Manchester City returned to their finest in opposition to Chelsea & remainder of Premier League must be fearful

After months of groggy performances, Manchester City lastly awakened from their footballing coma in opposition to Chelsea – and the remainder of the Premier League must be afraid. Very afraid.

The soccer City performed within the first half of their 3-1 win over the Blues was as devastating as something witnessed within the Premier League this season. They dominated their opponents in virtually each metric and every of their targets have been glorious.

After a shaky first ten minutes, the floodgates opened. First, Joao Cancelo’s probing by ball afforded Kevin De Bruyne a transparent sight at objective however the Belgian uncharacteristically pulled it extensive. Chelsea wouldn’t be capable to preserve their opponents out for for much longer.

With 18 minutes on the clock, Ilkay Gundogan let Oleksandr Zinchenko’s move roll throughout his physique, leaving Thiago Silva for lifeless, earlier than firing a shot into the underside nook. Less than 180 seconds later, City doubled their benefit.

This time, De Bruyne made up for his early miss by laying one on a plate for Phil Foden. After his first effort was snuffed out by Kurt Zouma, he picked the ball up once more and drilled a pinpoint move by Cesar Azpilicueta’s legs, discovering Foden unmarked within the field who made made no mistake.

With simply over half an hour performed, City put the sport past all doubt. After Hakim Ziyech’s free kick was simply handled by John Stones, the guests turned defence into assault. Within seconds, De Bruyne’s intelligent header despatched Raheem Sterling racing away from Chelsea’s final man, N’Golo Kante. Sterling took an age to drag the set off and when he lastly did the ball cannoned off the bar. Fortunately, De Bruyne was there to use the end.

The rapid response to this quickfire, triple salvo on social media focussed on Chelsea’s sieve like defending. However, whereas Edouard Mendy ought to have executed higher for the primary two targets and questions may be requested of Thiago Silva, Kante and a handful of others, overemphasising this does City a disservice.

All three targets confirmed a vigour that has been lacking from their assaults for many of the season. At occasions, City have been infuriating to observe. Ponderous on the ball and missing tempo, it has generally appeared like they want possession for possession’s sake.

In defeats to Leicester and Tottenham, in addition to in attracts in opposition to West Ham and West Brom, they registered near, or over, 70% possession. Yet, on all on these events they may not make their dominance pay. The first half in opposition to Chelsea was a distinct story. Although the Blues loved 54% of the ball, City have been the higher aspect, transferring it with pace and goal to wrap issues up in little over half-hour.

Against Chelsea, in addition they demonstrated a medical edge that has been sorely absent in latest occasions. Prior to their go to to Stamford Bridge, solely Sheffield United had underperformed their xG worse than City. Overall, their anticipated targets advised they need to have scored 5 extra occasions up to now this season. If they’d, the xG mannequin predicted that they might have three extra factors.

While the primary half noticed Guardiola’s aspect break the mould, after the break issues adopted a extra acquainted script with City defending brilliantly. No Premier League aspect has conceded fewer targets than them this season and if it weren’t for a considerably freak 5-2 loss in opposition to Leicester again in September, their defensive file can be much more spectacular.

Against Chelsea, they continued this pattern. Stones and Ruben Dias devoured the ball up like hungry hippos on the coronary heart of the City backline, whereas Zinchenko and Cancelo starved their counterparts of probabilities.

Meanwhile, Rodri’s efficiency might not have been good, however the Spaniard broke up his justifiable share of Chelsea assaults to make up for his early looseness in possession. If not for a 91st minute lapse in focus – which allowed Callum Hudson-Odoi to attain a comfort – City would have toasted their eighth clear sheet of the season.

So, what does this all imply? Well, if City are prepared to mix their very good defending with a reinvigorated attacking part as their show in opposition to Chelsea suggests, their rivals must be trying over their shoulders anxiously. Particularly as a result of straightforward run of fixtures that Guardiola’s aspect have in January.

It’s not arduous to think about City choosing up most factors from their video games in opposition to Brighton, Crystal Palace, Aston Villa, West Brom and Sheffield United over the subsequent month and these 15 factors would go an extended solution to returning them to the highest of the Premier League desk.