ROBERT SANCHEZ produced another howler as Erling Haaland's lob sealed victory for Man City against Chelsea.
2024/2025 Premier League
3-1
Match Report
The striker was able to chip over Sanchez after the goalie sprinted out of his box.
It saw City pick up all three points after Josko Gvardiol levelled following Noni Madueke's early opener.
Second-half goals from Erling Haaland and Phil Foden helped Manchester City to a 3-1 victory over Chelsea, as they replaced the Blues in the Premier League's top four.
Noni Madueke punished a glaring error from City debutant Abdukodir Khusanov early on as Chelsea looked to move five points clear of a rival for Champions League qualification.
Khusanov's attempted header back to Ederson in the third minute was intercepted by Nicolas Jackson, who squared for Madueke to tap home.
However, City began to exert control in an action-packed first half, with Foden striking the post and Josko Gvardiol missing two big chances, while new boy Omar Marmoush saw a close-range finish chalked off for offside.
However, it was third time lucky for Gvardiol as he pounced to tap home when Robert Sanchez could only parry Matheus Nunes' shot, kickstarting City's comeback.
After 68 minutes, Haaland latched onto Ederson's long punt forward and lobbed Sanchez to put City ahead, then Foden raced clear to make the points safe two minutes from time.
5 - Ederson now has five assists in the Premier League, the joint-most by a goalkeeper in the competition's history along with Paul Robinson. Hoof. #MCICHE pic.twitter.com/eTLWle6gbn
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) January 25, 2025
The victory takes City up to fourth in the table on 41 points, ahead of fifth-placed Newcastle United on goal difference and one clear of Chelsea and Bournemouth.
Data Debrief: Khusanov's rough start not costly
Thrown in at the deep end with Ruben Dias and Nathan Ake out injured, Khusanov endured a difficult start to his Premier League career.
His weak header led directly to Chelsea's opener, then he earned a fourth-minute booking for chopping down Cole Palmer, the earliest yellow card for a Premier League debutant since Cardiff City's Lee Peltier versus Bournemouth in 2018 (third minute).
However, fellow defender Gvardiol bailed him out with his fifth Premier League goal of the season – more than any other defender has managed in the competition this term and the most by a City defender in a single season since Steve Howey in 2000-01 (six).
A mistake at the other end then helped City complete the turnaround as Sanchez was caught out by Haaland.
No player in the division has made more errors leading to a goal than Sanchez (five) this term.
Match Events
0' The rebound lands to Gvardiol, who slots into an empty net! Man City 1-1 Chelsea
0' Haaland flicks it though to Foden who kills the game! Man City 3-1 Chelsea
0' The match is about to start!
2' Mistake from Khusanov on his debut gifts Madueke a goal! Man City 0-1 Chelsea
2' Marmoush gets onto Froden's cross and forces a save from Robert Sanchez
4' A nightmare debut so far for Khusanov as he sees yellow for fouling on Palmer
5' Reece James shoots over from the free-kick
9' Jackson passes to Sancho, whose shot is blocked by Khusanov
10' CLOSE! Foden smashes a shot off the near post from just outside the box!
10' Match Event for Man City vs Chelsea
21' Gvardiol whips in a low cross but Marmoush can't reach it
22' Marmoush takes a free-kick but slams it straight into the wall
24' Gvardiol steps past Madueke and flashes a right-footed shot high and wide
25' Colwill is booked for taking too long over a goal-kick
28' Palmer cuts inside Kovacic and hammers in a shot which is saved by Ederson
28' Match Event for Man City vs Chelsea
31' Marmoush swings in a cross to Phil Foden, who heads over the bar
35' Marmoush has the ball in the net but it's disallowed!
40' Close to a stunning goal from Gvardiol as he past Chalobah and shots wide
50' Haaland has a shot after Colwill misses it and but is denied by Sanchez
52' Highlight from Man City vs Chelsea
53' Manchester City bring on John Stones for Abdukodir Khusanov
53' Highlight from Man City vs Chelsea
57' Jackson's falling over as he enters the box so weakly shoots into Ederson
61' Chelsea bring on cup striker Nkunku for league striker Nicolas Jackson
67' Highlight from Man City vs Chelsea
68' Haaland curls the ball over Sanchez and into the empty net! Man City 2-1 Chelsea
73' Gusto and Neto are on for Sancho and James; Marmoush is replaced by De Bruyne
78' Silva catches Enzo from behind and is booked
82' Kovacic is booked for fouling Chelsea midfielder Cole Palmer
Line-ups
Man City XI: Gundogan, Kovacic, Ederson, Bernardo Silva, Akanji, Haaland, Foden, Omar Marmoush, Matheus Nunes, Gvardiol, Abdukodir Khusanov
Subs: De Bruyne, Ortega, Stones, Grealish, McAtee, Lewis, Savinho, Nico O'Reilly, Vitor Reis
Chelsea XI: Cucurella, Trevoh Chalobah, Sancho, Reece James, Robert Sánchez, Cole Palmer, Madueke, Enzo, Caicedo, Colwill, Nicolas Jackson
Subs: Adarabioyo, Nkunku, Disasi, Pedro Neto, Dewsbury-Hall, Jørgensen, Gusto, Josh Acheampong, Guiu