Chelsea lost against Manchester City 1-3 at Stamford Bridge in a match of the 17th round in the Premier League. Joseph Guardiola’s boys scored three goals in the first half and showed that they will not let Liverpool and Manchester United break to far ahead. City’s team was hit hard by the pandemic, but that didn’t show on the pitch. Chelsea’s expensive selection still does not justify its high price and managed to score deep in the added time.
Chelsea started better and had good possession in the first few minutes. The most interesting moment was when Dias tackled Timo Werner in the penalty area , but Anthony Taylor decided not to give a penalty.
After 18 minutes played, Ilkay Gundogan received the ball at the left wing, made a nice feint shot very strong in the left corner of Mendy for 0-1. Just two minutes later, Phil Foden scored from close range for 0-2. Kevin de Bruyne found his teammate alone near the post and Foden was clinical in front of the goal.
Exactly after half an hour of play, Kevin de Bruyne was left alone against Chelsea goalkeeper Manedy, but could not hit the target.
In the 34th minute Kevin de Bruyne made a leading pass to Rahim Stirling, who left alone against Mendy fluttered, but still decided to shoot after he went around the goalkeeper and hit the left crossbar. De Bruyne ran after and scored from about two meters 0-3. By the end of the first half Chelsea managed to level of the play, but this did not lead to change in the scoreboard.
The Blues tried to return at least one goal, but constantly collided with the wall in front of them. There was also a lack of creativity in Frank Lampard’s team, who became increasingly disillusioned. However, Chelsea managed to get a consolation goal in the 93rd minute. Callum Hudson-Odoi scored at close after a direct pass from Kai Havertz for 1-3.
After this victory Manchester City has 29 points, but with two postponed games with Aston Villa and Everton. The team is in fifth, four points behind leaders Liverpool and Manchester United.
Chelsea is in eighth with 26 points from 17 games. The Blues are lagging behind and already the battle for a place in the Champions League place seems very difficult. Frank Lampard is under immense pressure for his job and rumors for potential replacements are already widespread.
