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:
Atrocious goalkeeping from Sanchez costs Chelsea
Just atrocious goalkeeping from Robert Sanchez, and not for the first time. There was no reason to come out for that, and he left himself stranded.
Erling Haaland's finish was brilliant, however, and a game that began terribly for Manchester City could end happily. If so, this would be a huge missed opportunity for Chelsea.
Manchester City 2-1 Chelsea
“He’s not good enough him.”
Gary Neville with a damning verdict on Chelsea number one Robert Sanchez. Honestly, you can’t fault the take.
GOAL! Manchester City 2-1 Chelsea
68 mins: GOAL! City go direct again, and this time they get their reward!
Ederson lumps it up to Haaland again who brings it down well on the edge of the box before seeing Robert Sanchez in no man’s land, promptly lofting it over the Spaniard to give the hosts the lead.
That’s vintage Haaland but typical from Sanchez. Another error from Chelsea’s number one.
Manchester City 1-1 Chelsea
67 mins: CLOSE! More direct from City.
Haaland does well to hold off Colwill and find Marmoush, who hits it well but sees his effort just got wide of the top-right corner.
Manchester City 1-1 Chelsea
65 mins: Another corner opportunity goes begging for City.
They play the short corner once again, opting not to put pressure directly on Robert Sanchez who we know can be shaky in those situations.
It’s almost like Chelsea are leaving the short corner open for the hosts on purpose to ward them away from a direct delivery.
Manchester City 1-1 Chelsea
61 mins: Jackson’s goalless run extends to seven as he makes way for Christopher Nkunku.
Manchester City 1-1 Chelsea
58 mins: Chelsea do really well to escape the press and break forward, with Jackson receiving the ball down the left.
Jackson tries taking on Stones but slips and the chance goes awry, with the ball trickling through to the goalkeeper.
Caicedo then picks up a booking for an accumulation of fouls.
Khusanov given generous reception after tough debut
Some of the City fans gave Khusanov a standing ovation as he was substituted. Pep Guardiola gave him a consoling hug. He was looking to the technical area when he saw John Stones ready to come on. Perhaps it was a mercy substitution. The consolation is that his City career can only get better. Surely.
Manchester City 1-1 Chelsea
54 mins: The board goes up and it’s Khusanov’s number on it, who makes way for John Stones. A difficult debut, to say the least.
Meanwhile, Trevoh Chalobah is on the deck nursing an injury.
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