MAHREZ PEP UP Riyad’s winner moves City to third place
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A MOMENT of magic from Riyad Mahrez got Manchester City back on track with their 400th Premier League win – but no nearer to leaders Liverpool.
Pep Guardiola’s side climbed above Chelsea into third place with this hard- fought victory, but still trail Jurgen Klopp’s leaders by nine points – just as they started the day.
Back-to-back champions City have been lauded for their sublime football over the past two seasons, but here it was their collective character and resolve that saw them deliver a much-needed triumph.
After their 3-1 defeat at Liverpool before the international break, the pressure was on Guardiola (right) and his players to show they will not relinquish their title without a fight.
And, after going behind, City did just that, goals from Kevin De Bruyne and Mahrez condemning Chelsea to a first Premier League defeat since September 22.
Chelsea suffered a humiliating 6-0 defeat on their last visit to the Etihad in February, but this encounter was never likely to be so one-sided, given the progress made under Frank Lampard this term.
City conjured the first chance after three minutes. Fernandinho found Sergio Aguero, who in turn funnelled the ball through to De Bruyne, whose shot on the turn went just wide of
Kepa Arrizabalaga’s right-hand post. Five minutes later and it was Chelsea’s turn. An under-hit pass from Mahrez, under pressure from Emerson, was intercepted by Tammy Abraham, who sprayed the ball out wide to Willian, the Brazil midfielder dragging his shot wide of the target.
But Chelsea took a deserved lead on 21 minutes, their early endeavour and enterprise warranting the goal.
Mateo Kovacic picked out N’Golo Kante’s diagonal run, with Benjamin Mendy left as the only City defender to pursue him. But
Kante had a head start on Mendy and, with Ederson racing off his line, the Chelsea midfielder applied a vital first touch to the ball, sending it trundling over the line to give Lampard’s side the lead.
City equalised eight minutes later, De Bruyne shifting the ball back on to his left foot before unleashing a shot that Kepa looked to have covered, until a Kurt Zouma deflection sent it beyond him.
The goal galvanised the hosts and they went ahead eight minutes later, with the decisive goal from Mahrez, who had offered littl bal and Ko fini rea
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