Manchester City grabbed a 1-0 win away to Chelsea on Thursday night, despite the Premier League champions having an off-colour performance.
Pep Guardiola’s men were second best in the first half and then struggled late on at Stamford Bridge, but Riyad Mahrez’s goal on 63 minutes proved to be the vital moment of the game.
It was a slow start in the capital impacted by early injuries to Raheem Sterling and Christian Pulisic which forced both players to be withdrawn. But it took until the 24th minute for a shot of note, with Hakim Ziyech forcing Ederson to keep out his low, driven effort.
It was after the half-hour mark that City produced their first chance, with Ilkay Gundogan firing wide, while soon after Erling Haaland snatched at a shot and drove over. Carney Chukwuemeka went closest in the first half when he hit the post from the edge of the area, while just seconds later Kevin De Bruyne drew a save from Kepa Arrizabalaga as he broke down the other end.
But City came out with greater gusto at the start of the second period, and Haaland shot wide before Nathan Ake hit the post with a header. De Bruyne also went close twice before City’s early dominance in the second half was rewarded just after the hour mark.
It was two substitutes who combined for the champions as Jack Grealish on the left picked out Mahrez inside the box, and the former Leicester City man poked home to net the only goal of the game.
After City’s strong start to the second period, Chelsea came back into things and had a decent shot via Thiago Silva, which fizzed wide, while Kai Havertz and Mateo Kovacic should have done better with half chances. Lewis Hall did go close late on as City clung on to take all three points.
Here’s how we rated the players...
1. Ederson- 6
Didn’t have many saves to make on a quiet night for the Brazilian.
2. Kyle Walker- 5 (off 46)
Played on the right of a back three and looked relatively solid in his first City appearance in three months.
3. John Stones- 8
Put in a superb challenge to block Pulisic’s early chance and was calm and composed all night. He was City’s most consistent performer on a night when they failed to impress.
4. Nathan Ake- 6
Had one or two awkward moments from a defensive point of view, but helped ensure City kept a clean sheet.