De Bruyne’s goal seals important win for Manchester City over Chelsea

Manchester City took a significant step towards retaining the Premier League trophy with a 1-0 home win against title challengers Chelsea.

De Bruyne’s 70th-minute stunning strike was enough to see off the London side who struggled to offer much in an attacking sense throughout the game. It means City have achieved important home and away victories against the Blues this season, repeating the same 1-0 scoreline they achieved back in September at Stamford Bridge.

There was much anticipation ahead of Saturday’s lunchtime match with the Champions of England hosting the Champions of Europe in a top of the table clash.

Chelsea fans started the match in joyful mood, mocking the City fans with dozens of silver Champions League Trophy signs glistening in the afternoon sunshine, reminding their hosts of the painful defeat in the Final back in May last year. However, it did little to put off the Manchester City players who drove forward in waves in the first half. Chelsea tried to soak up the pressure and hit on the counter but their moves broke down all too quickly.

Jack Grealish should have had the hosts ahead halfway through the first half when he was gifted a great chance following a defensive mistake. However, Kepa Arrizabalaga spread himself well and managed to deflect the ball narrowly past the post.

Chelsea had a decent opportunity against the run of play early in the second half with Romelu Lukaku racing onto a through ball but his shot from outside the box was pushed away brilliantly by Ederson and Hakim Ziyech blasted the rebound wildly over the crossbar.

It took until the 70th minute for City’s dominance in possession to pay off. Kevin De Bruyne skipped past a lunging challenge from N’Golo Kanté, and just when the ball seemed to get lost under the Belgian’s legs as he approached the Chelsea box, he readjusted himself well and hit a curling shot low and hard into the bottom corner of the net.

That strike was enough to secure the 1-0 victory for City, their third one-goal margin league victory in a row.

Chelsea’s manager Thomas Tuchel paid tribute to the Belgian midfielder after the match and the sheer ‘individual quality’ he brings to the City side.

“The individual quality of Kevin De Bruyne made the difference. We struggled offensively to show the type of quality to really hurt them and score the first goal and bring some doubts into their game.”

Man City’s 12th league victory in a row extends their lead over Chelsea to a sizeable 13 points. Liverpool’s 3-0 Sunday win over Brentford resulted in the Reds leap-frogging the Blues into second and now sit 11 points behind the current Premier League champions with a game in hand.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola emphasised there was still plenty to play for in the title race.

“In January no-one is champion. If Liverpool win their game in hand against Leeds then it will be eight points and eight points is nothing in January.”

City take on Southampton away from home in their next Premier League encounter whilst Chelsea travel to Brighton & Hove Albion in midweek.

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