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:
Pep Guardiola sees next two games as 'finals'
Manchester City know that they will have to beat Club Brugge to have any hope of making the Champions League knockout rounds, while today’s encounter is likely to have a significant impact on the chase for places in Europe next season.
Pep Guardiola knows how crucial these next few days are for his side: "It's really important for the quality of the side, that Chelsea have been, they're close in the table, and with the big, big problems that we've had in the recent past.
"The goal this week is really, really important. The next two games are finals for us.
"We're going out with our people (behind us), they're going to support us to do good performance and take the results that we need."
Enzo Maresca says Pep Guardiola needs support in Manchester City's plight
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has rallied around Pep Guardiola and said the struggling Manchester City boss needs support after a run of two wins in seven European games left City's Champions League knockout phase hopes under threat.
City are yet to fully emerge from their surprise slump and a 4-2 defeat at Paris Saint Germain on Wednesday, when they squandered a two-goal lead, has left them outside of the Champions League's playoff places with one-game of the league phase remaining.
"Pep is strong enough in this kind of thing. But for sure, like any human being, he needs support in this moment, for the last eight or nine years, they were always on top," Maresca said yesterday.
“With this club and these players, when they are in a difficult moment, they want to show how good they are. I don't think there is ever a good moment to play City.
"It is normal in football to live moments like they are in. For sure, they will be back to winning trophies soon."
Enzo Maresca does not rule out move for Man Utd winger Alejandro Garnacho
Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca says he is happy with his squad but would not rule out a move for Manchester United winger Alejandro Garnacho in January.
Representatives for the 20-year-old were in attendance as Chelsea beat Wolves at Stamford Bridge on Monday amid reports the club hold an interest.
Maresca, who is likely to be without Mykhailo Mudryk for an extended period as the Ukrainian awaits the outcome of an FA investigation into doping, handed a Premier League debut to academy graduate Tyrique George during the 3-1 win, after being left with only three available senior wide forwards.
Enzo Maresca does not rule out move for Man Utd winger Alejandro Garnacho
Predicted lineups
Man City XI: Ederson; Lewis, Akanji, Stones, Gvardiol; Silva, Kovacic; Foden, De Bruyne, Savinho; Haaland.
Chelsea XI: Sanchez; James, Tosin, Chalobah, Cucurella; Dewsbury-Hall, Caicedo; Madueke, Palmer, Neto; Jackson.
New Man City signings to be thrust straight into team amid injury crisis
Manchester City’s three new signings could be plunged into debuts against Chelsea today as Ruben Dias has been added to Pep Guardiola’s injury list.
Defender Dias suffered a groin problem in Wednesday’s Champions League defeat to Paris Saint-Germain, leaving City waiting to find out how long he faces on the sidelines.
But they have signed two young centre-backs this week, with Uzbekistan international Abdukodir Khusanov joining from Lens for an initial £33m and Brazilian teenager Vitor Reis from Palmeiras for £29m, while forward Omar Marmoush arrived from Eintracht Frankfurt for £63m.
New Man City signings to be thrust straight into team amid injury crisis
How can you watch Manchester City vs Chelsea?
Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the match live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League, with coverage starting at 5pm. A live stream will be available via Sky Go.
Chelsea looking to stay on track after title reality check
At Christmas, Enzo Maresca’s new-look Chelsea seemed like Liverpool’s biggest threat to the Premier League title.
However, a run of five league games without a win provided the Blues with something of a reality check, now sitting 10 points of Arne Slot’s side, who have a game in hand.
Chelsea’s focus will surely now be securing Champions League football for next season, and today’s game could be pivotal in how the top four shapes up come May.
Manchester City vs Chelsea LIVE
Good afternoon and welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of Manchester City’s Premier League clash with Chelsea. The recent trouble and strife continued for Pep Guardiola’s men in Paris in midweek, but things appear to be picking up domestically as they face another side enduring a difficult spell.
Kick off is at 5.30pm GMT.
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