Man City close gap after 3 0 win at Chelsea

Manchester City moved to within six points of Arsenal at the top of the Premier League table after a commanding 3 0 victory over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Sunday evening.

Pep Guardiola’s men turned on the style in the second half to secure the win, with goals from Nico O’Reilly, Marc Guehi and Jeremy Doku proving decisive in London. The result sets up a mouth watering clash between the top two when City host Arsenal next Sunday at the Etihad Stadium.

City now sit second on 64 points from 31 matches, while Arsenal remain top on 70 points after 32 games. The title race has taken on fresh life with just a handful of fixtures remaining.

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The first half ended goalless, although both sides created chances. Chelsea thought they had taken the lead in the 17th minute when Marc Cucurella finished neatly into the far corner after being picked out by Joao Pedro, but the flag was up for offside.

Cole Palmer was heavily involved for the hosts, forcing Gianluigi Donnarumma into action and firing into the side netting from a tight angle. At the other end, Nico O’Reilly and Rayan Cherki both tested Robert Sanchez as City enjoyed long spells of possession. Statistics showed the visitors completed 344 passes in the opening half, the most by a visiting team at Stamford Bridge in the first half of a Premier League match since records began in 2003 to 04.

Despite the even contest before the break, City returned with greater intent in the second half.

The breakthrough came in the 51st minute. Rayan Cherki delivered an inch perfect cross from the right towards the back post and Nico O’Reilly rose to head home from close range, giving City a vital lead in the context of the title race.

Andy Townsend, speaking as a Premier League pundit, said: “How on earth has Nico O’Reilly got a clear header there? Andrey Santos tries to block instead of challenge, it’s a really good header, big goal and it’s been a second-half with real intent from City, right from the off.”

City doubled their advantage in the 57th minute through Marc Guehi. Cherki weaved past several challenges before slipping the ball to Guehi, whose first touch set him perfectly before he lashed a low shot beyond Sanchez.

Townsend reacted: “The first touch is absolutely perfect, watch the way he opens up his body up and takes it on his right foot, wonderful stuff, perfect first touch that gives him the chance to knock it into the back of the net, a brilliant finish.”

Jeremy Doku sealed the victory in the 68th minute after Chelsea lost possession deep in their own half. The Belgian winger pounced on the loose ball and slotted home with his left foot to make it 3 0.

Michael Owen described it as “A real statement performance, wasn’t it? What a weekend for Manchester City, not only have they gained three points on their big rivals but also gained a good goal difference, it could come down to goal difference. Just what Manchester City needed.”

Chelsea struggled in front of goal yet again and have now gone three Premier League matches without scoring, a run stretching 345 minutes. Their head coach Liam Rosenior made several changes in the second half, introducing Romeo Lavia, Alejandro Garnacho, Liam Delap and Dario Essugo, but the breakthrough never came.

After the final whistle, Marc Guehi said: “I think especially in the second half we did well. We just want to get better as as group. We have to keep our feet on the ground, recover and move onto the next one.”

On whether Arsenal would be watching closely, he added: “I don’t think it matters [if Arsenal are watching]. The most important thing was us doing the job today. Everyone did their jobs today.”

Joe Cole was critical of Chelsea’s display, saying: “I was hopeful of a performance and they just weren’t at it. Lacklustre in every department, didn’t really create many chances, off-the-ball quite passive, Manchester City clicked into gear and looked like a team going for the title while the other were faltering.

“It’s really frustrating because it’s the same patterns over and over again, whenever they step up to the top table, they always fall short.”