CHELSEA 2, MANCHESTER CITY 1
- Vincent Kompany and Fabian Delph make rare Premier League starts for Manchester City.
- Chelsea open the scoring after Eden Hazard’s shot went in past Willy Caballero in the 10th minute having taken a deflection off Kompany.
- Sergio Aguero poaches equaliser after 26 minutes after Thibaut Courtois saved David Silva’s shot – his 27th of the season.
- Hazard scores off rebound from his penalty in 35th minute
- City waste several second half chances to score again.
Manchester City were unable to check Chelsea’s march towards the title after they lost 2-1 at Stamford Bridge despite dominating a majority of possession, shots on goal, and even corners against a defensively solid home side.
Sergio Aguero’s first half equaliser cancelled out Eden Hazard’s 10th minute opener but the Belgian tucked in the rebound after his penalty was saved shortly before half time.
Defeat leaves City on 58 points in fourth place but now looking over their shoulder at Arsenal and Manchester United who are both four points behind with a game in hand who may sense an opportunity to snatch the final Champions League spot away from City.
City boss Pep Guardiola had praised his Chelsea opposite number Antonio Conte prior to the game stating that he was a manager to learn from.
The Italian duly completed the double over Guardiola – the first time a side managed by the Spaniard had lost home and away in the league to the same opponent in a single season.
After this season is over Guardiola may look again towards the deficiencies in both boxes as all-too-familiar failings from late last year re-emerged.
Chelsea had the rub of the green against City who once again struggled to convert chances, despite cutting through Chelsea at will early on, and were punished for their defensive errors.
Goalkeeping in particular was an issue with a notable error by Willy Caballero for the first time since he usurped Claudio Bravo as City’s number one earlier this year.
Guardiola had surprised fans again with an unusual team selection. He persisted with Jesus Navas at right back but made two eyecatching changes from the side that drew with Arsenal.
Rare starts for Vincent Kompany and Fabian Delph
Vincent Kompany was making his third Premier League start of the season for Nicolas Otamendi while Fabian Delph made his first Premier League start this term after coming in for Raheem Sterling.
Two goalkeeping errors kickstarted a game which was initially dominated by City but once again the Blues couldn’t convert their chances and then fell to mistakes at the back.
Eden Hazard was the difference on the night, though, converting a Cesar Azpilicueta cut back, poor attempt to save by Willy Caballero despite a slight deflection off Vincent Kompany.
A deflection could have handed Cesc Fabregas another goal but he saw his effort bounce off the bar which could have seen Chelsea taking a 2-0 lead.
Statistics will show that City were dominant and causing Chelsea real problems but it was a mistake by Thibaut Courtois that let them back into the game in the 26th minute.
David Silva’s shot was saved by Courtois after his poor clearance went to him but the rebound fell nicely for Sergio Aguero who had an empty net to shoot into.
Leroy Sane was also denied by Courtois as City continued to struggle up front.
There could be no complaints about the penalty won by Pedro who was running onto the Cesc Fabregas’ through ball when he was fouled in the box by Fernandinho in the 35th minute.
Caballero guessed correctly to deny Hazard but the Belgian tucked away the rebound when the ball landed back at his feet with no City players around.
Chelsea were hanging on in the second half having brought Nemanja Matic on to shore up midfield, taking advantage of refereeing decisions that infuriated Guardiola in their favour, as City continued to be profligate in front of goal.
Fernandinho skied a chance over the bar and John Stones’ header was straight at Courtois while Kompany’s looping header at the start of the second period came back off the bar.
Hazard shot over the bar as Chelsea rallied late on while City flagged with Kompany booked for a late lunge on his Belgian team mate.
Aguero was denied by Courtois while Stones contrived to miss a free chance from Silva’s corner six yards out in space to salvage a point as Chelsea hung on for a vital, potentially title-sealing victory.