Man City vs Chelsea LIVE: Result and reaction as resurgent City clinch important win
Man City 3-1 Chelsea: A horror debut for Abdukodir Khusanov gave the Blues a 1-0 lead but City deservedly hit back through Gvardiol, Haaland and Foden
Erling Haaland and Phil Foden spared the blushes of new team-mate Abdukodir Khusanov as Manchester City came from behind to beat Chelsea 3-1.
Khusanov, the £33.6m Uzbekistan defender signed from Lens this week, made a nightmare start in the Premier League with an error that led to a Chelsea goal and a booking inside the opening four minutes.
Noni Madueke took full advantage of the mistake to put the visitors ahead at the Etihad Stadium but Josko Gvardiol equalised and the tried-and-trusted figures of Haaland and Foden settled the contest in the second half.
The win lifted City back above Chelsea into the top four and raised spirits after their midweek capitulation at Paris St Germain.
Relive everything in our live blog below:
FULL-TIME! Manchester City 3-1 Chelsea
Manchester City recover from a nightmare start to secure all the points against Chelsea and claw their way back into the top four.
After Josko Gvardiol cancelled out Noni Madueke’s early opener before the break, Erling Haaland capitalised on Robert Sanchez going walkabouts to put the Citizens in front.
Phil Foden tucked in a third to settle the nerves late on, kicking off a critical nine-day period with a win.
Manchester City 3-1 Chelsea
90+4 mins: There was a real nervousness around the ground before that third goal went in. Chelsea were controlling the ball and while they weren’t doing a lot with it, it only takes one moment for everything to fall apart.
That nervousness has been replaced with adulation at the Etihad. City are about to be back in the top four, at the expense of the Blues.
Manchester City 3-1 Chelsea
90+1 mins: Madueke flashes a cross past the goal-face after doing well to create half a yard of space.
Five minutes added on.
Manchester City 3-1 Chelsea
90 mins: This game started really badly for Man City and could’ve been another troubling night for Pep Guardiola in a season of struggle.
However, they’ve shown composure to get back into this and are very good value for their lead.
This result will feel particularly good.
GOAL! Manchester City 3-1 Chelsea
87 mins: GOAL! That settles it!
Erling Haaland holds up the ball and slips Phil Foden in behind with a clear run at goal, who makes no mistake when one-on-one with Sanchez.
He curls it into the bottom left-corner as a collective sigh of relief is felt around the Etihad.
Manchester City 2-1 Chelsea
85 mins: Gvardiol brilliantly controls the Palmer delivery and brings the ball away before Gundogan is fouled by Cucurella to ease the pressure on the City defence.
Cucurella is furious that decision went against him. He felt if anyone, he was fouled.
Manchester City 2-1 Chelsea
83 mins: The corner comes finds its way through to Moises Caicedo in space, but his effort is blocked and goes out for a throw.
However, the Blues have another set piece opportunity after Kovacic barged into the back of Palmer, receiving a booking for his troubles. The former City man stands over the ball.
80 mins: Bernardo Silva is in the book for a sliding challenge from behind on Enzo Fernandez. He can have no complaints.
Chelsea looking for that one moment where they can break through this City block. They’ve got a corner.
Manchester City 2-1 Chelsea
78 mins: De Bruyne already starting to make things tick for City.
He slips through Nunes down the right who tries to take on Cucurella, but the Chelsea man comes out on top.
Manchester City 2-1 Chelsea
74 mins: Chelsea look to respond quickly from a corner but the Reece James delivery bypasses all in blue and is cleared by a City head.
The break in play sees three substitutions take place. Chelsea bring on Neto and Gusto for Sancho and James, while Kevin De Bruyne enters the fray to bring Marmoush’s debut to an end.
A very encouraging start for the Egyptian.
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