Premier League 2019-20: Manchester City 2-1 Chelsea - Hits and Flops

Manchester City vs Chelsea was the most awaited clash of this weekend's Premier League action - and the game did not disappoint in the slightest. The 4th placed Manchester City went toe-to-toe with the third-placed Chelsea, and the Cityzens just came out on top in a tightly contested game.

Chelsea started off the game as the stronger side, and they were rewarded for their brilliant play through a goal scored by N'Golo Kante. A few minutes later, it was the midfield maestro Kevin De Bruyne who shot one from long distance, and it deflected off a Chelsea defender and ended up in the back of the net.

An individual piece of brilliance from Riyad Mahrez saw him score the goal that eventually prove to be the winner. Chelsea tried to get back in the match but could not score another goal. Raheem Sterling saw his goal being overruled by VAR, and the game ended 2-1 in favour of the home team, with City overtaking Chelsea in the league table.

Here are the hits and flops from this game, where several players impressed, and several were under par.

Hit: Kevin De Bruyne

De Bruyne scored his team's equalising goal

After an average display at Anfield by his lofty standards, Kevin De Bruyne found his magical touch again against Chelsea. The midfielder was lively and at his creative best throughout the game, as he made 3 key passes and scored his team's equaliser from long distance.

The Belgian international gathered the ball and let it fly from outside the box, and goalkeeper Kepa could do nothing but watch the ball go past him into the back of his net. He had 80 touches of the ball in the game, and attempted 12 crosses which troubled the Chelsea defence. He will be hoping to build from this performance.

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Flop: Sergio Aguero

Sergio Aguero failed to impress today

It was yet another below-average game for Sergio Aguero, who has now failed to score in City's last two big games, blanking at both Anfield and in this fixture. The striker could manage to make only 12 passes in the entire game with an accuracy of 77% and had to be subbed off due to an apparent injury near the end of the game.

There was a moment in the game where Aguero had a great look at the goal after an error by Chelsea, but the striker hit the post from a position where he would normally finish. Pep Guardiola will now be hoping that his star striker's injury is not serious, and the Argentine himself would want to get back on the scoresheet as soon as possible.

Hit: Mateo Kovacic

Mateo Kovacic controlled the game for Chelsea today

Although it was N'Golo Kante who scored Chelsea's solo goal in the match, Mateo Kovacic was easily the best player on the field for the Blues today. It was the former Real Madrid player who unleashed quite a scrumptious through ball for Kante, who collected it and finished past Ederson. Kovacic made a game-high 111 passes today at a 94.6% accuracy, and he controlled the tempo of the game for Chelsea.

The Croatian international had an assist to his name tonight, alongside making 4 tackles and 2 interceptions. This will be a performance that the midfielder will be proud of, and Lampard will be hoping that Kovacic keeps dictating the play like this.

Flop: Emerson

It was not a good display by Emerson today

Although he has been impressive under Frank Lampard so far, left-back Emerson had a poor outing in tonight's big game. The Italian international just 49 touches of the ball, while he failed to make a single tackle or interception at the back for Chelsea.

The defender did have two blocked shots, but he also committed two fouls and completed the least passes amongst all the Chelsea defenders. He looked unsure while going forward, and was often the weakest link at the back for the Blues. Emerson was subbed off by the manager just before the hour-mark, and he will be hoping to put this game behind him.

1) Hit: Riyad Mahrez

Riyad Mahrez looked like his old, Leicester self today

Manchester City won the game today due to the individual brilliance of Riyad Mahrez. In the 37th minute of the match, Rodrigo passed the ball to the Algerian international, who completed a dribble and cut inside the Chelsea box to lash a superb shot past Kepa. The goal was reminiscent of the Mahrez we knew and loved at Leicester, where he slashed and cut defenders with ease.

The winger attempted 5 shots today, completed a game-high 4 dribbles and made one key pass. He was a constant menace for the Chelsea defence, and it was his goal that ultimately proved to be the winner in this all-important fixture. If Mahrez continues to play like this in the coming weeks, Manchester City will become a lot more threatening.