Match Report: Chelsea 2-0 Manchester City

When Michael Oliver blew the final whistle at Stamford Bridge, it defined a moment that many fans might have feared won’t even come this season. Yes, it was the moment when Manchester City’s unbeaten run in the Premier League came to an end.

Manchester City’s juggernaut was halted by Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Saturday as the Blues upset the odds to romp home with a 2-0 scoreline, courtesy of goals from N’Golo Kante and David Luiz.

The Citizens enjoyed most of the possession in the first half and started off as the brighter of the two sides. Leroy Sane had a couple of chances inside the box but Cesar Azpilicueta literally sold himself to make a fantastic block to deny the German.

The league-leaders kept probing away with short passes in the centre of the park but they missed the presence of a specialist centre-forward in the eleven. With Sergio Aguero injured and Gabriel Jesus out of touch, Pep Guardiola fielded Raheem Sterling as the spearhead of the attack alongside Riyad Mahrez and Leroy Sane in the front three, a ploy that proved to be costly as the Citizens failed to make the most of numerous half-chances that came their way.

Chelsea were equal to the task and kept the Citizens at bay with some solid defending at the back. The Blues cut the passing lanes and closed down the spaces very effectively in the midfield, not allowing Manchester City to create openings and penetrate inside the box. N’Golo Kante, in particular, was really impressive as he proved to be a handful for the attackers with his lively presence and tenacity.

Maurizio Sarri’s men did not create too many chances in the first half but they made it count when they got one. It all started with a delightful cross-field pass from David Luiz to the right flank and even though Willian looked as if he had made a hash of the attack, Eden Hazard’s wonderful pull-back found the run of N’Golo Kante who thumped it into the net just at the stroke of halftime to put Chelsea in the driver’s seat.

With momentum on their side, the Blues made a bright start to the second half. N’Golo Kante drove forward with pace and teed up Willian with an intelligent pass but the Brazilian fired his effort straight at Ederson. Willian had another chance to double the lead but his curling free-kick was parried away by the goalkeeper.

With Chelsea on the front foot, Manchester City seemed to run out of ideas. Kyle Walker’s free-kick forced a decent save from Kepa Arrizabalaga but apart from that, the Citizens rarely made the Spaniard work.

The Blues needed to put the game to bed and they did so in style, David Luiz heading it in from Chelsea’s first corner of the game to make it 2-0 for the home side with just 12 minutes remaining.

Read More:- Maurizio Sarri recalling this 21-year-old on-loan ace would solve Chelsea’s No. 9 woes – Agreed?

The 2-0 victory will mean a lot to Maurizio Sarri, especially after that 2-1 humbling at the hands of Wolves in the mid-week game. Chelsea moved up to 3rd in the Premier League standings, reducing the deficit to 8 points at the top of the table but it will be the Liverpool fans who sign off the weekend on a high after moving to the top of the table with a 4-0 thrashing of Bournemouth.

Fan Tweets

 

Manchester city losing to Chelsea with apparently the best goalkeeper
ederson and defender in the league laporte 😂😂😂😂😂😂#CHEMCI

pic.twitter.com/ioYEh4MbBH

— ParkTheBus (@MonsterAmongGoD) December 8, 2018

Azpilicueta vs Man City
– 13 tackles
– 21 duels (76.2% won)
– 5 interceptions
– 5 possession regained
– 2 blocks
– 54 passes
– 15 in the opposition half
All on his 300th appearance for the club#CHEMCI #CFC pic.twitter.com/vEE7yviFLG

— Nizaar Kinsella (@NizaarKinsella) December 8, 2018

Unbeaten run!!!
Unbeaten run!!
Unbeaten run!
Unbeaten run
Unbeaten ru
Unbeaten r
Unbeaten
Unbeaten r
Unbeaten ru
Unbeaten rui
Unbeaten ruin
Unbeaten ruine
Unbeaten ruined
Unbeaten ruined b
Unbeaten ruined by
Unbeaten ruined by Chel
Unbeaten ruined by Chelsea!!!
😂😂😂#CHEMCI pic.twitter.com/6Rm1yP24oO

— Yorùbá (@bimbolanko) December 8, 2018

Sarri hasnt won Guardiola
Man City will tear Chelsea apart
Kante isnt playing in a good position
Sarri’s has no Plan B

Sarri#CHEMCI #NFFCShow

pic.twitter.com/rMjC5lMtfu

— KinG NomSo👑 (@ani_nomso) December 8, 2018

08.12.18 #CHEMCI
– Started off nervously but a solid defense (Azpi, Luiz & Rudiger) kept Chelsea in the game, and Kante’s goal (which was brilliantly worked) changed everything
– Given recent performances, this was a Sarri masterclass on how to suppress the best team in England pic.twitter.com/Ng2WTDWa7H

— chelskiblues (@chelski_blues) December 8, 2018

Everything I love about Chelsea condensed into 90 minutes.
Reversal of expectation✔️
Desire✔️
True Grit✔️
Luiz rolled back the years tonight with an epic MOTM performance.
Fingers crossed with belief restored the team can build on this result.
Keep The Faith#Chelsea#CHEMCI

— Mark Worrall (@gate17marco) December 8, 2018

Maurizio Sarri had questioned Chelsea’s determination, passion, leadership and mentality in the passed few weeks and the players sent a message back to their boss against Man City. #CHEMCI #CFC #MCFC

— Nizaar Kinsella (@NizaarKinsella) December 8, 2018

This is the biggest & most selfless Christmas present Chelsea have given Liverpool since they paid £50 million for Fernando Torres.#CHEMCI

— Damian Cullen (@Damian_Cullen) December 8, 2018

Sarri wants to see intensity continuing: “In this kind of match it is easy to have great motivation, determination and agression. But then during the season you have to play against lower teams, for example in the next match vs Brighton there will be 3 points [to grab]” #CHEMCI

— Nizaar Kinsella (@NizaarKinsella) December 8, 2018

NGOLO KANTE APPRECIATION TWEET.

Walahi there is not a player as efficient and effective at what you do in the EPL right now

You might not have cost Chelsea £89m but you are worth more than a £1B.

We value you, we love you and you are our own Ballon D’or winner.. #CHEMCI pic.twitter.com/SAO8NcFnRG

— ClintonViceB – DAT AkWa IBoM G👑 (@Clinton_Vice_B) December 8, 2018

Master class from Kante… #CHEMCI
https://t.co/qzYZKUEBfF

— ViviR💎 (@Bless_Queens) December 8, 2018

When you get Sarriballed #CHEMCI pic.twitter.com/2uIav3DgGH

— Faisal_ (@FaisalAhmed18_) December 8, 2018