Manchester City returned to winning ways with a 2-1 victory over Chelsea at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday, ending the Londoners’ run of six straight wins.
City’s loss at Anfield before the international break made this a key game but they had to work for their three points, coming from behind against Frank Lampard’s enterprising side.
Chelsea midfielder N’Golo Kante had given the visitors the lead in the 21st minute when he held off compatriot Benjamin Mendy before smartly slipping the ball past the advancing Ederson.
But six minutes later, Kevin de Bruyne got the champions level when the ball fell to him on the edge of the box and he unleashed a low drive which took a deflection.
OPENER: N'Golo Kante. Picture: Andrew Yates/Reuters.
Riyad Mahrez was the last name on the scoresheet in the 37th minute when he cut in from the left and, with Chelsea’s defence backing off, drove a left-foot shot into the far bottom corner.
Chelsea, though, have every reason to be pleased with their effort, as it was the lowest recorded possession stat (47 percent) by a side managed by City’s Pep Guardiola in any of his 381 top-flight matches in charge at three different clubs.
‘What we certainly did is compete and give them a really tough game.’ pic.twitter.com/Z41FKYeswY
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) November 24, 2019
And Blues boss Lampard says: “We were controlling the game, we were playing some great stuff and we felt in control, but you can’t be absolutely in control against Manchester City.
“It was bad luck for their first goal, and absolute quality from Riyad Mahrez for the second and that changed the game.”
INJURY WORRY: Man City star striker limped off late on. Picture: Carl Recine/Reuters.
Guardiola, meanwhile, is concerned about main striker Sergio Aguero, who limped off in the 77th minute.
The coach says of his Argentina hitman: “It doesn’t look good.”