THE VERDICT: CITY 6 CHELSEA 0
CITY saved the best of a testing trio of Premier League performances for last as they monstered Chelsea 6-0 and returned to the top of the league.
Being forced to squeeze a trip to Goodison between games with Arsenal and Chelsea went down at the Etihad like a late Liverpool winner, but nine points from nine see the defending champions top for at least another fortnight when the challengers go to Old Trafford on the day of the Carabao Cup final.
More important than the points, Pep Guardiola had explained before the beginning, was the play. He reasoned nothing would strike fear and awe into opposition teams and managers like the sight of City’s Centurions looking formidable.
And, after bursts of excellence against Arsenal and a disciplined, gritty display against Everton, this was everything the manager had dreamed of – and more.
From the first whistle, the snarling hosts were hungry to tear into the visitors and it took just four minutes to get on the board when Kevin de Bruyne’s quick free-kick found Bernardo Silva and his ball across the box was lashed in by Raheem Sterling.
Sergio Aguero should have had a second moments later but inexplicably sidefooted wide from two yards with the goal gaping to his left.
Those who remembered De Bruyne’s clang against the bar when Chelsea came to town two years ago tried to forget they had.
This City team though, spurred on by the excellence of Liverpool and Tottenham as well as their own ambitions, were in no mood to reflect or switch off. Aguero made personal amends by rifling past Kepa Arrizabalaga and into the top corner from 25 yards, and a stunned Chelsea team proceeded to hand the Blues another two goals before 25 minutes were up. Ross Barkley inexplicably headed the ball back into the six-yard box for Aguero to pounce for a goal that makes him City’s most prolific in the league, before Antonio
Sterling (4, 80), Aguero (13, 19, 56 pen), Gundogan 24 2 None 56% 44% 16 2 Gundogan Jorginho, Alonso Mike Dean 54,452 Rudiger’s clearance went straight to Ilkay Gundogan on the edge of the box to curl a fourth into the bottom corner.
The inquest into Sarri’s reign will surely intensify after this mauling, but it is worth pointing out not only that his team were the first to beat the champions this season but that matches between City and Chelsea have proven mightily significant in the title hopes of their two teams over the last five years.
It was victory last season at Stamford Bridge that saw everything come together in a blistering 90 minutes for Pep Guardiola’s would-be Centurions and Chelsea’s surrender in the corresponding fixture highlighted the absolute supremacy of City.
And despite what the scoreline will tell you, Chelsea caused the Blues more problems here than most teams have.
Ederson made an excellent save from Gonzalo Higuain and was also alert to