Manchester City fights back to overcome Chelsea
Second-half goals from Erling Haaland and Phil Foden helped Manchester City to a 3-1 victory over Chelsea, as it replaced the Blues in the Premier League's top four.
Noni Madueke punished a glaring error from City debutant Abdukodir Khusanov early on as Chelsea looked to move five points clear of a rival for UEFA Champions League qualification.
Khusanov's attempted header back to Ederson in the third minute was intercepted by Nicolas Jackson, who squared for Madueke to tap home.
However, City began to exert control in an action-packed first half, with Foden striking the post and Josko Gvardiol missing two big chances, while new boy Omar Marmoush saw a close-range finish chalked off for offside.
However, it was third time lucky for Gvardiol as he pounced to tap home when Robert Sanchez could only parry Matheus Nunes' shot, kickstarting City's comeback.
After 68 minutes, Haaland latched onto Ederson's long punt forward and lobbed Sanchez to put City ahead, then Foden raced clear to make the points safe two minutes from time.
The victory takes City up to fourth in the table on 41 points, ahead of fifth-placed Newcastle United on goal difference and one clear of Chelsea and Bournemouth.
Pep Guardiola hailed City's powers of recovery after the match.
"We have struggled lately, and it has been a tough, tough season. Most players have been here eight or nine years, and I am not going to change my opinion in two months," Guardiola said.
"We have to realise it is not enough, what we are doing. I asked them to step up and we did it. We created enough chances to score goals and, in the end, I am really pleased.
"Emotionally, they came back incredibly well. Chelsea, we know the talent they have – it was really good. We were tired because we have an old team.
"We have had a tough period because playing Ipswich and then three days ago in Paris, it was really tough for us physically."
City enjoyed 57 per cent of the possession and Guardiola says taking greater care of the ball was key, adding: "If we don't pass the ball, we are one of the worst teams. We need the ball to survive."
