Goals in either half from N’Golo Kante and David Luiz saw Chelsea end Premier League champions Manchester City’s unbeaten start to season with a 2-0 win, plus confirm the loss of the leadership.
City started brightly, in a battle of sides without a recognised striker. But France anchorman Kante would emerge on the stroke of half time to rifle in the first.
A new confidence defined Chelsea, who’d lost two of their last three top-flight fixtures, after the break. Their lead would be doubled on 78 minutes through Brazil centre-back Luiz’s header.
THE GOOD – YES HE KAN
Blues manager Maurizio Sarri’s apparent scant regard for peerless defensive midfielder Kante has been the most-curious aspect of his reign.
The France international hasn’t been winning the ball back with the frequency of old in the Italian’s highly calibrated 4-3-3 system, or providing – unsurprisingly – the attacking impetus required when pushed up.
His talents, however, would come to the fore in a revitalising win against previously unbeaten, and seemingly unstoppable, opponents.
Kante showed a mastery of timing redolent of Napoli’s Marek Hamsik to smash in Belgium forward Eden Hazard’s cutback on the stroke of half time. Tackle and interception counts of just one don’t tell the story of a masterful second half where his mere presence helped turn out the lights on City’s usually glittering attack.
THE BAD – FLUFFING YOUR LINES
You could feel the frustration growing within City boss Pep Guardiola as his charges, first, failed to build on an authoritative start, and then steadily became second best to emboldened hosts.
Only four attempts on goal were recorded from the likes of Raheem Sterling and Leroy Sane by half time as their early momentum dissipated. This tally would grow to 14 by the final whistle – marginally less than a pre-match season’s average of 19.1 in the top flight.
Tellingly, an xG (expected goals) of 0.73 showcases a failure to craft quality chances at Stamford Bridge.
Alarmingly for Guardiola, the absence of the injured Sergio Aguero doesn’t fully account for this setback. He went with him and Brazil No9 Gabriel Jesus during October’s goalless draw at – new leaders – Liverpool; only six attempts followed.
A vulnerability against the Premier League’s elite is emerging.
With Liverpool enjoying a best-ever start to a season, simply blowing away the also-rans might not be enough in 2018/19.
6 - Eden Hazard's assist for N'Golo Kante's goal was just one of six passes that Chelsea completed in the final third of the pitch versus Manchester City in the opening 45 minutes of this match (Man City completed 53). Snatched. pic.twitter.com/ofH9akNgx8
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 8, 2018
KEY MOMENTS
33rd min CHANCE: Sterling artfully evades the challenge of Spain left-back Marcos Alonso and centres for Sane. The Germany winger seems certain for score, only for skipper Cesar Azpilicueta to pull off a fine block.
45th min GOAL: From out of nowhere, and against the run of play, Chelsea go ahead. A long ball is dropped behind England right-back Kyle Walker. The ball eventually makes its way to Hazard, who calmly pulls one back for the onrushing Kante to smash first time into the roof of the goal.
77 mins GOAL: Luiz produces a beguiling run, meandering across Ederson’s goalline. This allows him to rise unmarked to flick in Hazard’s corner.
94th min CHANCE: Kepa Arrizabalaga’s sloppy clearance eventually finds its way to substitute Jesus. A diving save provides instant redemption.
TACTICAL TURNING POINT – A FALSE START FOR CITY
When Guardiola and Sarri meet, tactical intrigue is guaranteed.
This time at the Bridge, two of this generation’s sharpest minds decided to dispense with traditional centre forwards from the start and deploy ‘false 9s’.
The extent that City swarmed over their hosts in the opening period is shown by a half-time statistic showing that Sterling had 40 touches to opposite number Hazard’s 17. Yet, the Belgium superstar came up with an astute assist for Kante while Sterling didn’t make the most of a few bright moments.
Guardiola had seen enough and Jesus was thrown on during the 53rd minute. But the damage would soon be doubled through Luiz.
MASSIVE RESULT.
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) December 8, 2018
A brilliant day's work for the Blues! 👏 #CHEMCI pic.twitter.com/tku9PJXXN4
VERDICTS
CHELSEA – A
There were heroes all over the pitch for Chelsea. Centre-backs Luiz and Antonio Rudiger were dominant, Kante came back to the fore and Hazard was a master of efficiency.
A title bid is, probably, gone, but their top-four hopes are strengthened.
MAN CITY – C
Did Guardiola simply overthink this clash?
City had scored five goals in the preceding two matches with Jesus starting. A change of approach contributed to a first loss.
Returns for Aguero and Belgium playmaker Kevin De Bruyne cannot come soon enough.
