Manchester City 2-1 Chelsea: 3 reasons why the Cityzens won | Premier League 2019-20

2. A moment of individual brilliance

Riyad Mahrez celebrates his goal

It was one of those rare games when the usually gung-ho Manchester City attack was kept somewhat quiet for long spells, as Pep Guardiola's men hardly mustered shots on target.

Man City had a total of 15 shots but could only trouble Kepa Arrizbalaga on 4 occasions. The likes of Raheem Sterling and Sergio Aguero were muzzled for much of the encounter, as Cesar Azpilicueta kept the dangerous City left flank under lock and key.

City looked to their right flank for answers, and Riyad Mahrez led the charge with a game-high return of 5 shots. His persistence paid off early on in the encounter, as he received a pass from Rodrigo, dribbled his way past a bewildered Chelsea backline, before whipping the ball past Kepa Arrizabalaga for the winner.

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1. A great defensive performance

Benjamin Mendy jostling for the ball with Willian

Man City's defence has come under scathing criticism this season, with Guardiola's defensive guardians proving to be the team's biggest weakness.

Unfortunate injuries, as well as bad performances from the likes of John Stones and Nicholas Otamendi, has resulted in the defending champions conceding a whole lot of goals, causing them to slip behind Liverpool very early in the campaign.

However, it was a commendable performance from the City rearguard this time out, as the team welcomed Benjamin Mendy and Ederson Moraes back into the starting XI.

After conceding the first goal, City retreated a little deeper with their defending and snuffed out wave after wave of Chelsea attack. Mendy, in particular, muzzled the Chelsea right flank, with the dangerous Willian kept at bay.

Chelsea could only have 2 shots on target throughout the encounter, a testament to the effective display from the characteristically generous City defence.