Chelsea 0-1 Manchester City: 5 hits and flops as Gabriel Jesus strike downs European champions | Premier League 2021-22

Gabriel Jesus was on target as City beat Chelsea for the first time in four games
Gabriel Jesus was on target as City beat Chelsea for the first time in four games

Manchester City inflicted Chelsea with their first defeat of the Premier League season after snatching a hard-fought 1-0 victory at Stamford Bridge.

Gabriel Jesus scored the only goal of the game as the Cityzens ended their wretched run of three consecutive defeats to the London outfit.

Following a cagey first-half which ended with neither side mustering even a single short on target, the match opened up following a spell of pressure from the visitors.

Joao Cancelo received the ball outside the box and attempted to shoot, but saw his effort deflected into the path of Jesus. He then swiftly controlled the ball to twist and turn before firing into the net, albeit with a deflection from Jorginho.

Chelsea, who'd beaten City in the Champions League final earlier this year, were below-par for much of the game. Had it not been for Edouard Mendy's heroics in goal, they would've lost by a bigger margin too.

Thomas Tuchel's side drop to third place in the standings but attention quickly turns towards Tuesday's mega European tie with Juventus, while City are off to Paris.

Here are the hits and flops from the match:


Hit: Gabriel Jesus (Manchester City)

Jesus was the difference-maker for City again!
Jesus was the difference-maker for City again!

Following Sergio Aguero's departure, there were calls for Manchester City to buy a new striker. Fans believed they should look for someone who could replace the Argentine, with Gabriel Jesus not trusted to lead the line enough.

But so far in the new season, he's silenced his critics with talismanic performances, scoring twice and making three assists in all competitions going into the match.

Now the Brazilian netted another strike to highlight his importance to the side and, more importantly, continue his resurgence as an elite forward.

Sure, his effort took a small deflection off Jorginho. But Jesus deserves credit for controlling the ball superbly despite being under so much pressure. Add to that the audacity to even attempt a shot like that through a stream of blue shirts.

Step aside Sterling, Mahrez and Silva, there's a new match-winner in town.


Flop: Marcos Alonso (Chelsea)

Alonso was poor today
Alonso was poor today

Marcos Alonso has come in from the cold at Chelsea and is proving his worth to the side once again with his attacking prowess. But today's game showed how much the Spaniard lacks defensively.

His penchant for driving forward left acres of space in behind for the likes of Jesus and Silva to exploit, both of whom made a meal of it. Alonso was pretty off the pace in trying to track back too.

In a desperate attempt to regain possession, he caught Silva with a rough challenge and earned himself a yellow. It very much summed up his evening on the defensive front.

Going forward too, the left-back was ineffective. His crosses were wayward, completing none of his seven attempts, nor getting a long ball perfectly, whilst also losing possession 19 times.

A tough day at the office for the Chelsea left-back.

Hit: Jack Grealish (Manchester City)

Grealish took Chelsea to cleaners
Grealish took Chelsea to cleaners

Manchester City knew what they were going to get when they splugered £100 million in the acquisition of Jack Grealish from Aston Villa. And suffice to say the player is yet to disappoint.

In another big game today, he came up trumps. He ran the rings around Chelsea's defense with boisterous runs, whilst linking up brilliantly with his attacking cohorts.

Cesar Azpilicueta and Andreas Christensen in particular are going to have nightmares of the Englishman tonight. He hounded them with relentless pressing, whilst also firing two shots on target.

Even in such a short time at the club, Grealish has brought so much swagger to that left flank, teasing how valuable he could be for the Sky Blues going forward.


Flop: Timo Werner (Chelsea)

Werner had little to no impact
Werner had little to no impact

Timo Werner's lack of goals has continued into the new season. It was becoming a concern enough, but the German dropped a total stinker today.

He never seemed likely to score at any point in the match, a complete non-factor for the entirety of the 90 minutes that Werner was on the pitch for.

With the Blues struggling to control the ball, the 25-year-old was isolated on the left wing for much of the game, making only 28 touches.

The former RB Leipzig star failed to get a single shot on target. He had seen one from distance blocked by Kyle Walker earlier on, before seeing another in the 85th minute obstructed by Aymeric Laporte.

He also made one great run down the flank in the second-half but had no support from his teammates to cross the ball for. Werner endured a disappointing evening against City.


Hit: Joao Cancelo (Manchester City)

Cancelo put in an inspired display
Cancelo put in an inspired display

Joao Cancelo was on a tear in the 2021-22 season thus far, but today, the Portuguese star was simply unstoppable.

Full of energy, poise and purpose, the City full-back was key to regaining possession and distributing the ball. He also linked up with devastating effect with Grealish on the left.

Cancelo looked so dangerous at full pelt that the Chelsea players had no choice but to put the ball out of play. This was something that helped the visitors win a few corners along the way.

He's also credited with the assist for Jesus' winner. Although there was a touch of luck as Cancelo aimed for the goal, it deflected into the path of the Brazilian, who then did the rest.

Quick Links

App download animated image Get the free App now