter-attack, and on the other side, with Chelsa pressuring but without any result. The visitors couldn’t get their rhythm from and early part of the contest, and although they did have an initiative, it was ineffective. Furthermore, the hosts were able to score on a couple of occasions. Sterling did hit the back of the net; however, his goal vas canceled due to offside, after VAR check.
Man City now eclipsed Chelsea on the standings, and the champs are now third, with 28 points, nine fewer than the leaders Liverpool. Ahead of them is only Leicester with 29, while Chelsea has 26 and sits fourth.
Both teams have international duties this week. Man City plays at Etihad against Shakhtar Donetsk, while Chelsea goes to Spain to meet Valencia. Unlike City, who already secured its advance to the knockout stage, the game at Mestalla is the crucial one for Chelsea and their Champions League odyssey. They’ve lost the first game against the Spaniards at Stamford with 0-1
