Manchester City wins on its ground 1-0!
City bent Chelsea with wear, time and a stroke of genius from Kevin de Bruyne, who went solo to find the opening with a perfectly curled long shot. Manchester City win by the narrowest of margins, 1-0, but definitely distance themselves at the top of the Premier League. With this 12th consecutive victory in the league, the title does not seem to be able to escape them.
Three minutes of hope?
The Blues will have 3 short minutes of additional time to try to snatch an unexpected point in this shock.
Entry of Jesus
Small squad review from Pep Guardiola to end the game, with the entry into play of Gabriel Jesus in place of Foden.
And City spins
The ball circulates between the City players, quietly, like a pass at ten. The clock is ticking and Chelsea are heading for a defeat that would put them 13 points from 1st place.
Entrance to Gündogan
The goalscorer of the day, Kevin de Bruyne, on a shot just 0.03 xG, gave way to Ilkay Gündogan for the last seconds of the game.
Foden misses the ball 2-0!
Sterling overtakes the Chelsea defense and shifts Foden at the entrance from 16 yards. The English international misses his shot, uncontrolled, which flies into the air.
Exit of Marcos Alonso
Mason Mount will come in to replace the left piston. Thomas Tuchel will probably review his game plan for the last 10 minutes.
The strong center of Azpilicueta…
Well launched by Kanté, the Spanish defender puts the ball very hard in the penalty area… but no one is there to take it back.
Welcome back from Sarr
Spaces open up in the Chelsea defence, who boarded the opposing goal. Fortunately for the Blues, Malang Sarr covers well and intercepts Cancelo’s crossbar.
Werner… countered
First reaction of the Blues to immediately return to the game, but at close range, Werner finds Stones on the trajectory of his volley.
OOOOOOOOH KEVIN DE BRUYNE’S GOAL!
THE BELGIAN GENIUS HAS STRIKED!
Alone, the Belgian international resists to get into the axis from 30 meters before lighting up at a good distance, 20 meters away. Kepa is far too short, Chelsea are beaten. Manchester City leads 1-0!
Werner’s entry
Thomas Tuchel makes his first changes with the entries of Werner and Hudson-Odoi. Ziyech and Pulisic come out.
Sterling…next to the frame!
In the penalty area, the City striker manages to find a small space and strikes hard on the ground, crossed… The ball unfortunately slips past the goal and goes out to 6 meters.
Corner for Chelsea
The center at the far post finds no one and City can get away, until an aerial clash between Grealish and Marcos Alonso. Without consequence.
Blame it on Grealish…
At the entrance to the surface, the Englishman manages to surprise Azpilicueta and collapses in the sixteen meters. The referee whistles a free kick in favor of City.
De Bruyne behind Ziyech
For a good quarter of an hour, the Blues seem to have resumed the match with a better end and even manage to outrun City’s pressing, like the Belgian who comes to hook the Moroccan.
Penalty?… offside!
While Sterling provokes and passes Marcos Alonso, who fouls in the box. The penalty seems inevitable… but the referee rightly returns to an offside position earlier in the action.
Kovavic’s High Foot
At the entrance to his surface, Kovacic tries to recover the ball in the air, in front of Walker. He finally arrives late, his foot in the air. It will be a free kick… which City does not take advantage of at all.
And Chelsea still insist
Thomas Tuchel’s Blues have insisted on speed since returning from the locker room, even if it means rushing a little in the last gesture.
Lukaku loses his duel!
What an opportunity for Chelsea! In counter-attack, Lukaku is launched by Kovacic and presents himself in front of Ederson who comes to 16 meters. The City goalkeeper relaxes and manages to get the shot out, with authority. Ziyech is slow to hit then… and puts the ball over the frame.
Let’s go for the 2nd half
The game resumes with the same 22 actors. Will City finally take over and find the flaw in the Blues’ defense?
It’s the break in Manchester!
The Citizens clearly dominate the duel, despite Chelsea’s good aggressiveness in midfield to prevent the Mancunians from getting clear chances. So far, the Blues have held a 0-0 draw, for lack of anything better.
De Bruyne… above!
After some good work from Grealish, who waits before slipping the ball to De Bruyne. The Belgian controls and strikes in force… above the goal!
Grealish…next!
What an opportunity for Manchester City!
The former Leeds midfielder finds himself alone opposite, full axis, in the Blues’ penalty area. But his shot is narrowly out of Kepa… and misses the target.
Rüdiger intervenes in front of Grealish
On a good center on the ground from De Bruyne, Grealish arrives launched into the penalty area … but he is preceded by the German defender, who wards off the danger. No danger for Kepa.
Foden puts the ball in front of goal…
The City striker’s outflanking was good, but absolutely neither of his partners are well placed to pick up the ball and drive it deep. Marcos Alonso revives his team.
Kovacic sees yellow
On a ball too quickly lost by Chelsea, Bernardo Silva projects directly forward and forces Kovacic to a risky tackle … and a little late. Second warning for the Blues.
Quick attack from Chelsea…
Pulisic’s first cross is blocked… and Azpilicueta tries to get the ball to him a little too soon. The linesman’s flag is raised. City will be able to revive.
De Bruyne’s shooting center
After some good work from Grealish on the left side, De Bruyne was found in the box and immediately attempted a shot from the tight angle. It is stopped by Kepa without problem.
A battle without shooting
Two shots attempted only from the kick-off, while the two teams are engaged in a real tactical battle with the ball. All of this is just missing real clear chances.
Walker and Ziyech are looking for each other
Fierce battle between the two players for the ball… and away from it. While the Moroccan’s arm was a little high, Walker practically tackled his opponent to the ground. The game resumes smoothly.
Sarr intervenes in his area
Big tackle released by the former OGC Nice defender, while City maintain their pressure on the opposing goal. Marcos Alonso is in a lot of pain and struggling to hold his side.
Kepa vigilant on his line
On a corner in favor of City, Stones wins in the air and heads… straight to Kepa. Who stops the ball in two stages.
OOOOH opportunity for Lukaku!
All in power, the Belgian striker gets the best of his defender, Stones, before completely missing his transmission to Ziyech. The Citizens are doing well.
Alonso late
The piston of the Blues is taken by the vista and the stroke of kidney of Sterling and makes a gross error along the line of touch. The referee already shows a first yellow card.
Can Kepa take his place?
Edouard Mendy, indestructible holder in the goal of Chelsea, is absent due to CAN and comes out of a more delicate period with the Blues. Not sure that Kepa manages to take advantage of the opportunity that presents itself.
Oh Kepa close to the dumpling!
The game starts very strong with two teams fighting for possession in midfield. But on a long ball, Kepa comes out of his cage and clears … from the shin, on Azpilicueta. Fortunately, the ball goes for a corner.
Let’s go !
The Blues kick off on the lawn of their rival. Will the English championship be relaunched today?
Both teams arrive
Only a few seconds remain before the kick-off of the match in a fully packed Manchester City stadium. They will be 55,000 to support their team to take a big step towards the title.
The warm-up started at the Etihad Stadium
Kick-off of the meeting in 20 minutes now, for the last chance match. The Citizens could take a 13-point lead at the top of the championship if they win this afternoon.
Last matches favorable to City?
In the clashes between City and Chelsea, the shift is clear in recent years. The match of the day will be the 50th in the Premier League. Of the last 24, the Blues have won only 3 times, for 9 draws … and 13 defeats.
Manchester City XI with Ruben Dias on the bench
Taulier in the Manchester City defense, Ruben Dias will not start the game against Chelsea. Pep Guardiola favors a hinge with Stones and Laporte.
The composition:
Ederson – Walker, Stones, Laporte, Cancelo – Rodri, De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva – Sterling, Foden, Grealish
Chelsea XI without Jorginho
For this shock against the Citizens, Thomas Tuchel made strong choices with Mason Mount and Kai Havertz who will start on the bench.
The composition:
Kepa – Rudiger, Thiago Silva, Sarr – Azpilicueta, Kanté, Kovacic, Alonso – Ziyech, Lukaku, Pulisic
Who can stop Manchester City?
At a danteste pace at the top of the Premier League, Manchester City have only known victory since the beginning of November (after a 2-0 defeat against Palace on October 30) and are widening the gap on their pursuers. Because, conversely, Chelsea is struggling to follow by accumulating draws. So, this afternoon, will Thomas Tuchel find the formula to reverse the trend and revive the English championship?
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