MANCHESTER CITY 2 De Bruyne (29), Mahrez (37) CHELSEA 1 Kante (21)

Manchester City came from behind to keep themselves within nine points of Liverpool with a hard-fought win over Chelsea.

All the goals at the Etihad Stadium came in the first half as the champions responded to N’golo Kante’s early strike, with goals from Kevin De Bruyne and Riyad Mahrez.

Raheem Sterling thought he had added a late third for City, but his strike was ruled out for offside in a very tight VAR call. Sergio Aguero hit the woodwork before the break, but the game ended with concern for City’s record goalscorer after he hobbled off 13 minutes from time.

A worried Pep Guardiola said: “The first indication is not good. A muscular injury.”

On the victory itself, the Spaniard added: “Chelsea are an incredible team, but we beat them. It was a typical high level game. We created enough chances to score more goals.”

Chelsea boss Frank Lampard was not too downhearted in defeat, adding: “We went toe-to-toe. The amount of time we got in their final third we didn’t have that little bit of quality. Games like that can be lost in the boxes.

“It feels like a long time since we lost a game. We know there is a transitional feel, but I know if we keep working we will be coming.”

City had a good early chance when Aguero played in De Bruyne, but the Belgian drove his shot across goal.

After Willian went close, the visitors claimed the lead after 21 minutes. Mateo Kovacic picked out Kante with a ball over the top and the Frenchman poked a shot under Ederson.

That prompted a strong response from the hosts and they were level within eight minutes as De Bruyne struck with a deflected effort from the edge of the area.

Mahrez then put City ahead with a fine individual goal, cutting inside from the left between two defenders and sending a low shot through the legs of Tomori and into the far corner.

For all City’s control in the second half, they did not kill off the game, although Sterling did fire home late on, only to be denied by VAR by millimetres in a very tight offside call.