In a game that decided the Premier League title race, Chelsea FC emerged as the victors over Manchester City FC. The Blues first game at Stamford Bridge since Project Restart saw the hosts beat Manchester City FC 2-1.
The match between the two sides was always going to be a key fixture. Manchester City FC required a win to stay in the Premier League title race, whereas Chelsea FC could increase their gap on fifth-placed Manchester United FC with a victory.
Manchester City FC started the game without a recognized striker in their starting lineup. With Sergio Aguero sidelined due to an injury, Pep Guardiola chose not to start Gabriel Jesus due to the Brazilian’s lack of match fitness. Instead, Bernardo Silva was played as false 9, flanked by Sterling and Mahrez on either wing.
Frank Lampard gave a start to Ross Barkley in the Chelsea FC midfield, with the former Everton player replacing Ruben Loftus-Cheek. Olivier Giroud was the Blues first-choice striker on the pitch, and Willian and Cristian Pulisic completed Chelsea FC’s front three.
The game started with Giroud and Pulisic threatening to expose the Manchester City FC defence through their attacking linkup. However, Laporte and Fernandinho were more than a match for the Blues attackers.
Chelsea FC had a scare when Bernardo Silva nearly scored off an error by the Blues goalkeeper Kepa. However, the Spaniard was able to regain his composure and held the ball. The 25-year old then saved a header from Fernandinho, tipping the ball over the goalpost.
Pulisic continued his recent streak of great form, with the American making the most of Mendy and Gundogan’s miscommunication and speeding past the two players. The 21-year old then calmly slotted the ball past Ederson, to give a 1-0 lead to the hosts.
Chelsea FC deservedly led the game at when the whistle blew for half time. The Blues had thwarted the opposition attacks and made the most of their opportunity on goal. Manchester City FC, however, seemed to be missing the clinical ability of Aguero in front of goal.
After the second half began, a ferocious shot by Benjamin Mendy was bravely blocked by Blues centre-back Andreas Christensen. The Dane had to be subsequently treated by the Chelsea FC medical staff on the pitch following his block. However, the player was allowed to continue.
A foul by N’Golo Kante on Mahrez gave the visitors a free-kick from an enticing position. Kevin De Bruyne took the set-piece with perfection and shot the ball into the top corner to level the score.
The following minutes of the game saw great attacks from both sets of players. Mahrez set up Sterling with a wonderful pass, however, the English winger could only hit the post.
Blues substitute Mason Mount too had a great opportunity to restore the Blues lead after an error by Ederson. However, the midfielder shot the ball into the side netting.
The most thrilling opportunity came to the way of Pulisic, who eased past the Manchester City FC defenders and angled a shot towards the goal. However, the sprinting Kyle Walker was able to clear the ball off the line.
Another Blues attack saw Pulisic and Tammy Abraham unable to convert another chance after being denied by Fernandinho’s effort on the line. However, after strong appeals, the referee pointed towards a VAR decision.
It was noted that Fernandinho had handled the ball in the Manchester City FC penalty area. VAR’s decision turned out to be a penalty to the hosts and a red card for the offence to the Manchester City FC captain.
Willian converted the spot-kick with ease and restored Chelsea FC’s lead back to 2-1. With the visitors left with only ten players on the pitch, it seemed difficult for them to get back into the match.
The final whistle soon blew, and the Blues got their deserved victory over the second-placed Manchester City FC. However, the cheers from the Liverpool FC fans were supposed to be greater than that of the Blues supporters as it gave the Reds their first Premier League title in 30 years.
MATCH STATS
SCORE: 2-1
Possession: Chelsea FC- 35% Manchester City FC- 65%
Corners: Chelsea FC- 5 Manchester CityFC- 7
Shots: Chelsea FC- 15 Manchester CityFC- 11
Offsides: Chelsea FC- 1 Manchester CityFC- 1
