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Thomas Tuchel's Chelsea have temporarily derailed Manchester City's Premier League title celebrations with a thrilling 2-1 win at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday.
Cityzens legend Sergio Aguero could potentially have kickstarted preparations for their coronation from the penalty spot but a shocking panenka attempt afforded Chelsea a lease of life. The Blues capitalised on the situation and stole the win with mere seconds left on the clock via a bundled strike from Marcos Alonso.
The first half of the game was largely uneventful as both sides had the answers to everything thrown at them. Although clear-cut chances were at a premium, Chelsea looked a tad more threatening than the hosts but had nothing to show for.
The breakthrough finally arrived just before the half-time mark as Raheem Sterling found the back of an empty net to give Manchester City the lead.
Ruben Dias played a lofted ball for Gabriel Jesus to chase, and the Brazilian got the better of an onrushing Andreas Christensen to set up Aguero. The Argentine's first touch was a mighty poor one which inadvertently set up the ball for Sterling to score.
Just over 60 seconds later, Jesus was in the thick of things once again as the striker won a penalty for Manchester City after Chelsea's Billy Gilmour made contact inside the box.
However, it was an anti-climatic finish, as Manchester City's record-scorer Aguero's poor panenka was comfortably read by Edouard Mendy to keep the scoreline at 1-0.
Chelsea dominate second half against Manchester City
The second half was on the other end of the spectrum as it was filled with drama and moments of brilliance at the Etihad. Hakim Ziyech's rifled finish on 63 minutes from just outside the box restored parity to the scoreline after a sublime sequence of passes involving Cezar Azpilicueta, Christian Pulisic, and the Moroccan.
Chelsea were certainly the better side in the second half and nearly doubled their lead with just over ten minutes left on the clock with a goal from substitute Callum Hudson-Odoi, only to be ruled out for offside.
With just seconds left until the full-time whistle, Chelsea put together one final push as Werner and Hudson-Odoi combined well on the right and the German arrowed a ball into City's box. A marauding Marcos Alonso made his way into the box to bundle the ball over Ederson's head, leaving no chance for him to save it.
It was a sensational victory for Thomas Tuchel and Chelsea as they got the better of their upcoming UEFA Champions League opponents twice in a short span. Alonso's last-gasp winner forced Manchester City to postpone their title celebrations, and they could be made to wait even longer as Manchester United, currently second in the table, play thrice before the Cityzens' next league game.
Here are the player ratings for Chelsea's 2-1 win over Manchester City at the Etihad.
Manchester City Player Ratings
Ederson — 6/10
Didn't have much to do throughout the game and there was nothing much he could have done to prevent either goal. Made a couple of comfortable saves when called into action.
Ruben Dias — 6.5/10
Played a key role in the build-up to the first goal to release Jesus, but appeared evidently jaded towards the end of the game.
Aymeric Laporte — 7/10
Came back into the Manchester City XI and did a great job sweeping up central areas and came up with a couple of much-needed interventions to keep Werner quiet. More passes (99) and touches (110) than any other player at the Etihad on the evening.
Nathan Ake — 7/10
Manchester City's most proactive defender against Chelsea and helped cover for Benjamin Mendy on the left on several occasions. Made most tackles (four) and most clearances (five) for the hosts.
Joao Cancelo — 5.5/10
Not the Portuguese's best outing as he couldn't help Manchester City keep Marcos Alonso in check. Left too much space in behind for the Spaniard and Chelsea's front three to exploit.
Ferran Torres — 5/10
Failed to provide any real threat whatsoever from central areas, be it with regular runs into the box, shots or much else, and failed to impose himself on the game. Took fewer touches than any starting defender, midfielder, or goalkeeper on the pitch. Nearly invisible for the best part of 70 minutes.
Rodri Hernandez — 6/10
Rodri was surprisingly the only midfielder in the starting XI and was asked to play an anchoring role with little to no support. He did a respectable job barring one very costly moment in the second half where he lost the ball and afforded Chelsea a way back into the game.
Raheem Sterling 7/10
Much like Torres, Sterling was deployed in a strange role in midfield and while it didn't suit him too well, he came up with the opener in the first half with a great run into the box. On another day, he could've won a penalty due to Kurt Zouma's challenge.
Benjamin Mendy — 6/10
Provided width and an attacking presence for Manchester City and took up good positions, but was overrun by Reece James. Mendy failed to deal with the Englishman's threat and let him slip on a few occasions.
Gabriel Jesus — 7/10
Led the line alongside Sergio Aguero and put in a good shift for his side. Latched onto Dias' ball to create the opener and won a penalty. Failed to threaten in the second half.
Sergio Aguero — 3/10
Took a horrendous touch to receive Jesus' ball for the opener that nearly cost his side the goal, but Sterling was on his shoulder to finish from close range. His penalty attempt, given the fact that he could've effectively sealed Manchester City's third title in four years, was utterly embarrassing. Shocking display.
Substitutes
Phil Foden (Aguero, 70') — 6/10
Added some much-needed urgency in the final third but couldn't help break Chelsea down.
Ilkay Gundogan (Torres, 71') — 6/10
Created a noteworthy chance for Foden and shored things up in the middle for Manchester City.
Oleksandr Zinchenko (Mendy, 80') — N/A
Also read: 5 Best Premier League players outside the traditional top 6 clubs
Chelsea Player Ratings
Edouard Mendy — 7.5/10
Saved Aguero's penalty comfortably and was up to the task when called upon in the first half. Largely untroubled after the restart.
Cezar Azpilicueta — 8/10
After playing at wing-back against Real Madrid, Azpilicueta effortlessly reverted to central defence and did a phenomenal job. Kept an eye on Sterling and bombed forward at every opportunity. Made more tackles (five) than anyone on the pitch, along with three clearances and registered a crucial assist for the equaliser.
Andreas Christensen — 5/10
Uncharacteristically poor on the evening after a string of impressive displays heading into the game. Allowed Jesus to get away too easily for the opening goal and didn't win any of his duels. Replaced at half-time due to a muscle injury.
Antonio Rudiger — 7.5/10
A solid shift from the German who has been in an impressive vein of form. Was a major threat with the ball as he completed more long balls (five) than anyone on the pitch and created one great chance for Alonso.
Reece James — 8/10
Relatively quiet in the first half but was absolutely incredible in the second, marauding down the right and causing Mendy all sorts of problems. Played a big role in their comeback and provided a prominent attacking outlet on the right. Solid outing.
Billy Gilmour — 6.5/10
Kept his place from their previous game in the Premier League and held his own against Manchester City, keeping things tidy in the middle. However, he conceded a penalty in the first-half which Aguero failed to convert.
N'Golo Kante — 7/10
The French superstar had a decent outing, helping Chelsea recycle possession in the middle. Looked a tad tired towards the end of his 67-minute stay on the pitch, but was largely solid on the evening.
Marcos Alonso — 8/10
Came in for Ben Chilwell on the left and did a superb job, particularly on the offensive front. His powerful running caused City problems at the back. Alonso created two chances, won six of his eight duels, and scored an outrageous last-second winner to seal the points for Tuchel's men.
Christian Pulisic — 6.5/10
Didn't look anywhere near his best and was far too wasteful with the ball at his feet. Failed to cause City's defence any real trouble. Cut a frustrating figure for large parts of the game.
Timo Werner — 7/10
Tuchel said the German forward was working 'like a dog' upfront, which aptly summed up his display. Werner put in an industrious shift for his side but he was still wasteful in front of goal. Two goals chalked off for offside but set up the eventual winner after some good work down the right flank.
Hakim Ziyech — 7.5/10
Frustrating first half as he failed to make judicious use of the ball on the left, but improved remarkably in the second 45 as he began to drift infield. Great work to steal the ball from Rodri and force the equaliser, which he scored in majestic fashion from the edge of the area. Second goal in two outings against City.
Substitutes
Kurt Zouma (Christensen, 45') — 6.5/10
Came on for the injured Dane just before half-time and made one absolutely breathtaking tackle on Sterling inside the box. Could have conceded a penalty against the Englishman late into the game.
Jorginho Frello (Kante, 68') — 6/10
Sprayed the ball around with ease and helped shore up the midfield. Nothing much else of note.
Callum Hudson-Odoi (Ziyech, 76') — 6.5/10
Injected some pace and directness into the final third and played a huge role in the winner.
Also read: 5 Transfers that dramatically changed the fortunes of a club
