Premier League
ChelseaChelsea1Man CityManchester City3

Chelsea 1-3 Manchester City: Visitors up to fifth after ruthless display

By Matthew HowarthBBC Sport

Last updated on .From the section Premier Leaguecomments1721

Phil Foden, Manchester City
Phil Foden finished off a flowing City move to make it 2-0 - three minutes after Ilkay Gundogan had broken the deadlock

Manchester City produced a ruthless attacking display to cruise past Chelsea at Stamford Bridge and increase the pressure on manager Frank Lampard.

The visitors, who were without a number of first-team players following an outbreak of coronavirus at the club, stunned Chelsea with three goals in 16 first-half minutes.

Ilkay Gundogan's crisp low finish broke the deadlock and Phil Foden doubled City's lead three minutes later, tucking a superb first-time strike beyond Edouard Mendy after fine work from Kevin de Bruyne.

De Bruyne deservedly got his name on the scoresheet with a close-range finish after Raheem Sterling's curling strike had rebounded off the woodwork.

Callum Hudson-Odoi scored in second-half stoppage time for Chelsea, firing Kai Havertz's cross beyond Premier League debutant Zack Steffen.

The result lifted City up to fifth in the table, four points off Liverpool and Manchester United with a game in hand on both.

Chelsea, who would have gone top had they beaten Everton on 12 December, drop to eighth.

Depleted City show ruthless streak

This was City's first game in eight days following the Covid-enforced postponement of their league match with Everton on 28 December.

They were given the go-ahead to reopen their training ground this week but were without Kyle Walker, Gabriel Jesus, Ederson, Ferran Torres, Eric Garcia and Tommy Doyle against Chelsea.

Benjamin Mendy, who breached coronavirus regulations by hosting a New Year's Eve dinner party, was one of only eight City substitutes.

After a period of early Chelsea pressure, the visitors soon stamped their authority on the game and raced into a comfortable lead with two superbly taken goals.

Gundogan finished low into the far corner after turning Thiago Silva on the edge of the area, before Foden produced a magnificent finish from De Bruyne's pass.

De Bruyne, operating in a 'false nine' role, made it 3-0 before Gundogan nearly added a fourth with a deft flick from Foden's low ball.

The chances continued to flow in the second half as Rodri's firm header forced Mendy into an excellent one-handed save over the bar.

At the other end, City keeper Steffen was barely troubled until Hudson-Odoi's late consolation.

No side have conceded fewer Premier League goals this season than City's 13, but this scintillating display proves Pep Guardiola's side have not lost any of their attacking prowess.

Plenty to ponder for Chelsea and Lampard

Lampard admitted his side were going through a "tough spell" after being frustrated by Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge on Monday.

Former striker Chris Sutton called Chelsea a "crisis club" following the 1-1 draw against Dean Smith's side, and they have now collected only four points from six matches.

Based on this performance, that barren spell seems unlikely to end any time soon.

Chelsea made a lively start but looked bereft of confidence once Gundogan had opened the scoring.

Time and again, the hosts were sloppy in possession and could have lost by more as City unleashed wave upon wave of attacks.

Hudson-Odoi's second league goal of the season added a modicum of respectability to the scoreline, but it did little to mask the problems facing Lampard going into two big away games - at local rivals Fulham and third-placed Leicester City.

Man City on the march - the stats

  • Chelsea have suffered as many defeats in their past six league games (W1 D1 L4) as they did in the previous 23 (W14 D5 L4).
  • Since their 2-0 defeat by Tottenham in November, Manchester City have won five of their seven league matches (D2), with only Manchester United (20) picking up more points than City's 17.
  • City's Kevin de Bruyne has scored in four different Premier League games against Chelsea since leaving the club. His tally of four goals is the most against the Blues by a former player.
  • Ilkay Gundogan has opened the scoring in three of City's past four league games, netting more times than he did all last season (2 goals in 31 apps).
  • Chelsea's Timo Werner has not scored in 12 matches in all competitions, the third longest goalless run of his top-flight career - 23 in 2014 and 25 in 2014-15, both as a Stuttgart player.

'They punished us' - what the managers said

Chelsea boss Frank Lampard told BBC Sport: "We made mistakes, individual mistakes, and didn't get close enough. They punished us.

"If you want to reach the top level which City have been for a few years now, you have to accept the pressures.

"The second half we competed but at 3-0 the game was pretty much done. I am not trying to talk up the last 20 minutes of the game because at 3-0 the vitals of the game have changed, but I was still looking for a reaction.

"I am not putting ourselves down. Today was painful in the first half in football terms because their level of play showed where we need to aspire to be. In the second half I saw a reaction, but the work needs to be done."

Chelsea far from where we want to be - Frank Lampard

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola told BBC Sport: "We played really well. It's unfortunate about the last goal but the result at Stamford Bridge is fantastic. Today we were back like we were two or three seasons ago. An important win at Chelsea away.

"The Premier League is weird for everything [this season]. We just have to be focused during the games but otherwise relax. Hopefully in the Premier League in the last six, seven games we can be there fighting."

Pep Guardiola delighted by 'fantastic' Man City result

What's next?

Chelsea host Morecambe in the third round of the FA Cup on 10 January (13:30 GMT) before travelling to Fulham in the Premier League on 15 January. (20:00).

City face rivals Manchester United in the Carabao Cup semi-final on Wednesday (19:45) before welcoming Birmingham to Etihad Stadium in the FA Cup on Sunday (13:30).

Player of the match

De BruyneKevin De Bruyne

with an average of 7.92

Chelsea

  1. Squad number20Player nameHudson-Odoi
    Average rating

    5.21

  2. Squad number23Player nameGilmour
    Average rating

    4.63

  3. Squad number29Player nameHavertz
    Average rating

    4.23

  4. Squad number16Player nameMendy
    Average rating

    4.22

  5. Squad number10Player namePulisic
    Average rating

    4.11

  6. Squad number6Player nameThiago Silva
    Average rating

    3.86

  7. Squad number21Player nameChilwell
    Average rating

    3.85

  8. Squad number19Player nameMount
    Average rating

    3.69

  9. Squad number15Player nameZouma
    Average rating

    3.69

  10. Squad number7Player nameKanté
    Average rating

    3.67

  11. Squad number28Player nameAzpilicueta
    Average rating

    3.63

  12. Squad number17Player nameKovacic
    Average rating

    3.48

  13. Squad number22Player nameZiyech
    Average rating

    3.40

  14. Squad number11Player nameWerner
    Average rating

    2.99

Manchester City

  1. Squad number17Player nameDe Bruyne
    Average rating

    7.92

  2. Squad number8Player nameGündogan
    Average rating

    7.64

  3. Squad number47Player nameFoden
    Average rating

    7.56

  4. Squad number27Player nameJoão Cancelo
    Average rating

    6.78

  5. Squad number3Player nameRúben Dias
    Average rating

    6.76

  6. Squad number5Player nameStones
    Average rating

    6.74

  7. Squad number20Player nameBernardo Silva
    Average rating

    6.73

  8. Squad number16Player nameRodri
    Average rating

    6.56

  9. Squad number7Player nameSterling
    Average rating

    6.53

  10. Squad number11Player nameZinchenko
    Average rating

    6.37

  11. Squad number10Player nameAgüero
    Average rating

    6.13

  12. Squad number13Player nameSteffen
    Average rating

    6.10

  13. Squad number25Player nameFernandinho
    Average rating

    5.95

  14. Squad number26Player nameMahrez
    Average rating

    5.65

Line-ups

Chelsea

Formation 4-3-3

  • 16Mendy
  • 28Azpilicueta
  • 15Zouma
  • 6Thiago Silva
  • 21Chilwell
  • 17KovacicBooked at 71minsSubstituted forHavertzat 77'minutes
  • 7KantéBooked at 53minsSubstituted forGilmourat 64'minutes
  • 19Mount
  • 22ZiyechSubstituted forHudson-Odoiat 64'minutes
  • 11Werner
  • 10PulisicBooked at 45mins

Substitutes

  • 1Arrizabalaga
  • 2Rüdiger
  • 5Jorginho
  • 9Abraham
  • 18Giroud
  • 20Hudson-Odoi
  • 23Gilmour
  • 29Havertz
  • 33Emerson

Man City

Formation 4-3-3

  • 13Steffen
  • 27Cancelo
  • 5Stones
  • 3Rúben Dias
  • 11Zinchenko
  • 20Bernardo SilvaBooked at 90mins
  • 16Rodri
  • 8GündoganSubstituted forFernandinhoat 75'minutes
  • 7Sterling
  • 17De BruyneSubstituted forAgüeroat 86'minutes
  • 47FodenSubstituted forMahrezat 86'minutes

Substitutes

  • 10Agüero
  • 22Mendy
  • 25Fernandinho
  • 26Mahrez
  • 33Carson
  • 48Delap
  • 78Harwood-Bellis
  • 79Mbete
Referee:
Anthony Taylor

Match Stats

Home TeamChelseaAway TeamMan City
Possession
Home55%
Away45%
Shots
Home9
Away18
Shots on Target
Home2
Away6
Corners
Home5
Away3
Fouls
Home11
Away10

Live Text

  1. Post update

    Match ends, Chelsea 1, Manchester City 3.

  2. Full Time

    Second Half ends, Chelsea 1, Manchester City 3.

  3. Goal!

    Goal! Chelsea 1, Manchester City 3. Callum Hudson-Odoi (Chelsea) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Kai Havertz.

  4. Post update

    Foul by Mason Mount (Chelsea).

  5. Post update

    Bernardo Silva (Manchester City) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

  6. Booking

    Bernardo Silva (Manchester City) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.

  7. Post update

    Christian Pulisic (Chelsea) wins a free kick on the left wing.

  8. Post update

    Foul by Bernardo Silva (Manchester City).

  9. Post update

    Corner, Chelsea. Conceded by Rúben Dias.

  10. Substitution

    Substitution, Manchester City. Riyad Mahrez replaces Phil Foden.

  11. Substitution

    Substitution, Manchester City. Sergio Agüero replaces Kevin De Bruyne.

  12. Post update

    Attempt blocked. Kai Havertz (Chelsea) left footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Mason Mount.

  13. Post update

    Corner, Chelsea. Conceded by John Stones.

  14. Post update

    Corner, Manchester City. Conceded by César Azpilicueta.

  15. Post update

    Attempt blocked. Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.

  16. Post update

    Foul by Thiago Silva (Chelsea).

  17. Post update

    Raheem Sterling (Manchester City) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

  18. Post update

    Attempt missed. Christian Pulisic (Chelsea) header from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Callum Hudson-Odoi with a cross.

  19. Post update

    Foul by Kai Havertz (Chelsea).

  20. Post update

    Oleksandr Zinchenko (Manchester City) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Page 1 of 5
Navigate to the last page
Banner Image Reading Around the BBC - BlueFooter - Blue

Comments

Join the conversation

These comments are now closed.

1721 comments

  • Comment posted by abracadabra, at 18:25 3 Jan

    No striker no problem. Genius from Pep, Frank and his men didn't even know what was happening to them.Brilliant performance from City all over the pitch. Looking forward to a close and fascinating title race.

    P.S: Mendy shouldn't have been in the squad, infact anyone breaking social distancing rules should be forced into isolation.

    • Reply posted by GRIFFO, at 18:32 3 Jan

      GRIFFO replied:
      All players who break the covid-19 rules should be given a 10 game suspension to many of them think they can do what they want to

  • Comment posted by D73, at 18:27 3 Jan

    Werner is the new Fernando Torres, looked good until he joined Chelsea 🤣

    • Reply posted by Sarai Batu, at 18:36 3 Jan

      Sarai Batu replied:
      Bring back Rafa. He knows how to coach players like Torres.

  • Comment posted by Chewywright, at 18:43 3 Jan

    Can the BBC please get rid of the ridiculous player ratings. The no. of players getting 3’s & 4’s just shows what an inane process it really is. Just stop.

    • Reply posted by John G, at 18:57 3 Jan

      John G replied:
      just ignore it.... i do

  • Comment posted by Lanza lad, at 18:26 3 Jan

    250 million spent.. And only 3 points ahead of "relegation" threatened arsenal!! 😂 😂

    • Reply posted by SteadersDad, at 18:27 3 Jan

      SteadersDad replied:
      and your point is?

  • Comment posted by Some Random Bloke, at 18:27 3 Jan

    Incoming article from McNulty about Lampard's impending sacking...

    ETA for it, 2 hours. Tops.

    • Reply posted by The Spin Doctor, at 18:33 3 Jan

      The Spin Doctor replied:
      Ederson, Laporte, Walker, Mendy, Fernandinho, Mahrez and Aguero all out and it was still a walk in the park for City.
      Just imagine what may have happened if they all had been playing? On second thoughts Chelsea fans don’t, it will give you even worse nightmares tonight.

  • Comment posted by rothwelljohn, at 18:37 3 Jan

    Well, naive Leeds are 3 points behind cheque book Frank’s Chelsea and nearly half way through the season. On reflection I think we’ll keep Bielsa😉

    • Reply posted by loveEU, at 18:44 3 Jan

      loveEU replied:
      Lamps Out, Tuch In?

  • Comment posted by Stepro, at 18:28 3 Jan

    Chelsea were poor again. However, Man city were very good for long periods. 1-3 flattered Chelsea.

    • Reply posted by Gabriel, at 18:35 3 Jan

      Gabriel replied:
      of course city threw away a clean sheet. Lost crucial fpl points

  • Comment posted by Have to win, at 18:43 3 Jan

    Such a joy to watch Man CIty tonight. Just beautiful plays and ball control and movement, just amazing. From LFC fan.

    • Reply posted by Have to win, at 18:46 3 Jan

      Have to win replied:
      Could have demolished Man U the other night but didn’t, don’t understand why?

  • Comment posted by Your View May Vary, at 18:35 3 Jan

    How are you going to look at your team’s league position Chelsea fans?

    Glass half full – Chelsea are only 3 points behind Spurs
    Glass half empty – Chelsea are only 3 points ahead of Arsenal

  • Comment posted by jk, at 18:37 3 Jan

    Chelsea unlucky that WBA snapped up Big Sam !!!!!!!!!

    • Reply posted by Your View May Vary, at 18:58 3 Jan

      Your View May Vary replied:
      Actually Chelsea did call Big Sam,

      Big Sam - Are Chelsea in relegation trouble?
      Chelsea - No we are not, well not yet anyway
      Big Sam - no thank you then, call me when you are.

  • Comment posted by Patsy, at 18:45 3 Jan

    Frank needs to take a long look at Steven Gerrard and what he's doing at Rangers and take some notes.

    Cry baby Frank is far too big-headed, arrogant and smug to think he can jump into Premier League management after Derby.

    And hated the way he had a go at Klopp last year claiming Klopp hadn't won anything - shows Frank is also a very bad loser and sportsman.

    • Reply posted by gowgetter, at 18:47 3 Jan

      gowgetter replied:
      I lost respect for the man when he had that rant at Klopp...

  • Comment posted by j1000, at 18:40 3 Jan

    Chelsea are the original oil club, it is satisfying watching them get stuffed after spending so much.

    • Reply posted by BlueFox, at 18:42 3 Jan

      BlueFox replied:
      The irony look who they were beat by

  • Comment posted by numptylad, at 18:27 3 Jan

    Job done. Gundogan was the star, could have scored more, but a win is a win.

    • Reply posted by U19311546, at 18:45 3 Jan

      U19311546 replied:
      Ultimately it was a training session ...
      Chelsea looked good the first 15 mins. Hope they finish above liverpool

  • Comment posted by U18110982, at 18:26 3 Jan

    Ohh dear, cheque book Frank will be raging. He does give us all a great laugh...

    Clueless manager

    • Reply posted by tonybo, at 18:30 3 Jan

      tonybo replied:
      they said similar about Arteta at Arsenal three weeks ago, things can change v quickly in premiership, three wins after this and minds will change

  • Comment posted by twentytimes, at 19:27 3 Jan

    Too be honest I’m shocked these HYS’s are still going.

    .. there’s no dissecting of tactics, no unbiased criticism, no positive suggestions, it’s just a hate-fest for opposing rivals to stick the boot in ( I’ve been guilty of it myself in the past) but it does make you realise how sad it’s become

    It’s that bad now that when a HYS is late opening, bitters are screaming at the BBC admin.

    😞

    • Reply posted by barnseysleftpeg, at 19:31 3 Jan

      barnseysleftpeg replied:
      You could have just written "see Bluecheese"
      Everybody would know what you meant

  • Comment posted by gowgetter, at 18:44 3 Jan

    Has Lampard stopped moaning yet...

    • Reply posted by neilLUFC, at 19:39 3 Jan

      neilLUFC replied:
      Fat Frank will never stop moaning

  • Comment posted by rothwelljohn, at 18:50 3 Jan

    Without doubt when City play well they are the absolute box office

    • Reply posted by U19311546, at 18:52 3 Jan

      U19311546 replied:
      Star billing 🌟

  • Comment posted by U19134187, at 18:35 3 Jan

    Do you have basic literacy skills and no attention to detail?
    Do you support Manchester United and live within commute of Salford?
    Do you believe that football started in 1992?
    Will you open a HYS up really late out of spite if your team loses?

    Well if you get 4/4 you too can be a Salford football writer. Either that or an old rope salesman.

    • Reply posted by Andy, at 19:09 3 Jan

      Andy replied:
      We're you born in Essex? Do you pronounce 'think' as fink and 'three' as free? Do you 'fink' Watford is 'arp nourf'? You too could be a talk sport presenter