Superb City too hot for Chelsea

The hard work was all done in the space of 16 first-half minutes that blew away Frank Lampard’s side.

Goals from Ilkay Gundogan, Phil Foden and Kevin De Bruyne meant there was no way back for the hosts who were outplayed for the majority of the game before pulling a goal back with almost the last kick of the game.

What happened?

Chelsea started brightly without ever really testing Premier League debutant Zack Steffen.

The hosts’ nimble front three of Timo Werner, Christian Pulisic and Hakim Ziyech were playing together as a unit for the first time, but they struggled to breach what has been a rock solid City backline this season.

City gradually settled into the contest and Kevin De Bruyne came close to opening the scoring on 16 minutes but dragged his shot wide with just Mendy to beat.

Then Raheem Sterling saw his deflected shot saved by the keeper a few moments later.

But it was a brief respite for Chelsea, with City taking the lead on 18 minutes with a beautifully crafted team goal.

Gundogan found Oleks Zinchenko on the left and his low ball to Foden was nudged on by the youngster to Gundogan who span off his marker before drilling a low shot into the bottom right-hand corner from 15 yards out.

Two minutes and 35 seconds later – to be precise – City doubled the lead with a goal that was even more aesthetically pleasing than the first.

Zinchenko was again involved, finding De Bruyne who tried to thread Foden through – the ball came back to the Belgian who moved into the box before sending a pass through the legs of Azpilicueta and Foden’s delightful flick at the near post gave Mendy no chance.

It was mesmeric football and whether it was playing a side who weren’t parking the bus with ten men behind the ball or the clever tactic of playing Sterling and Foden on opposite flanks at various stages, but it was though some sort of psychological weight had been collectively lifted.

Chelsea’s probing continually met a wall of sky blue steel and on 34 minutes, a De Bruyne defensive header sent Sterling clear and after sizing up his options, the England forward curled a shot against the inside of the post and – of course – De Bruyne was the man to collect and drill home the rebound.

Chelsea couldn’t live with the clever, incisive passing and both Foden and Gundogan could have added to the 3-0 scoreline before the break, such was City’s dominance.

Second half

City started the second-half in the same manner the first ended, causing the hosts numerous headaches.

De Bruyne and Foden both had half-chances before Rodrigo saw a powerful header well saved by Mendy.

Chelsea improved from their first-half showing, but were no match for City in this mood.

De Bruyne, Sterling and Foden counter-attacked on numerous occasions without profit to spare the hosts further punishment.

Only a late counter-attack by Chelsea breached the City defence, with Callum Hudson-Odoi scoring in added time.

steel city

The determination of the City defence to keep a clean sheet, even with the game long won was clear even in the first 45.

This City team has mixed expansiveness with a genuine enjoyment of defending.

Headers won, tackles made and bodies thrown on the line time and time again, this City side has evolved into a ruthless mean machine at the back and the partnership of Ruben Dias and John Stones has been key.

And to think that we have Aymeric Laporte and Nathan Ake to come in as and when needed.

Only a late goal for the home side spoiled another exemplary display by the City back-line.

STAR MAN

Kevin De Bruyne - simply superb.

What it means…

City move up to fifth in the Premier League, just four points off the top with a game in hand.

What’s next?

City make the short journey to Old Trafford for the Carabao Cup semi-final against Manchester United on Wednesday (19:45pm kick-off).

Pep reaction

To follow…

Teams

City: Steffen, Cancelo, Zinchenko, Dias, Stones, Rodrigo, Gundogan (Fernandinho 75), De Bruyne (Aguero 87) Bernardo, Foden (Mahrez 87), Sterling 

Subs: Carson, Mendy, Delap, Harwood-Bellis, Mbete

Chelsea: Mendy, Azpilicueta, Chilwell, Zouma, Thiago Silva, Kovacic (Havertz 77), Kanté (Gilmour 64), Mount, Ziyech (Hudson-Odoi 64) Werner, Pulisic

Subs: Kepa, Rüdiger, Jorginho, Abraham, Giroud, Emerson

Facts and stats

City are unbeaten in 11 matches in all competitions, winning eight and drawing three.

City have won three consecutive league fixtures for the first time this season.

City have kept 13 clean sheets in all competitions this season, more than any other team in the top five European leagues.