Chelsea 2-0 Manchester City: 3 things we learned | Premier League 2018-19

Chelsea and Manchester City have been two of the most successful teams in the Premier League in recent times.

Pep Guardiola's side came into the game unbeaten and looked to retain the top spot. Last season, this fixture got decided by Kevin De Bruyne's brilliance and City wanted to make it a double at Stamford Bridge.

Early in the game, Sterling got a good chance after Jorginho lost the ball in the midfield, but the England international could not time his shot correctly. Manchester City got numerous chances in the first half to score with Sane and Sterling repeatedly making darting runs down the flanks.

However, against the run of play, Sarri's side took the lead after Hazard teed up Kante who fired home from just inside the penalty box. It was the first time in nearly a year that Manchester City went into the half-time break with a goal down.

The home side started the second half on the front foot with Willian forcing Ederson into a couple of decent saves. Chelsea were the better team in the second half and deservedly doubled their lead after Luiz headed in from a corner. It ended City's unbeaten run in the campaign and their stay at the top of the league table.

Here are the three things we learned from the game:

---

#3 Resilience pays off for Chelsea

Luiz was solid in defense as well as he scored Chelsea's second goal of the day

Playing against Pep Guardiola's side is always a tough ask for any opposition. The way City set up, they can roll over any team at will.

Sarri is someone who prefers to keep the ball and play in an attacking style. However, using that philosophy would only mean playing into the hands of Guardiola.

The Italian formulated a slightly defensive tactic last night, allowing City to have all the possession and then hit them on the break. It required the defense to be resilient and compact and never allow much room for Manchester City's full-backs to run in. David Luiz shrugged off his horror show against Spurs with Marcos Alonso performing his defensive duties pretty well.

Even the midfield of Kante and Jorginho didn't allow the two Silva's -- David and Bernardo to dictate the play which they like to do. It was a stable performance from Maurizio Sarri's side.

#2 Sarri ball stops Guardiola juggernaut

Chelsea's most promising win under Maurizio Sarri

After the first half a dozen games of the season, Manchester City, Liverpool, and Chelsea were the three sides who looked to be the contenders for the Premier League title this campaign.

However, the defeats against Tottenham Hotspur and Wolves have pegged the Blues back in the title race.

Earlier, Liverpool continued their unbeaten start to the campaign after brushing Bournemouth away by a four-goal margin.

Liverpool's victory meant a draw or a win for City would take Pep Guardiola's side back to the top of the League table. However, it didn't turn out the way the Spaniard would have expected at the Stamford Bridge.

Manchester City were the better team in the first half, but Chelsea hit them hard after half-time.

In the second half, Sarri ball was at its full swing as they doubled their lead from a corner. It not only ended City's unbeaten run but just moved them into the second place below Liverpool in the table.

#1 Missed first half chances cost Manchester City

Sterling missed a glorious opportunity to score in the first half

Manchester City have been at their dominating best since the 2017-18 campaign. The Citizens have swept away almost any opposition that they have faced. Moreover, the way Guardiola's side start their games, the match gets over within the first 45 minutes itself.

However, it was a different proposition last night. Stamford Bridge is always a tricky place to visit for any team. City started the game with their usual swagger, creating numerous chances in the first half. Raheem Sterling should have given Manchester City the lead within the first five minutes, but he missed a sitter from a close range.

Since then, the reigning League champions made many in-roads into the Chelsea box with Sane and Sterling running the show for City, but they paid for their missed chances.

Towards the end of the first half, Hazard found Kante, who slotted home beautifully to give the home side the lead into the break. It was also the first time in a year that Pep Guardiola's side went into the half-time trailing by a goal with their unbeaten run under serious threat.