After the 90 minutes of action at Etihad on Sunday, Gary Neville branded Chelsea’s display as “unacceptable’.
He added that “They intent just isn’t there despite the fact that they were just one goal down.”
“The Blues haven’t even had a shot on target and almost concede another after Sane’s ball flashes across the face of goal with nobody on the end of it.”
‘Chelsea haven’t replaced Diego Costa’
In the view of Stephen Warnock, Ex-Liverpool defender on BBC Radio 5 Live who also reacted to the unimpressive side at Etihad he opined, “Chelsea haven’t replaced Diego Costa at all. With Costa today, it would’ve been a completely different game against this Manchester City team.”
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola, speaking to BBC Sport: “It was so important, a win today is another step closer. We need four victories to be champions, it is in our hands and if our behavior is like today we will be champions.
“Against a strong team like Chelsea, who are still the champions, and beat them in the way we did today, that is why it is so good.
“I never judge what the other guy does. Who can forget the same manager and almost same players were champions last year.
“Our performance today was so good in terms of control and attacking at the right moment. Everybody was good.”
Live Commentaries Below:
90+5′
Manchester City with a deserved victory after a fine display
90+5′
That’s it! The referee blows the final whistle
90+5′
The home team have had 71% of possession compared to the away team’s 29%
90+5′
Goal kick for Manchester City
90+4′
Marcos Alonso from Chelsea sends an effort wide of target
90+4′
Alvaro Morata puts in a dangerous cross…
90+4′
Chelsea take a throw-in in the opponent’s half of the field
90+3′
David Silva is leaving the field to be replaced by Phil Foden in a tactical substitution.
90+3′
Leroy Sane fails to find the target with a shot from outside the box
90+1′
Nicolas Otamendi relieves the pressure with a clearance
90+1′
Marcos Alonso puts in a dangerous cross…
90+1′
The fourth official shows there are 4 minute(s) of time to be added
Three minutes plus stoppage time remaining
Danilo comes on for Zinchenko to freshen things up at the back. Chelsea are running out of time for an equaliser and in truth it wouldn’t be deserved but where there’s life there’s hope for the Blues.
Jesus on for Aguero
Aguero looks at the ground, his disappointed not to score, the first home game he’s not scored in in eight. Jesus, returning to full fitness makes his way onto the pitch.
A Chelsea corner…
Ten minutes to play and there are finally signs of life from the champions. Giroud is on and Emerson too. A roll of the dice and it’s about time. They force a corner but the delivery is dreadful.
Gary Neville dubs Chelsea’s performance ‘unacceptable’
Gary Neville branded Chelsea’s display so far as unacceptable. They might only be a goal down but the intent just isn’t there. The Blues haven’t even had a shot on target and almost concede another after Sane’s ball flashes across the face of goal with nobody on the end of it.
86′
Manchester City take a throw-in in the opponent’s half of the field
85′
Sergio Aguero is leaving the field to be replaced by Gabriel Jesus in a tactical substitution.
85′
The home team have had 74% of possession compared to the away team’s 26%
84′
Chelsea take a throw-in in the opponent’s half of the field
82′
Pedro Rodriguez is leaving the field to be replaced by Emerson in a tactical substitution.
81′
Kyle Walker relieves the pressure with a clearance
81′
Cesc Fabregas from Chelsea swings in the corner from the left.
80′
Pedro Rodriguez from Chelsea tries to pick out a team-mate in the area but his cross is blocked by an opponent.
80′
The home team have had 76% of possession compared to the away team’s 24%
79′
Andreas Christensen from Chelsea tries to head the ball to a team mate, but the keeper comes out and claims it.
79′
Bernardo Silva puts in a dangerous cross…
78′
That looked a fine chance. Leroy Sane from Manchester City directs a ball squarely in the box, but it comes to nothing in the end
78′
Victor Moses from Chelsea looks to have committed a foul on Leroy Sane but the referee is not having it and waves play on!
76′
The pitch is wet and slippery and it is not helping the players.
75′
The home team have had 76% of possession compared to the away team’s 24%
73′
Manchester City take a throw-in in the opponent’s half of the field
71′
Today’s attendance is 54328
70′
Safe hands from Ederson Moraes as he comes out and claims the ball
70′
That’s a great ball by Pedro Rodriguez from Chelsea. He directs the ball behind the defence, but the chance eventually goes begging
70′
Pedro Rodriguez from Chelsea takes the ball forward trying to make something happen…
70′
The match is very one-sided right now. Manchester City are clearly dominating possession
70′
The home team have had 75% of possession compared to the away team’s 25%
68′
Goal kick for Chelsea
68′
Bernardo Silva from Manchester City crosses the ball, but his team mate arrives a little late and can’t benefit from it.
68′
Great skill from Bernardo Silva as he dribbles past his opponents
68′
Could be a good chance here as Kevin De Bruyne from Manchester City cuts the opponents defense open with a through ball…
67′
Goal kick for Chelsea
66′
Kevin De Bruyne goes for goal, but his effort was never close to hitting the target.
66′
Chelsea take a throw-in in the opponent’s half of the field
65′
Willian from Chelsea tries to pick out a team-mate in the area but his cross is blocked by an opponent.
65′
Eden Hazard of Chelsea passes the ball to a team mate.
65′
Eden Hazard from Chelsea takes the ball forward trying to make something happen…
65′
The home team have had 75% of possession compared to the away team’s 25%
64′
Safe hands from Thibaut Courtois as he comes out and claims the ball
64′
Poor play by Andreas Christensen as his weak attempt to clear the ball puts his side under pressure
64′
Leroy Sane puts in a dangerous cross…
62′
It’s raining, making conditions difficult for the players.
61′
The referee signals a free kick as Oleksandr Zinchenko from Manchester City trips Victor Moses
60′
Goal kick for Chelsea
59′
Kevin De Bruyne from Manchester City swings in the corner from the right.
59′
Cesc Fabregas clears the danger but is forced to give away a corner…
58′
Kevin De Bruyne from Manchester City swings in the corner from the right.
58′
David Silva sees his shot deflected off target
58′
Sergio Aguero of Manchester City passes the ball to a team mate.
58′
Kevin De Bruyne puts in a dangerous cross…
58′
Antonio Ruediger from Chelsea is booked after several commited fouls.
57′
Obstruction as Antonio Ruediger cuts off the run of Bernardo Silva. A free-kick is awarded.
56′
Goal kick for Chelsea
56′
Manchester City take a throw-in in the opponent’s half of the field
56′
Cesar Azpilicueta relieves the pressure with a clearance
56′
Thibaut Courtois saved a certain goal there! David Silva found himself in a great scoring position but Thibaut Courtois denied him with a great save
56′
Great skill from David Silva as he dribbles past his opponents
55′
The home team have had 74% of possession compared to the away team’s 26%
54′
Goal kick for Manchester City
54′
Victor Moses goes for goal, but his effort was never close to hitting the target.
54′
Could be a good chance here as Cesc Fabregas from Chelsea cuts the opponents defense open with a through ball…
54′
Cesc Fabregas from Chelsea takes the ball forward trying to make something happen…
53′
The game is in a period of relative inactivity, with neither side able to apply pressure.
50′
The home team have had 76% of possession compared to the away team’s 24%
49′
Chelsea take a throw-in in the opponent’s half of the field
The home team have had 76% of possession compared to the away team’s 24%
49′
Chelsea take a throw-in in the opponent’s half of the field
49′
The game is restarted
48′
Eden Hazard is down injured and receives medical treatment on the field.
48′
Play has been stopped because there is a player lying on the pitch.
48′
Yellow card for Ilkay Guendogan
47′
Reckless challenge there. Ilkay Guendogan commits a rough foul on Eden Hazard
46′
David Silva provided the assist for the goal.
46′
GOAL! MAN CITY 1-0 CHELSEA (B Silva 46)
Deadlock broken.
Chelsea held out for 45 minutes in the first half, but they have only managed to keep City out for 34 seconds of the second half.
David Silva wins it on the left side of the box and plays it across the middle, where Alonso is not alert to Bernardo Silva sneaking in behind him and finishing past Courtois.
46′
David Silva puts in a dangerous cross…
46′
The second half is underway
SECOND HALF
No changes at the break and City get the game restarted…
MAN CITY 0-0 CHELSEA
And that is half-time.
City have dominated possession (77%) and passes (504 to 142) but haven’t created many clear chances and it’s still level.
Jamie Redknapp on Sky Sports: “I am not enjoying watching Chelsea but Man City have had one shot on target and Conte will be looking at it and thinking they will get one chance.
“In Hazard I see a player who has not enjoyed the first 45 minutes. His body language is wrong. He is a special player but he needs someone to link with. There is an argument to say if they had played Giroud or Morata they might be losing 1-0 but I don’t agree with that.”
45: Just one minute to be added on.
44: Rudiger almost manages to pick out Moses with a ball over the top, but it’s just a touch overhit.
Chelsea have had a couple of openings on the break but they haven’t been able to pick out the right pass.
42: OFFSIDE! The ball is in the net as City take a quick free-kick and Aguero slides, flicks it past Courtois and Otamendi finishes at the back post. But the flag is rightly up for offside.
Aguero didn’t need to go that early, it looked like City had caught Chelsea out anyway.
40: Hazard show his frustration at a pass whacked down the line towards nobody in particular.
It’s still 0-0 and Chelsea are still very much in the game, but they are not showing much attacking ambition.
37: A bit more from Gary Neville as City continue to pass and pass and Chelsea continue to defend and defend: “Hazard looks disinterested. This is not just for him at all.”
Hazard has only had seven touches so far.
36 mins: Without Morata or Giroud up front, Hazard is ploughing the lonely furrow and has hardly had a kick.
Conte’s men just aren’t playing when they get the ball and the Belgian is looking frustrated up there.
32 mins: That Zinchenko challenge has upped the temperature of this and the crowd are fully involved. Both sets of players are fully committed and there’s a bit of bite to the tackles now flying in. Still City in the ascendancy but they haven’t created a clear-cut chance yet.
26: BLOCK! Off the line by Azpilicueta!
It’s superb from Sane as his first touch from De Bruyne’s deep free-kick takes him inside and then with his second he fires goalwards. He must be thinking he has scored as it flies past Courtois, but Azpilicueta is there to block on the line.
24: SHOT! This is what Chelsea are playing for.
Zinchenko dives in rashly on Moses, doesn’t get near the ball, and the visitors can break down the right through Willian. He drives goalwards and gets off a shot which is blocked in the middle.
Zinchenko booked for the tackle, which was not a good one.
22: Chelsea’s passing has not been good enough. They haven’t had the ball much and they have given it away far too many times when they have.
20: CLOSE! Almost another brilliant curling finish from Bernardo Silva.
He scored one like this against Arsenal on Thursday and he tries again, checking inside on the right side of the box and curling a shot towards the far corner, but it’s just over the bar.
18: Ederson called into action to come out and deal with a long ball over the top towards Hazard. The goalkeeper does well to flick it away from danger.
16: Chelsea are continuing to play four in midfield when they don’t have the ball, which is most of the time. Hazard is having very little impact on the match, he’s only had one touch.
14: CHANCE! Chelsea overplay in their own box and almost get caught out.
It’s Fabregas who loses the ball with a pass backwards that’s cut out by Sane. He plays it inside for Aguero, who drives across goal and then shoots, but it’s blocked
12: SHOT! Sane has a swing at a low cross from the left but doesn’t make a good connection and drags the shot well wide. City yet to create a clear chance.
11: City are so comfortable in possession that Ederson wanders out midway inside his own half to get involved in a move. There’s no Chelsea pressure on the ball high up the pitch.
9: Pass, pass, pass. City continue to probe and press, looking for a way through. Chelsea are holding a decent shape though.
7: This game has started in similar fashion to Chelsea’s recent clash with Barcelona in the Champions League.
Chelsea are sitting back, getting everyone except Hazard behind the ball and letting City enjoy most of the possession.
5: David Silva looking lively in the early stages as he drifts outside Fabregas in the box and pulls back a cross which Courtois dives out to claim.
All City so far.
3: Not what Chelsea want – De Bruyne in space around 30 yards out and with time to turn. Fortunately for the visitors his ball through for Aguero is well cut out by Azpilicueta
2: Chelsea lining up as expected with Hazard as the striker, but Willian and Pedro are helping out alongside Drinkwater and Fabregas to form a midfield four.
1: And we are off. Chelsea in all blue, City in sky blue…
FIRST HALF
Pre -match Analysis
See team news below for Today’s Super Sunday Premier League clash at Etihad.
Chelsea plays away against title leader Man City
The match goes live by 5pm local time.
CHELSEA TEAM NEWS
Team to play Man City: Courtois, Moses, Rudiger, Christensen, Azpilicueta, Alonso, Drinkwater, Fabregas, Willian, Pedro, Hazard
With Manchester United not in action until tomorrow, when they face Crystal Palace on Monday Night Football, City can go 18 points clear at the top of the table with a win today.
Results yesterday did not go in Chelsea’s favour as both Tottenham and Liverpool won.
Antonio Conte’s side are now five points behind fourth-placed Spurs and seven behind Liverpool.
After the 90 minutes of action at Etihad on Sunday, Gary Neville branded Chelsea’s display as “unacceptable’.
He added that “They intent just isn’t there despite the fact that they were just one goal down.”
“The Blues haven’t even had a shot on target and almost concede another after Sane’s ball flashes across the face of goal with nobody on the end of it.”
‘Chelsea haven’t replaced Diego Costa’
In the view of Stephen Warnock, Ex-Liverpool defender on BBC Radio 5 Live who also reacted to the unimpressive side at Etihad he opined, “Chelsea haven’t replaced Diego Costa at all. With Costa today, it would’ve been a completely different game against this Manchester City team.”
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola, speaking to BBC Sport: “It was so important, a win today is another step closer. We need four victories to be champions, it is in our hands and if our behavior is like today we will be champions.
“Against a strong team like Chelsea, who are still the champions, and beat them in the way we did today, that is why it is so good.
“I never judge what the other guy does. Who can forget the same manager and almost same players were champions last year.
“Our performance today was so good in terms of control and attacking at the right moment. Everybody was good.”
Live Commentaries Below:
Danilo comes on for Zinchenko to freshen things up at the back. Chelsea are running out of time for an equaliser and in truth it wouldn’t be deserved but where there’s life there’s hope for the Blues.
Aguero looks at the ground, his disappointed not to score, the first home game he’s not scored in in eight. Jesus, returning to full fitness makes his way onto the pitch.
Ten minutes to play and there are finally signs of life from the champions. Giroud is on and Emerson too. A roll of the dice and it’s about time. They force a corner but the delivery is dreadful.
Gary Neville branded Chelsea’s display so far as unacceptable. They might only be a goal down but the intent just isn’t there. The Blues haven’t even had a shot on target and almost concede another after Sane’s ball flashes across the face of goal with nobody on the end of it.
GOAL! MAN CITY 1-0 CHELSEA (B Silva 46)
Deadlock broken.
Chelsea held out for 45 minutes in the first half, but they have only managed to keep City out for 34 seconds of the second half.
David Silva wins it on the left side of the box and plays it across the middle, where Alonso is not alert to Bernardo Silva sneaking in behind him and finishing past Courtois.
SECOND HALF
No changes at the break and City get the game restarted…
And that is half-time.
City have dominated possession (77%) and passes (504 to 142) but haven’t created many clear chances and it’s still level.
Jamie Redknapp on Sky Sports: “I am not enjoying watching Chelsea but Man City have had one shot on target and Conte will be looking at it and thinking they will get one chance.
“In Hazard I see a player who has not enjoyed the first 45 minutes. His body language is wrong. He is a special player but he needs someone to link with. There is an argument to say if they had played Giroud or Morata they might be losing 1-0 but I don’t agree with that.”
45: Just one minute to be added on.
44: Rudiger almost manages to pick out Moses with a ball over the top, but it’s just a touch overhit.
Chelsea have had a couple of openings on the break but they haven’t been able to pick out the right pass.
42: OFFSIDE! The ball is in the net as City take a quick free-kick and Aguero slides, flicks it past Courtois and Otamendi finishes at the back post. But the flag is rightly up for offside.
Aguero didn’t need to go that early, it looked like City had caught Chelsea out anyway.
40: Hazard show his frustration at a pass whacked down the line towards nobody in particular.
It’s still 0-0 and Chelsea are still very much in the game, but they are not showing much attacking ambition.
37: A bit more from Gary Neville as City continue to pass and pass and Chelsea continue to defend and defend: “Hazard looks disinterested. This is not just for him at all.”
Hazard has only had seven touches so far.
36 mins: Without Morata or Giroud up front, Hazard is ploughing the lonely furrow and has hardly had a kick.
Conte’s men just aren’t playing when they get the ball and the Belgian is looking frustrated up there.
32 mins: That Zinchenko challenge has upped the temperature of this and the crowd are fully involved. Both sets of players are fully committed and there’s a bit of bite to the tackles now flying in. Still City in the ascendancy but they haven’t created a clear-cut chance yet.
26: BLOCK! Off the line by Azpilicueta!
It’s superb from Sane as his first touch from De Bruyne’s deep free-kick takes him inside and then with his second he fires goalwards. He must be thinking he has scored as it flies past Courtois, but Azpilicueta is there to block on the line.
24: SHOT! This is what Chelsea are playing for.
Zinchenko dives in rashly on Moses, doesn’t get near the ball, and the visitors can break down the right through Willian. He drives goalwards and gets off a shot which is blocked in the middle.
Zinchenko booked for the tackle, which was not a good one.
22: Chelsea’s passing has not been good enough. They haven’t had the ball much and they have given it away far too many times when they have.
20: CLOSE! Almost another brilliant curling finish from Bernardo Silva.
He scored one like this against Arsenal on Thursday and he tries again, checking inside on the right side of the box and curling a shot towards the far corner, but it’s just over the bar.
18: Ederson called into action to come out and deal with a long ball over the top towards Hazard. The goalkeeper does well to flick it away from danger.
16: Chelsea are continuing to play four in midfield when they don’t have the ball, which is most of the time. Hazard is having very little impact on the match, he’s only had one touch.
14: CHANCE! Chelsea overplay in their own box and almost get caught out.
It’s Fabregas who loses the ball with a pass backwards that’s cut out by Sane. He plays it inside for Aguero, who drives across goal and then shoots, but it’s blocked
12: SHOT! Sane has a swing at a low cross from the left but doesn’t make a good connection and drags the shot well wide. City yet to create a clear chance.
11: City are so comfortable in possession that Ederson wanders out midway inside his own half to get involved in a move. There’s no Chelsea pressure on the ball high up the pitch.
9: Pass, pass, pass. City continue to probe and press, looking for a way through. Chelsea are holding a decent shape though.
7: This game has started in similar fashion to Chelsea’s recent clash with Barcelona in the Champions League.
Chelsea are sitting back, getting everyone except Hazard behind the ball and letting City enjoy most of the possession.
5: David Silva looking lively in the early stages as he drifts outside Fabregas in the box and pulls back a cross which Courtois dives out to claim.
All City so far.
3: Not what Chelsea want – De Bruyne in space around 30 yards out and with time to turn. Fortunately for the visitors his ball through for Aguero is well cut out by Azpilicueta
1: And we are off. Chelsea in all blue, City in sky blue…