Manchester City 1, Chelsea 0
One moment of Kevin De Bruyne magic was enough to win a tight game for Manchester City against Chelsea at the Etihad Stadium.
De Bruyne gave City the win they deserved after taking things into his own hands with a solo run and goal to hand City a towering 13 point lead over their nearest title rivals.
Chelsea were under pressure from the start against a dominant City though, and Kepa Arrizabalaga gave his manager Thomas Tuchel a couple of concerned moments early on.
Jack Grealish had the pick of the moments in the first half with Arrizabalaga saving his shot towards the end of the first half.
Ederson saved from Romelu Lukaku at the start of the second half as the game became more end to end.
City soon reapplied pressure and Chelsea were backing off after an hour with chances for De Bruyne and Sterling.
And it was De Bruyne who broke the deadlock on 70 minutes when he drifted inside from the left side of midfield after Joao Cancelo gave him the ball.
The Belgian had been quiet in the match aside from the odd chance but he took the ball past NGolo Kante and curled the ball between two Chelsea defenders and past Arrizabalaga from 22 yards out.
The Blues had to raise themselves to try and get something out of the game but City looked the more likely to score as they tightened their grip on the game and the league to see out the win.
PLAYER RATINGS – Manchester City 1, Chelsea 0
Ederson: 7. Should have brought his chair and a good book in the first half, good save from Romelu Lukaku at the start of a second half in which he was much busier.
Kyle Walker: 7. In for his recovery pace but also his hard running up and down the flank to keep City moving.
John Stones: 7. Early mistake almost let Chelsea in early but for offside flag. Header was saved by Kepa Arrizabalaga but Pep Guardiola was in his ear from early on. Good distribution.
Aymeric Laporte: 7. Very comfortable at the back.
Joao Cancelo: 7. Tested Kepa Arrizabalaga with deflected shot. Laid on the ball for Kevin De Bruyne’s winner.
Kevin De Bruyne: 8. Deeper role than recently, still able to test the keeper although under his best but he came up with the opening goal after a solo run and shot.
Rodri: 7. Very assured in midfield again.
Bernardo Silva: 8. Big performer today. Ball retention was very good which helped City control the midfield.
Raheem Sterling: 8. Torrid time given to Marcos Alonso. Dangerous crosses in and won a penalty but from an offside position and combined well with Kyle Walker down the right.
Jack Grealish: 7. Early gamble almost paid off after jittery dash off the line by Kepa Arrizabalaga. Missed a sitter when Kevin De Bruyne deflected Mateo Kovacic’s pass into his path but Kepa Arrizabalaga saved his shot.
Phil Foden: 7. Put Chelsea under pressure from false 9 role, great movement, snapping at Chelsea’s defenders, and incisive passing. Missed a great late chance.
Ilkay Gündoğan (on for Kevin de Bruyne, 84): No time to mark.
Gabriel Jesus (on for Phil Foden, 88): No time to mark.
GOAL – Manchester City 1, Chelsea 0
Man City 1, Chelsea 0: 70. Kevin de Bruyne took the ball past NGolo Kante and curled the ball between two Chelsea defenders and past Kepa Arrizabalaga from 22 yards out after Joao Cancelo game him the ball.
MATCH STATS – Manchester City 1, Chelsea 0
Man City: Ederson, Walker, Stones, Laporte, Cancelo, De Bruyne (C) (Gundogan 84), Rodri, Bernardo Silva, Sterling, Grealish, Foden (Jesus 88)
Man City subs not used: Steffen, Dias, Fernandinho, Mbete, McAtee, Lavia, Wilson-Esbrand
Goal: De Bruyne 70
Chelsea: Arrizabalaga, Rudiger, Thiago Silva, Sarr, Azpilicueta (C), Kante, Kovacic, Alsonso (Mount 81), Ziyech (Hudson-Odoi 69), Pulisic (Werner 69), Lukaku
Chelsea subs not used: Bettinelli, Jorginho, Loftus-Cheek, Saul, Barkley, Havertz
Booked: Alonso 7 (foul on Raheem Sterling); Kovacic 32 (foul on Bernardo Silva)
Referee: Craig Pawson