Manchester City do the business at the Bridge

It was another Premier League fixture, another clean sheet and, most importantly, another three points for Manchester City.

I must admit, with last seasons results against Chelsea in mind, I was nervous for Manchester City as I looked ahead. I put this in my predictions prior to the weekends game and thought we could maybe snatch a draw. With Mendy, and then Aguero ruled out, I feared we could be going into the International break more than two points behind United.

The early knockings of the game didn’t do much to sway my opinion. An early mistake from the City defence saw Morata almost through on goal. A case of either ball watching or player watching, or both, the culprit. As the game progressed though, you could see it wouldn’t be that way. Courtois, in the Chelsea goal, hot a clearance directly at Gabby Jesus. The rebound only just going wide of the upright.

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Pep’s starting lineup was as follows: Ederson, Walker, Stones, Otamendi, Delph, Fernandinho, Sterling, DeBruyne, Silva, Sane and Gabby Jesus. On paper we expected to see a back four, with Delph in that left back role. Essentially though it was a back three with Delph playing as a left-sided midfielder. This overloaded the midfield and with Sane pushing Azpilicueta back, Kev, Dave and Raheem rotated, pulling a normally well-drilled defense apart.

Delph had a powerful shot blocked before John Stones went down in the area somewhat awkwardly. His wrist was of concern, but strapped up, he returned to the game and participated for the duration. A sign of the visitors dominance was evident when, after 25 minutes, Chelsea had their first prolonged spell of attacking play.

Ten minutes later, Morata had to be substituted with what looked like a hamstring issue. An-MOAN-io Conte will tell you this was the turning point. He will tell you it was due to the one less day he had for recovery but that’s not the whole truth. Yes, maybe he was carrying an injury from the previous match, but he wasn’t really in the game anyway.

Looking at his average position, he and Hazard were isolated just inside the City half. The rest of the Chelsea squad, pushed back in their own half. The Italian decided not to throw on Batshuayi as Morata’s replacement instead opting for Willian. The reason for that was City were running the midfield and he was reacting to us.

City could have gone a goal up right before half-time with a Fernandinho bullet header from a DeBruyne corner saved at the last by Courtois. As it was City went in tied with the hosts but a one or two goal advantage to us would not have been more than was deserved.

No changes for the second half, for either side. City started the second 45 as they had played in the previous. Our wide players continued pushing the Chelsea wing backs back and had another good chance early on.

With 53 minutes on the clock the ball fell to Sterling just outside the area, in space. His left foot volley was somewhat rushed, and blazed over the bar. Normally that would be concerning as a City fan, two good chances, either side of the half and neither converted. On this day, it was frustrating sure, but you could see City were pushing Chelsea further and further back in their own half.

LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 30: Thibaut Courtois of Chelsea is beaten by Kevin De Bruyne of Manchester City (not pictured) for Manchester City first goal during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Manchester City at Stamford Bridge on September 30, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images) /

Finally, with a little over 20 minutes left, City took the lead. A one two with Jesus saw DeBruyne receive the ball back just outside the box. His left footed shot sailed past the Chelsea keeper to make it 1-0 City.

From there it was a case of controlling the game. City kept the ball away from Chelsea immediately after the goal was scored and Pep’s game management saw us play out the rest reasonably comfortably. That’s not to say City fell back and defended the lead, they didn’t. City still attacked as they had all game, and Jesus went close to doubling the lead. His volley cleared, from the goal line, by Antonio Rudiger.

Next: Chelsea against City in numbers

There were still an error or two in the defense. A loose pass from Walker earlier and a needless freekick given away by Otamendi late on. Neither came to anything and City finished the game in possession, in the Chelsea half.

Over the past few weeks City have dominated sides and scored a boat load of goals. In this game we only got the one, but for me, it was one of our best performances. We dominated the reigning Champions at the Bridge, having 62% possession. We had 17 shots with 6 of those on target. For Chelsea, at home, it was 38% possession and only four shots, with only two on target.