Man City seized the initiative in the Premier League title race with a statement 3-0 win at Chelsea, piling more pressure on leaders Arsenal and Blues boss Liam Rosenior.
Arsenal were wracked with nerves in Saturday’s defeat to Bournemouth, which opened the door for Pep Guaridola’s side. City, in contrast, turned it on in the second half at Stamford Bridge to power into an ominous position ahead of the top two’s title showdown live on Sky Sports next Sunday.
One side was overwhelmed by the pressure this weekend, the other thrived in the big moment.
It is still in Arsenal’s hands. But it’s also in City’s. They trail the Gunners by six points but have a game in hand as well as that opportunity to beat their rivals at the Etihad.
“Are you watching Arsenal,” goaded the jubilant travelling City fans. They have seen their side overhaul the north Londoners before but this would be the most incredible of turnarounds if Guardiola and City pulled it off.
Rayan Cherki’s brilliance sums up the contrast in where the two sides are at right now. While Arsenal’s open-play attack lacks inspiration, the City No 10 is pulling defences apart.
His inviting cross was converted by Nico O’Reilly six minutes into the second half. The teen is making a habit of scoring big headed goals after his double in the Carabao Cup final win over Arsenal, although the sight of him later limping off was one negative for City.
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Nico O’Reilly scores for Manchester City in their Premier League match against Chelsea.
Cherki was at it again six minutes after the opener, dribbling across the Chelsea box before prodding the ball into Marc Guehi, who finished like a centre forward.
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Marc Guehi scores Manchester City’s second goal against Chelsea soon after Nico O’Reilly opened the scoresheet.
The Frenchman then helped Jeremy Doku bundle the ball off Moises Caicedo for the winger to add a third. A big hug from Guardiola when Cherki was subbed off with the game won was well deserved.
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Jeremy Doku finds a gap and scores Manchester City’s third against Chelsea
City’s win was made all the more impressive by what this match meant to Chelsea and their top-five challenge. Expect Rosenior to be scrutinised. His side now languish four points off Liverpool in that final Champions League qualifying spot. They’ve lost their last three in the league.
There were even self-mocking ‘Oles’ from the Chelsea fans as the home team passed the ball in the final moments. Inevitably, there were boos at full-time too.
Chelsea had looked threatening in the first half, with Marc Cucurella’s strike ruled out for offside and the lively Pedro Neto testing Gianluigi Donnarumma before Robert Sanchez saved a Bernardo Silva warning shot at the other end.
But when City went through the gears in the second half, Chelsea were blown away. The gap between the teams was stark. The gap between City and Arsenal is now far closer.
More to follow…
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