On the 31st day of the Premier League, Chelsea hosted Manchester City at Stamford Bridge. Victorious (2-1) last Sunday against Aston Villa, the Blues returned four lengths from Leicester third. As far as Manchester City is concerned, the champion of England had shone since the resumption of hostilities in the Premier League, with two convincing successes against Arsenal (3-0) and Burnley (5-0).
Were the Citizens really going to play the game tonight, three days before their Cup quarter-final against Newcastle? For this poster, Frank Lampard aligned a 4-3-3 with the Pulisic trio, Willian, Giroud at the forefront. For his part, Pep Guardiola opted for a similar tactical scheme and notably established Benjamin Mendy.
The first quarter of an hour of this poster was sluggish to say the least. We had to wait until the 14th to see a semblance of opportunity for Manchester City. Kepa missed his clearance, Mahrez turned his head for Bernardo Silva who stumbled on the Spanish goalkeeper of the Blues.
City got a new opportunity four minutes later. Mahrez wrapped up his free kick well and found Fernandinho’s head deflected for a corner by Kepa (18th). Chelsea woke up around half an hour of play with a header from Azpilicueta on a corner well pushed back by Ederson (34 ‘). In the process, Frank Lampard’s men opened the scoring.
Pulisic took advantage of a misunderstanding between Mendy and Gündogan to rush to the goal and adjust Ederson (1-0, 36th). Upset by this opening score, Manchester City reacted before the break. On a free kick, De Bruyne shifted Mahrez whose heavy shot went over (38th). Upon returning from the locker room, Guardiola injected new blood with the entries of Gabriel Jesus and David Silva (55th). A few seconds later, Kevin de Bruyne’s magnificent free-kick allowed Manchester City to equalize (1-1). An equalization which sounded the revolt of the Citizens.
Pulisic City executioner, Liverpool champion of England
On a counterattack.
