(Chelsea 0–1 Manchester City) When Erling Braut Haaland (22) failed to score his chances, Manchester City’s saviors came on as a substitute. At the same time, Chelsea’s injury nightmare continues.
After battling hard in the first half against Chelsea, both Riyad Mahrez and Jack Grealish came on for Manchester City in the second half. It took the star duo under four minutes to wrap up a brilliant attack, to put City ahead.
– It’s always difficult to get to Stamford Bridge. We had to give it our all as we did in the second half, City manager Pep Guardiola told the BBC.
– We didn’t play well in the first half, he told Sky Sport.
Grealish found the opposite wing at the far post and the Algerian managed to slot in what turned out to be the winning goal midway through the second half.
Grealish, who now has three assists in his last three games, wondered where Haaland was on the pitch when the pass went past Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga.
– I went in and thought that Erling must be there somewhere. I just stood in front of the goal and asked him “where were you?” Grealish tells Sky Sports.
Haaland was uninvolved early on and didn’t get a single touch on the ball at half-time. The Norwegian also abused what became Manchester City’s biggest chance before the break.
The Norwegian star was nonetheless praised by Norway assistant coach Brede Hangeland after the mistake.
– Erling is so elegant. It’s an incredibly difficult opportunity, the former national team captain said of the occasion in the Viaplay studio:
The Premier League’s supreme goalscorer also fought his way to a huge chance after the visitors had taken the lead, but narrowly missed Kevin de Bruyne’s pass in the box.
Thus, Haaland went off the field goalless in City’s first match in 2023, but came close to scoring here:
It would take no more than two minutes before Chelsea’s dismal injury list listed another player. Raheem Sterling went down clutching his hamstring and was substituted minutes later.
Fifteen minutes later, Christian Pulisic was down after a quick and important tackle from John Stones. The American was also unable to continue and had to give up before halfway through the first half.
Sterling and Pulisic are just two of many key Chelsea players who are out with injuries. Against City there were neither Mason Mount, Armando Broja, Weslay Fofana, Edouard Mendy, Reece James nor N’Golo Kante.
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But despite the wounds; it was Chelsea who ruled most of the time before the break.
– It was a good performance all in all, losing Raheem and Pulisic early. I am proud of the players and the effort they have put in, Chelsea manager Graham Potter told Sky Sports.
19-year-old Carney Chukwuemek, who replaced Pulisic, also provided the biggest chance of the half. The youngster showed good moves from the left wing, and was very close to scoring his first Premier League goal when the goal hit the post.
Chelsea have just one win in their last eight games, and are in the middle of the table on 25 points. Manchester City have secured an important three points behind table tops Arsenal, and are five points behind Martin Ødeegaard’s side following their away win.
