Man City Overcome Early Setbacks to Beat Chelsea 3-1 as Sánchez Errors Prove Costly
Manchester City secured a 3-1 win over Chelsea despite a shaky debut from Abdukodir Khusanov, capitalising on critical errors from Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sánchez.
Original Source
The Times
Written by
Steve Worrell
Manchester City bounced back from a nightmare start, including a defensive blunder by debutant Abdukodir Khusanov, to defeat Chelsea 3-1 at the Etihad Stadium. Chelsea took an early lead but struggled to maintain their intensity as City exploited defensive vulnerabilities and Robert Sánchez's fifth error leading to a goal this season. Erling Haaland, Joško Gvardiol, and Phil Foden were instrumental in turning the tide, with City's direct approach paying dividends. The victory moves City above Chelsea in the Premier League standings, but questions linger over Chelsea's defensive setup and goalkeeper performance.
- Early Error from Khusanov:
- City debutant Khusanov misjudged a header, gifting Chelsea an opener scored by Noni Madueke after Nicolas Jackson's assist.
- The Uzbek defender struggled throughout the first half but received support from teammates and Pep Guardiola.
- Sánchez’s Costly Mistake:
- Robert Sánchez rushed out to intercept a long ball but was lobbed by Erling Haaland, marking his fifth goal-conceding error this season.
- Sánchez’s performance has intensified calls for his replacement, with Filip Jorgensen waiting in the wings.
- City’s Resilience and Tactical Shift:
- City bypassed Chelsea's high line with a direct approach, using Ederson’s long balls to create chances.
- Goals from Gvardiol, Haaland, and Foden highlighted City's ability to adapt and capitalise on Chelsea’s defensive frailties.
- Chelsea’s Decline in Confidence:
- Chelsea’s high defensive line and lack of sustained pressing left them vulnerable to City’s counter-attacks.
- Despite taking an early lead, Chelsea faded quickly, with their defensive setup and Sánchez’s form under scrutiny.
- Guardiola Praises Marmoush:
- New signing Omar Marmoush impressed with his movement and energy, though his debut goal was ruled offside.
- Key Stats:
- City dominated possession (57%) and created more shots on target (6 to Chelsea’s 4).
- Both teams committed fouls, but City’s direct approach ultimately exposed Chelsea’s defensive weaknesses.
Copy article link
More On This Story
More sources covering the same story appear below 👇
Photo Credit
LEE SMITH/REUTERS
Written by
Steve Worrell
Steve, Co-founder of The 1905 Club, created the platform to provide honest, clickbait-free Chelsea FC content. He worked at Stamford Bridge from 2013 to 2016 with a Champions League sponsor. His first Chelsea match was a 1-0 win at Leeds in 2000, and his favourite was the epic 2012 Champions League game against Napoli.
