Manchester City overcame a slow start to defeat Chelsea 3-0 at Stamford Bridge and cut Arsenal's lead at the Premier League to six points.
Pep Guardiola's side will go within three points of the Gunners if they defeat them in a titanic showdown at the Etihad Stadium next week, and they still have a game in hand to come after that.
Things were far from comfortable for them in the first half of Sunday's game, but a second-half masterclass inspired by Rayan Cherki helped them pull clear.
Chelsea had the better chances in the early stages as Cole Palmer and Joao Pedro lashed into the side netting, while Marc Cucurella finished across Gianluigi Donnarumma, though he did so from an offside position.
City's only real opportunity of the first half saw Robert Sanchez deny Bernardo Silva from close quarters, but it was a totally different game after the interval as the visitors upped the ante.
O'Reilly met Cherki's cross with a towering header past Sanchez in the 51st minute, and only six minutes later, the Frenchman provided an even better assist, gliding across the box before slipping a neat pass into Marc Guehi, who finished like a centre-forward.
It was game over when Moises Caicedo was caught in possession by Doku, who advanced into the area before finishing inside the near post in the 68th minute, and Donnarumma preserved his clean sheet with a late stop to keep out Cucurella's header.
Data Debrief: Assist king Cherki turns the title race?
After a tense first 45 minutes, City needed one of their star players to step up, and though O'Reilly, Guehi and Doku got the goals, it was Cherki who provided the spark.
Two assists in six minutes from the former Lyon man changed the game, and potentially this season's title race. He has now teed up 10 goals for team-mates in the Premier League this term.
He is the first player to register 10 assists in his debut Premier League campaign since Dimitri Payet for West Ham in 2015-16.
Cherki has also registered multiple assists in four different games across all competitions this season, more than any other player from Europe's top five leagues, ahead of Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes (three). Both of the chances he created here resulted in goals.
Chelsea, meanwhile, have lost three straight Premier League games without scoring for the first time since March 1998 (four), having registered fewer shots (12 to 18), shots on target (three to eight) and expected goals (1.14 xG to 1.89) than City.
resabekpst
1
hear this king of fools. You're claiming to be in Derby meanwhile you're in Nigeria. Yahoo boy,I teach students schooling in Europe online. Can you imagine how foolish you're. you gat no my shit,you don't eminem with a wrong nigga like me. stupid fake Derby boy.
You cant comprehend that the poor little African nations like Nigeria are dominated by Arsenal fans regarding football. I am a United Kingdom 🇬🇧 citizen, born and bred. Also proud of my culture, and you kept referring to me as your guy. I am married and heterosexual, but I’m not homophobic and i respect your honesty regarding your admittance of being homosexual. Has long as you are happy with being in the shit, or maybe find it difficult to sit, due to your painful arsehole. Try KY jelly it is said to be a good lubricant. The GHOST.!!!!
Buhbcenor
0
We Arsenal haters are still very active. We will make sure 💯 Arsenal ends this season trophyless. This is a good result to both Liverpool and Manchester City fans. Nothing for Arsenal.
Solidly behind your comments keep cooking each other, it gives me joy. Hala Madrid
Richard0010
0
We have got to get Fabregas, he has done amazing at Como. They are currently 2-0 up against Inter Milan, 10 shots to none. He will get them into the Champions League next season. He was an excellent player and captain for us. He wanted to come back but Wenger declined saying we had enough in midfield. He loves Arsenal. BRING HIM HOME.!!!!
You talk sense though but inter later won the game 4:3 at the end. Though i don’t expect the match will be tough like this. Salute 🫡 to Fabregas, he’s a good coach. Chelsea should come for him before other team hijack it. Real Madrid is also watching too and some other big teams too… see Kompany now at Bayern Munich, he’s doing well.
Widbiltz
0
I personally don’t understand why you posted your comment 3 times. I personally was a A plus student. Our education is far superior to your illiterate countries. I can wipe the floor with you, you are out of your league. You’ve admitted this 3 times in the past. Get educated and don’t you understand you only need to post your illiterate comments once not 3 times. But maths is definitely very poorly taught in your little country. The GHOST.
hear this king of fools. You're claiming to be in Derby meanwhile you're in Nigeria. Yahoo boy,I teach students schooling in Europe online. Can you imagine how foolish you're. you gat no my shit,you don't eminem with a wrong nigga like me. stupid fake Derby boy.
resabekpst
0
you're a fool to understand simple slangs. Fake Derby boy. I teach mathematics, besides,I have MSC in mathematics, so we aren't in the same league,fake ass nigga
I personally don’t understand why you posted your comment 3 times. I personally was a A plus student. Our education is far superior to your illiterate countries. I can wipe the floor with you, you are out of your league. You’ve admitted this 3 times in the past. Get educated and don’t you understand you only need to post your illiterate comments once not 3 times. But maths is definitely very poorly taught in your little country. The GHOST.
Sebabdiouz
0
It is over for Chelsea . The best is a mid-table for Chelsea. Get rid of those minnow players and recruit experienced mature players and a truly competent coach/ manager to contribute meaningfully to player recruitment, etc.Liam Rosenior must be sent back to where he came from.
Widbiltz
0
Please try to improve your spelling, i am having difficulty comprehending your pooly scripted comments. I understand that the education levels are very poor in Nigeria. I am officially your nemesis.aka the GHOST.
you're a fool to understand simple slangs. Fake Derby boy. I teach mathematics, besides,I have MSC in mathematics, so we aren't in the same league,fake ass nigga
Widbiltz
0
Please try to improve your spelling, i am having difficulty comprehending your pooly scripted comments. I understand that the education levels are very poor in Nigeria. I am officially your nemesis.aka the GHOST.
You're a fool to understand simple slangs,you're just a fake derby boy. you're just claiming what you're not. I teach mathematics, besides,I have MSC in mathematics. so we aren't in the same league. fake ass nigga
Sebabdiouz
0
Chelsea owners, Todd Boehly and his American patners must eat humble pie and know that they know next to nothing about soccer management. Hire competent coach like Fabregas and Michael Essien who we great players for Chelsea under Coach Mourighno. Leave player recruitment to them and will turn Chelsea next season into a winning team.
Widbiltz
0
Please try to improve your spelling, i am having difficulty comprehending your pooly scripted comments. I understand that the education levels are very poor in Nigeria. I am officially your nemesis.aka the GHOST.
you're a fool to understand slangs.I thought you said you're from Derby, fake boy that couldn't understand just simple slangs. Fake boy,I teach mathematics, besides I have msc in mathematics. get this to your fucking skull. come on fake ass nigga
yeeaklprtz
1
Congratulations City. I hope Pep have learned by now that his relatance to start Doku, Cherki and Kusanov were there greatest mistakes that costs the team. Boden should continue the bench...
resabekpst
1
come for me,I would always gat yah tym
Please try to improve your spelling, i am having difficulty comprehending your pooly scripted comments. I understand that the education levels are very poor in Nigeria. I am officially your nemesis.aka the GHOST.
Binlause
0
Fellow Gunners after watching Chelsea's game against City. It dawned on me that seems we've already bottled this league once again. Now the point lead is now six with a game in hand for city and a home game against Arsenal. If they win their game in hand it will come to 3pts lead. If we go to Etihad and lose (most likely) then the league is over for Arsenal. Truth be told! If Arsenal wins the rest five games and City does same. It will mean the champion shall be decided by goal difference which I do believe City will carry the day but at moment Arsenal have a three goals difference lead. We should also remember we are playing Crystal palace away the last game of the season which I also believe we can't win but could play a draw. Gentlemen, this is the reason we kept echoing the importance of this Bournemouth game but all fell on deaf ears.
City carrying 1 goal lead my guy [Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh]
vidbdikmrt
1
coach needs to be worn
Sebabdiouz
0
Chelsea coach and Chelsea owners are responsible for the poor performance of the team. Recruit experieced mature players and employ a competent manager to coach the players who always like to work under competent manager to help them improve on their skills for greater opportunities
yihdlmortu
0
I feel hurt always we loose, why can't you find strong strikers, it hurts
resabekpst
0
We have got to get Fabregas, he has done amazing at Como. They are currently 2-0 up against Inter Milan, 10 shots to none. He will get them into the Champions League next season. He was an excellent player and captain for us. He wanted to come back but Wenger declined saying we had enough in midfield. He loves Arsenal. BRING HIM HOME.!!!!
Binlause
0
I have always been telling my fellow arsenal fans since Arteta was employed to arsenal coach....the trophies arteta won in his first half of the season was because of the experience those players had and well coordinated....since then,arteta bought his own choice of players who he feels are capable of delivering a silverware much more than the squad he inherited but still fails. This is a clear sign that our coach isn't just a.trophy winning one. We need to have him replaced with an experienced coach. We have had enough of his pathetic decision making...our midfield is so bad that zubimendi isn't even an upgrade to partey. I would even prefer Norgaard in that midfield than zubimendi and still arteta uses him consistently....he can't tell if players have burn out due to fatigue. We surely need another coach...we are going to Etihad next week and a massacre awaits us there. We lost the league after the Bournemouth loss
City carrying 1 goal lead my guy check your table [Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh]
yihdlmortu
0
the problem I seen Chelsea they don't have a strong finisher
Widbiltz
0
Run and hide behind your smartphone. I told you that i will haunt you, and i am a man of my word 💯. The GHOST.!!!!
come for me,I would always gat yah tym
yeudeilmp
0
I have always been telling my fellow arsenal fans since Arteta was employed to arsenal coach....the trophies arteta won in his first half of the season was because of the experience those players had and well coordinated....since then,arteta bought his own choice of players who he feels are capable of delivering a silverware much more than the squad he inherited but still fails. This is a clear sign that our coach isn't just a.trophy winning one. We need to have him replaced with an experienced coach. We have had enough of his pathetic decision making...our midfield is so bad that zubimendi isn't even an upgrade to partey. I would even prefer Norgaard in that midfield than zubimendi and still arteta uses him consistently....he can't tell if players have burn out due to fatigue. We surely need another coach...we are going to Etihad next week and a massacre awaits us there. We lost the league after the Bournemouth loss
Widbiltz
0
Run and hide behind your smartphone. I told you that i will haunt you, and i am a man of my word 💯. The GHOST.!!!!
who knows dis "fake Derby boy"?
Widbiltz
0
Screw you for you are a 2 faced lying get. You want Liverpool to lose every game and won’t support them till he’s replaced. You bloody lying hypocritical piece of crap 💩.
who b dis tin
resabekpst
1
We Arsenal haters are still very active. We will make sure 💯 Arsenal ends this season trophyless. This is a good result to both Liverpool and Manchester City fans. Nothing for Arsenal.
Run and hide behind your smartphone. I told you that i will haunt you, and i am a man of my word 💯. The GHOST.!!!!
fawbdklmtu
1
Chelsea deserves to be lost I am a fan of Chelsea but I hate the owner manager fucking manager pls bring quality manager
resabekpst
1
We Arsenal haters are still very active. We will make sure 💯 Arsenal ends this season trophyless. This is a good result to both Liverpool and Manchester City fans. Nothing for Arsenal.
Screw you for you are a 2 faced lying get. You want Liverpool to lose every game and won’t support them till he’s replaced. You bloody lying hypocritical piece of crap 💩.
Widbiltz
0
We Arsenal haters are still very active. We will make sure 💯 Arsenal ends this season trophyless. This is a good result to both Liverpool and Manchester City fans. Nothing for Arsenal.
arsenal002
0
Fellow Gunners after watching Chelsea's game against City. It dawned on me that seems we've already bottled this league once again. Now the point lead is now six with a game in hand for city and a home game against Arsenal. If they win their game in hand it will come to 3pts lead. If we go to Etihad and lose (most likely) then the league is over for Arsenal. Truth be told! If Arsenal wins the rest five games and City does same. It will mean the champion shall be decided by goal difference which I do believe City will carry the day but at moment Arsenal have a three goals difference lead. We should also remember we are playing Crystal palace away the last game of the season which I also believe we can't win but could play a draw. Gentlemen, this is the reason we kept echoing the importance of this Bournemouth game but all fell on deaf ears.
Binlause
0
Not over until it's over... only time and games will tell..epl always understand...Liverpool won last season and where are they today all pundits predicted they will retain the title...they are struggling to be into top four or even five...
We ain't Liverpool dawg
nuydnprsu
0
the point will go goal defeat between arsenal and Manchester city
resabekpst
1
If Arsenal can’t get something next week it’s definitely all over plus our goal difference will be gone. Arteta has got to be replaced should we not raise silverware this season. He had a great squad over 2 players for each position, and he hasn’t used them now our players are playing either on dead legs or lack of preparation. Terrible management. He must be replaced. I also worry about our Champions League opportunity’s. DISGRACEFUL MANAGEMENT.!!!!
hoydeklz
1
it is over. City's are the winners. Arteta surrendered title to city with his useless tactics. I just pray Arsenal sack him next season. He destroyed a team that started the league brilliantly.
davetheeone
0
All that unity bs just to get piped like this without "the problem" playing can't you take a long look in the mirror and ask who actually is the flipping problem. Minus the Port Vale game we've gotten piped 3-0 thrice in a bloody row with a defeat against Newcastle and a hammering at the Parc de Princes before those and they're coming to meet me for bloody unity????
Tucalmprtz
1
Not over until it's over... only time and games will tell..epl always understand...Liverpool won last season and where are they today all pundits predicted they will retain the title...they are struggling to be into top four or even five...
Vonbceklot
0
THINGS FALL APART... THE CENTER CAN NO LONGER HOLD... THERE IS FIRE ON THE MOUNTAIN... THE GUN OF THE GUNNERS IS BEING DECIMATED.. ARSENAL ON THE RUN... EVERYTHING IS UNDER ALARM... NO CAUSE FOR CONTROL...
Binlause
1
City to Arsenal right now
Feilds
2