Quiet Premier League debut for Zack Steffen as Manchester City ease past Chelsea

Manchester City made light work of Chelsea as the Citizens were victorious 3-1 at Stamford Bridge. 

İlkay Gündoğan, Phil Foden and Kevin de Bruyne put the away team three goals ahead before Callum Hudson-Odoi scored a consolation goal late on.

The occasion also saw Pep Guardiola hand Zack Steffen his Premier League debut as his first-choice goalkeeper, Ederson Moraes, had fallen ill to COVID-19.

It was a less than perfect start for the American as he gave away an indirect free-kick within the first four minutes.

Steffen must have thought Rodri’s back-pass had taken a heavy nick off one of the Chelsea players who were swarming his teammate, as when the ball arrived in his box he didn’t think twice before picking it up. Fortunately, Hakim Ziyech’s attempt from the resulting free-kick was no problem for the 25-year-old.

Any nerves that Steffen may have had heading into the game were surely dwindling after 21 minutes as the Citizens had stormed into a quickfire 2-0 lead, courtesy of goals from Gündoğan and Foden. 

Gündoğan received the ball off Foden on the edge of the Chelsea box, his intricate turn got the better of Thiago Silva before he drilled his shot into the bottom right-hand corner, past Edouard Mendy, to put Guardiola’s men ahead after 17 minutes.

Four minutes later, the provider turned goalscorer as Foden doubled the visitors’ lead. Just inside the area, De Bruyne’s short pass found the youngster, who swept his left-footed effort in at the near post. A classy first time finish from one of England’s most promising midfielders. 

Steffen’s next involvement was just before the half an hour mark, again receiving the ball from a teammate. The former Columbus Crew shot-stopper simply held onto the ball following a cushioned Rúben Dias header. 

It was 3-0 after 31 minutes as De Bruyne added Manchester City’s third. The Belgian started the move with a headed clearance that fell straight into the path of Raheem Sterling. After bursting away from N’Golo Kanté, Sterling struck the post only for KDB to pounce with a neat touch and finish to increase the deficit. 

Chelsea captain Cèsar Azpilicueta then forced the debutant into making a save just before half-time. The 31-year-old rose highest after a set-piece but produced little power on his header, gifting Steffen an easy catch to make. 

The shot-stopper was called into action again in the 54th minute when Mason Mount tried a curled attempt from just outside the box. Similarly to his captain’s shot beforehand, his effort lacked power, leaving Steffen to effortlessly fall onto the ball and make his second comfortable save of the evening. 

Mateo Kovačić then aimed fire just moments later, it was enough to make the City keeper move, unlike the previous attempts, but the ball flew wide and proved no trouble once again for 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup runner-up. 

Steffen could have then stood still until the dying embers of the game as Chelsea’s next shot on target came in the final minute of injury time. Callum Hudson-Odoi found the back of the net to ruin the debutant’s clean sheet dream. 

Mount provided the assist for Hudson-Odoi from the left-hand side as the 21-year-old sent an inviting ball across the face of goal and into the path of his fellow academy graduate who finished with aplomb. Steffen appeared rooted to the spot on this occasion, in reality, it would’ve been harsh to expect a save from that position. 

It’s unlikely that we’ll see much more of Steffen in league action this season due to the sheer excellence of Ederson, however, keep your eyes peeled for City’s future cup fixtures as Guardiola seems to trust the 6ft 3in goalie ahead of former England international Scott Carson.

We may see him add to his three EFL Cup appearances and one Champions League appearance though as there will be an FA Cup fixture or two for the Citizen’s no. 13 to try and showcase his talent before the season draws to a close. 

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