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Manchester City 1-0 Chelsea: Kevin de Bruyne strike sends Premier League leaders 13 points clear

By Phil McNultyChief football writer at Etihad Stadium

Last updated on .From the section Premier Leaguecomments2166

Kevin de Bruyne, Manchester City, Chelsea
Kevin de Bruyne's sixth league goal of the campaign proved decisive for leaders Manchester City at Etihad Stadium

Kevin de Bruyne produced a moment of world-class quality to tighten Manchester City's stranglehold on the Premier League title race with victory over Chelsea at Etihad Stadium.

The former Chelsea player broke the deadlock in a tight game with a superb curling drive past keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga with 20 minutes left to extend City's lead at the top of the table to an imposing 13 points.

Chelsea had their chances, the best coming when Ederson saved from Romelu Lukaku in the second half but De Bruyne made the difference and City now also have a 14-point advantage over Liverpool, who have two games in hand.

City deserved the win for their greater urgency and possession, Kepa keeping out Jack Grealish with a first-half save, and this represents another significant stride in their quest to retain the Premier League crown.

Man City 1-0 Chelsea: Guardiola praises 'well deserved' win over Chelsea

De Bruyne makes the difference

In a game of this nature, fought out by two well-disciplined sides led by elite managers in Pep Guardiola and Thomas Tuchel, it always seemed likely a mistake or a moment of the highest quality would settle it.

And so it proved as De Bruyne created and finished the decisive move all on his own as City and Chelsea strived to make the breakthrough.

City had not been able to impose sustained threat on Chelsea, despite having so much possession, but they have the calibre of player who can fashion a goal out of nothing.

On this occasion, it was De Bruyne who stepped up, running deep into Chelsea territory in the 70th minute before curling a perfect low right-foot finish before the outstretched left arm of Kepa and into the bottom corner.

Etihad Stadium celebrated in a fashion fitting for a moment of such class and importance and these three points once again give the impression that City's lead in the title race is pretty much unassailable.

Guardiola has stars at the other end too and keeper Ederson played his part with a vital save from Lukaku when he was clean through. He also brought fist pumps and wild applause from his manager when he raced out of the area to head clear and snuff out Chelsea danger late on.

City closed out the win without any serious alarms, Guardiola and his team striking a huge blow as they try to see off the chasing pack - which is effectively Chelsea and Liverpool - at the top of the Premier League.

Manchester City 1-0 Chelsea: Visitors 'lacked quality' up front says Thomas Tuchel

Chelsea show effort but no inspiration

Chelsea for long spells looked like they might leave Etihad Stadium with some reward for a performance in which they kept Manchester City at arm's length for long periods.

In the end, however, they were undone by that moment of De Bruyne genius and their own inability take the rare opportunities that came.

Lukaku, who looks to be struggling for form and confidence, had those opportunities that you simply must cash in on against a team going for their 12th successive league win.

He was in a good position to shoot in the first half as he broke clear but chose to pass up responsibility and play in Hakim Ziyech, who added to manager Tuchel's frustration by straying into an offside position.

The biggest chance of all came when Lukaku was played through by Kovacic in the second half with the scoreline still goalless. There was not too much wrong with his finish but it lacked a little conviction and Ederson was able to make a save that proved crucial.

Tuchel's discontent was clear throughout as he saw his team penned in by City but Chelsea could have got something, even if it may have been fortuitous in the context of the entire game.

Once De Bruyne ended the stalemate, Chelsea had little to offer and in reality any very slim title hopes they may have had have been extinguished completely by this defeat.

Player of the match

De BruyneKevin De Bruyne

with an average of 8.42

Manchester City

  1. Squad number17Player nameDe Bruyne
    Average rating

    8.42

  2. Squad number20Player nameBernardo Silva
    Average rating

    7.62

  3. Squad number7Player nameSterling
    Average rating

    7.59

  4. Squad number27Player nameJoão Cancelo
    Average rating

    7.57

  5. Squad number47Player nameFoden
    Average rating

    7.33

  6. Squad number16Player nameRodri
    Average rating

    7.31

  7. Squad number14Player nameLaporte
    Average rating

    7.27

  8. Squad number5Player nameStones
    Average rating

    7.22

  9. Squad number2Player nameWalker
    Average rating

    7.18

  10. Squad number31Player nameEderson
    Average rating

    7.12

  11. Squad number8Player nameGündogan
    Average rating

    7.06

  12. Squad number9Player nameGabriel Jesus
    Average rating

    6.74

  13. Squad number10Player nameGrealish
    Average rating

    6.58

Chelsea

  1. Squad number1Player nameArrizabalaga
    Average rating

    5.95

  2. Squad number2Player nameRüdiger
    Average rating

    5.78

  3. Squad number6Player nameThiago Silva
    Average rating

    5.75

  4. Squad number7Player nameKanté
    Average rating

    5.71

  5. Squad number8Player nameKovacic
    Average rating

    5.34

  6. Squad number31Player nameSarr
    Average rating

    5.23

  7. Squad number28Player nameAzpilicueta
    Average rating

    5.19

  8. Squad number19Player nameMount
    Average rating

    4.87

  9. Squad number3Player nameAlonso
    Average rating

    4.68

  10. Squad number10Player namePulisic
    Average rating

    4.58

  11. Squad number20Player nameHudson-Odoi
    Average rating

    4.41

  12. Squad number11Player nameWerner
    Average rating

    4.36

  13. Squad number9Player nameLukaku
    Average rating

    4.32

  14. Squad number22Player nameZiyech
    Average rating

    4.23

Line-ups

Man City

Formation 4-2-3-1

  • 31Ederson
  • 2Walker
  • 5Stones
  • 14Laporte
  • 27Cancelo
  • 20Bernardo Silva
  • 16Rodri
  • 7Sterling
  • 17De BruyneSubstituted forGündoganat 84'minutes
  • 10Grealish
  • 47FodenSubstituted forGabriel Jesusat 88'minutes

Substitutes

  • 3Rúben Dias
  • 8Gündogan
  • 9Gabriel Jesus
  • 13Steffen
  • 25Fernandinho
  • 79Mbete
  • 87McAtee
  • 90Lavia
  • 97Wilson-Esbrand

Chelsea

Formation 3-4-2-1

  • 1Arrizabalaga
  • 2Rüdiger
  • 6Thiago Silva
  • 31Sarr
  • 28Azpilicueta
  • 7Kanté
  • 8KovacicBooked at 32mins
  • 3AlonsoBooked at 7minsSubstituted forMountat 81'minutes
  • 10PulisicSubstituted forWernerat 69'minutes
  • 22ZiyechSubstituted forHudson-Odoiat 69'minutes
  • 9Lukaku

Substitutes

  • 5Jorginho
  • 11Werner
  • 12Loftus-Cheek
  • 13Bettinelli
  • 17Saúl
  • 18Barkley
  • 19Mount
  • 20Hudson-Odoi
  • 29Havertz
Referee:
Craig Pawson
Attendance:
53,319

Match Stats

Home TeamMan CityAway TeamChelsea
Possession
Home56%
Away44%
Shots
Home11
Away4
Shots on Target
Home6
Away1
Corners
Home9
Away1
Fouls
Home11
Away6

Live Text

  1. Post update

    Match ends, Manchester City 1, Chelsea 0.

  2. Full Time

    Second Half ends, Manchester City 1, Chelsea 0.

  3. Post update

    Foul by Bernardo Silva (Manchester City).

  4. Post update

    Mateo Kovacic (Chelsea) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

  5. Post update

    Offside, Chelsea. César Azpilicueta tries a through ball, but Timo Werner is caught offside.

  6. Substitution

    Substitution, Manchester City. Gabriel Jesus replaces Phil Foden.

  7. Post update

    Attempt saved. Jack Grealish (Manchester City) left footed shot from a difficult angle on the left is saved in the top left corner. Assisted by Rodri.

  8. Substitution

    Substitution, Manchester City. Ilkay Gündogan replaces Kevin De Bruyne.

  9. Post update

    Attempt missed. Phil Foden (Manchester City) left footed shot from the centre of the box is too high. Assisted by Raheem Sterling.

  10. Substitution

    Substitution, Chelsea. Mason Mount replaces Marcos Alonso.

  11. Post update

    Foul by Bernardo Silva (Manchester City).

  12. Post update

    Marcos Alonso (Chelsea) wins a free kick on the left wing.

  13. Post update

    Attempt blocked. Timo Werner (Chelsea) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by César Azpilicueta.

  14. Goal!

    Goal! Manchester City 1, Chelsea 0. Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City) right footed shot from outside the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by João Cancelo.

  15. Substitution

    Substitution, Chelsea. Callum Hudson-Odoi replaces Hakim Ziyech.

  16. Substitution

    Substitution, Chelsea. Timo Werner replaces Christian Pulisic.

  17. Post update

    Attempt missed. Raheem Sterling (Manchester City) right footed shot from the right side of the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Phil Foden.

  18. Post update

    Corner, Chelsea. Conceded by Kyle Walker.

  19. Post update

    Foul by Rodri (Manchester City).

  20. Post update

    N'Golo Kanté (Chelsea) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

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2166 comments

  • Comment posted by Arthur Tirana, at 14:29 15 Jan

    Kevin De Bruyne is one of those rare footballers who is universally admired by supporters of all clubs. Who wouldn't want them in their team?

    • Reply posted by liverpool supporter right here, at 14:31 15 Jan

      liverpool supporter right here replied:
      The bloke is world class

  • Comment posted by Zed, at 14:24 15 Jan

    Kevin de Bruyne is pure class

  • Comment posted by Itsonlymyopinion, at 14:26 15 Jan

    If anyone is in any doubt that Kevin de Bruyne is one of the greatest players the Premier League and world football has ever seen, speak now or forever hold your peace. Brilliant in every aspect and with such great humility off the pitch too (and I am not a City supporter). He makes football tolerable to watch despite VAR decision-making and the level of officiating in this country.

    • Reply posted by Dave, at 14:32 15 Jan

      Dave replied:
      Aye. Merson and SKY wrote him off though Poetic justice.

  • Comment posted by AJ, at 14:23 15 Jan

    Excellent team performance and also a special mention for Raheem Sterling - he was outstanding

    • Reply posted by amazonsucks, at 14:29 15 Jan

      amazonsucks replied:
      Yeah, his diving was up to its usual standards. It's embarrassing.

  • Comment posted by Eddie Krausse, at 14:26 15 Jan

    When you start the game with 5 defenders and 2 defensive midfielders you don't deserve to win any game.

  • Comment posted by MidasLad, at 14:25 15 Jan

    I am sure that if Chelsea got a Penalty in the first 60 minutes, Ziyech or Pulisic would have passed it back to Rudiger or Kovacic

    • Reply posted by Sport Report, at 14:33 15 Jan

      Sport Report replied:
      1 shot on target

  • Comment posted by Relax and Chill, at 14:24 15 Jan

    Title on the way. Well done man city

    Liverpool fan.

    • Reply posted by Jake2703, at 14:27 15 Jan

      Jake2703 replied:
      Some run they are on again.

  • Comment posted by WhathaveTottenhamwon, at 14:25 15 Jan

    No more than Chelsea deserve. Had their warning at Stamford Bridge that if you play negatively against City you will get dominated, and now done it again. If Chelsea had the attitude of Arsenal and Liverpool in taking them on, then they could actually give them a good game. But they're too scared to play, giving way too much respect to City.

  • Comment posted by liverpool supporter right here, at 14:31 15 Jan

    Sorry guys. But Man City are head and shoulders above everyone else in the league. Well deserved winners of the title as there is no way Chelsea will come back from this

    • Reply posted by Dallas Cowboys Liverpool FC, at 14:53 15 Jan

      Dallas Cowboys Liverpool FC replied:
      Does anyone know when Man City's title parade is? So the 37 City fans can plan their week.

  • Comment posted by Boiling Urine, at 14:32 15 Jan

    Relentless from City. The haters will be fuming. Loving it.

  • Comment posted by chanasnakepit, at 14:29 15 Jan

    You can realise why lukaku wants to go back to Italy. Can’t handle the premier league. Very poor today. Can’t press.

    • Reply posted by Dallas Cowboys Liverpool FC, at 14:54 15 Jan

      Dallas Cowboys Liverpool FC replied:
      Chelsea - the place great strikers come to become crap. True isn't it Werner?

  • Comment posted by Hodor2012, at 14:30 15 Jan

    £90m for Lukaku lol

    • Reply posted by Salah11, at 14:33 15 Jan

      Salah11 replied:
      100 million for Grealish 🤣🤣🤣

  • Comment posted by sun ra, at 14:25 15 Jan

    WOW chelsea so poor, totally outclassed in every department.....

    • Reply posted by Sport Report, at 14:37 15 Jan

      Sport Report replied:
      If only Chelsea had a player like De Bruyne

  • Comment posted by Psychoarsenalysis, at 14:26 15 Jan

    Tuchel should have played Lukaku. Chelsea missed him today 😃

    • Reply posted by jaduh, at 15:08 15 Jan

      jaduh replied:
      Ha ha

  • Comment posted by Noblestone, at 14:34 15 Jan

    Looks like City actually want to play games, rather than get them called off.

    • Reply posted by Theme from Gutbuster, at 17:53 15 Jan

      Theme from Gutbuster replied:
      It helps having three £50m players for every position, and being able to sponsor the corner flags if they need more

  • Comment posted by 1Title in 31, at 14:29 15 Jan

    A great result today..12 on the trot and even without our top scorer...no excuses like a certain other team .

    Blue Mooon.

    • Reply posted by Celts, at 14:35 15 Jan

      Celts replied:
      Never won a Champions League, embarrassing.

  • Comment posted by Junction8M27, at 14:24 15 Jan

    Well done City . Liverpool fans will post their congratulations later

    • Reply posted by Trollbasher, at 14:28 15 Jan

      Trollbasher replied:
      Well you paid enough for the title so it's yours! It's strange that this will be city's 8th title.....6 of them since being bankrolled! Hardly brilliant to buy it every season!

  • Comment posted by Gazza1955, at 14:26 15 Jan

    Chelsea didn't wake up until they went behind. Lukaku offers little. Must be sold asap (CFC fan)

  • Comment posted by Steve Baldwin, at 15:38 15 Jan

    Thomas Tuchel claiming that “we deserved a draw” is laughable .. we were outclassed in every area today and deserved nothing.

    • Reply posted by mick, at 15:40 15 Jan

      mick replied:
      Totally agree Steve

  • Comment posted by Defund the BBC, at 14:25 15 Jan

    The score flattered Chelsea who were fortunate to score none.