Gabriel Jesus scored the only goal of the game as Manchester City eked out a narrow 1-0 win over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League.
The first half was a largely cagey affair with chances not coming freely for either team. It was Manchester City, though, that seemed in control, keeping Chelsea pinned back in their own half for the most park. The best chance of the half fell to Gabriel Jesus, but the Brazilian fired his effort wide.
However, just eight minutes into the second period, Jesus made amends, putting the Cityzens in front with a low, deflected effort that wrong-footed Edouard Mendy in the Chelsea goal. Pep Guardiola’s men kept the pressure on and could have doubled their tally minutes later, but Jesus saw his effort cleared off the line by Thiago Silva.
At the other end, Romelu Lukaku put the ball into the back of the net, but the goal did not stand as Kai Havertz had been offside in the buildup. Meanwhile, Manchester City came close on a couple more occasions with Aymeric Laporte sending an effort just wide while Jack Grealish drew a save from Mendy.
Chelsea threw bodies forward to force the issue and find an equaliser, but the visitors stood firm to clinch a crucial victory, that sends them to second place in the table, level on points with leaders Liverpool, while Chelsea’s unbeaten start to the new season comes to an end. Here are our player ratings for both sets of stars after a closely fought contest at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea
Edouard Mendy: 7/10
Edouard Mendy vs Man City
Saves: 2
Clearances: 3
High Claims & Punches on Corners: 5
Long Passes Completed: 8/13Mendy gave his all & kept us in the game until the last minute! pic.twitter.com/ne1B09BaTc
— Nouman (@nomifooty) September 25, 2021
Put Marcos Alonso under pressure with a dodgy pass, but was fairly reliable. Not a lot he could have done to stop the goal as he was left wrong-footed by the deflection. Made two good stops to deny Jack Grealish in the second half and keep Chelsea in the game.
Cesar Azpilicueta: 6/10
An uncomfortable outing for the Chelsea skipper, who had his hands full dealing with Grealish and Joao Cancelo on his side. There were moments when he came second-best, especially after moving out to the wing-back position. Still fairly solid overall, although could have done more with the ball.
Andreas Christensen: 7/10
Given the nod ahead of Silva, justified his selection with some solid and assured defending in the face of pressure from City in the first period, ensuring that the goal was not breached. More of the same after the break. Strong in the air, positioned himself well.
Antonio Rudiger: 7/10
Aggressive and forceful as usual, with an early challenge setting the tone. Kept Jesus quiet for the most part in the first period and helped Chelsea stay in the game with some robust defending throughout.
Antonio Rudiger played really well today!!! pic.twitter.com/N7tQsZmgHO
— Frank Khalid (@FrankKhalidUK) September 25, 2021
Reece James: 5/10
Lasted just half-hour on the pitch before an ankle injury forced him off. Wasn’t able to do much prior to that.
N’Golo Kante: 5/10
A rare clanger from the Frenchman who usually relishes the big games. Looked overwhelmed in the face of the pressure from the visitors and wasn’t able to assert himself as usual. Did make a good tackle or two, but misplaced passes and was often bypassed too easily. The dummy to send Rodri to the floor was a standout moment, though.
Jorginho: 5/10
Like his partner, could not stem the City pressure and struggled to get to grips with the contest in the first half. Slight improvements after the break but was still unable to help Chelsea turn things around.
Mateo Kovacic: 6/10
A surprise starter, the Croatian international found it hard to get on the ball, but when he did, he made some nice driving runs forward, especially in the second half, which alleviated some pressure from the Blues. Had a shot blocked.
Marcos Alonso: 4/10
All Chelsea players take a knee apart from Marcos Alonso who says he no longer will pic.twitter.com/x3SWorqJ0x
— Rob Harris (@RobHarris) September 25, 2021
Largely pinned back in his own half for the first half, which meant his attacking qualities did not come to the fore. Did play a nice pass to create a chance for Timo Werner. That was as good as it got though, for the Spaniard. Not much impact after the break. Looked nervy and shaky throughout in defence.
Romelu Lukaku: 5/10
Isolated and starved of chances, the Belgian hardly got into the game on the afternoon. Was let down by his touches on a number of occasions and while he did try to force the issue after the break, nothing came of it. Had a goal chalked off for offside in the buildup.
Timo Werner: 5/10
Pairing up alongside Lukaku, the German made a few decent runs here and there with his pace making City somewhat uncomfortable. However, he was not found regularly by his teammates. And when he did get the ball, wasn’t able to make the most of it.
Manchester City are the first team to prevent Thomas Tuchel's Chelsea registering a single shot on target since he took charge.
Pep gets revenge. ? pic.twitter.com/hLh9wyjo16
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) September 25, 2021
SUBSTITUTES
Thiago Silva: 7/10
On for the injured James, slotted in at centre-back, with Azpilicueta moving to right wing-back. Made a crucial goalline clearance to deny Jesus a second goal. Helped keep things tight and the lead down to just one.
Kai Havertz: 5/10
Replaced Kante at the hour-mark, with Chelsea chasing the game. Added some energy after coming on. Set Lukaku up from an offside position leading to the ruled out goal.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek: N/A
Sent on in place of Jorginho in the 76th minute. Made a few forward driving runs and showed neat touches.
Manchester City
Ederson Moraes: 6.5/10
Not tested a great deal by the Chelsea attack on the afternoon with his team largely in control of proceedings. But stayed alert to any potential threat from long balls and counters and dealt with them.
Kyle Walker: 7/10
Energetic and purposeful on his side, the Englishman was solid in his defensive duties, and did not allow Marcos Alonso into the marauding positions he likes to get into. Provided a decent outlet going forward as well.
Ruben Dias: 8/10
Rock-solid. Captaining the Manchester City side on the afternoon, the Portuguese defender stood up to whatever Chelsea at him and did not let them pass, making several crucial blocks and clearances. Calm and composed on the ball as usual.
Laporte and Dias as a partnership this season:
4 games
0 goals conceded
4 clean sheets
0 times dribbled past
1 goal
1 assist
14 clearances
3 blocked shots
3 interceptions
7 tackles
16 ground duels won
17 aerial duels won
7 key passes pic.twitter.com/2P4FHBribw— City Talk (@City_Talk_) September 25, 2021
Aymeric Laporte: 7.5/10
Back from injury, the Spanish international wasn’t asked a lot of questions in the opening exchanges with his team in control. Like his defensive partner, used the ball well to help keep the pressure on the opposition. Almost scored after getting on the end of a set piece.
Joao Cancelo: 8/10
Was a thorn in the side of Chelsea with his constant forward forays, defence-splitting passes and some teasing crosses as well. Got the assist for the only goal of the game. Linked up well with Grealish throughout and was alert defensively when needed to be.
Kevin De Bruyne: 6/10
Not the Belgian superstar’s best game, as he was surprisingly quiet, despite City bossing possession. But still managed to play three key passes, including one from a set-piece that Laporte almost converted.
Rodri: 8/10
Rodri’s game by numbers vs. Chelsea:
95% pass accuracy
91 touches
11 final third entries
5 duels won
3 tackles
2 interceptions
1 foul wonHe was excellent today. ? pic.twitter.com/wGTfYWRZtS
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) September 25, 2021
Crucial to City controlling the proceedings the way they did as he sat deep, won possession and recycled it forward with great efficiency which meant Chelsea were pinned back in their own half for large parts. Also involved in the buildup to the winning goal.
Bernardo Silva: 7/10
Full of energy and industry, Silva pressed the opposition high, went into tackles aggressively and utilised the ball cleverly, ensuring that Manchester City dominated the midfield battle on the afternoon. Such an asset with his versatility and effort.
Gabriel Jesus: 8/10
Gabriel Jesus in the Premier League this season:
◎ 6 games
◎ 3 assists
◉ 2 goalsHis first goal involvement away from home this term. ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/5JipK6xorG
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) September 25, 2021
Starting on the right-side channel, the Brazilian worked hard but was not always able to get the better of Rudiger on his side. Came close to scoring in the first half before eventually finding the back of the net to win it for City with a deflected effort after a nice turn. Could have had a second one if not for compatriot Thiago Silva.
Phil Foden: 7/10
Deployed in a central role by Guardiola, Foden did not always look comfortable in the position but more than did his bit, pressing the Chelsea defenders from the front while causing problems with his runs and link-up play. Made a game-high four key passes.
Jack Grealish: 8/10
Lively throughout, with his link-up play with Cancelo giving a lot of headache to the Chelsea defence. More threatening after the break, making some lovely runs, creating a couple of half-chances while forcing a couple of stops from Mendy himself. Starting to come into his own.
Jack Grealish’s game by numbers vs. Chelsea:
55 touches
12 touches in opp. box (most)
6 duels won
3 crosses
3 shots
3 fouls won (=most)
2 shots on target (=most)
2 chances created
1 tackleFitted in nicely at his new club. pic.twitter.com/IKCCUOLPM8
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) September 25, 2021
SUBSTITUTES
Riyad Mahrez: N/A
On for De Bruyne for the last ten minutes.
Fernandinho: N/A
Replaced Foden with less than five minutes left.
Raheem Sterling: N/A
Late sub for Grealish.
