Manchester Metropolis secured three factors with a 3-1 victory after a tricky battle with Chelsea on the Etihad Stadium on Saturday night, with targets from Josko Gvardiol, Erling Haaland and Phil Foden finishing a comeback.
There was two debuts this night for the Blues this night with marquee signing Omar Marmoush shining and the Premier League’s first consultant of Uzbekistan, Abdukodir Khusanov additionally made his debut tonight.
Khusanov had a second to neglect early on in his Manchester Metropolis debut as his tried back-pass was intercepted by Nicholas Jackson who offered the help for Noni Madueke to faucet in to the empty web.
Issues obtained worse for the brand new quantity 45 only a minute later as he picked up a yellow card for a problem outdoors of the Metropolis penalty space.
Pep Guardiola’s facet narrowly escaped a two purpose deficit within the opening ten minutes with former Manchester Metropolis participant Cole Palmer breaking via the line of defense. However his go throughout the field was poor and allowed Metropolis to recuperate.
This sport was proving to be considered one of excessive depth with Phil Foden rattling the Chelsea woodwork together with his effort from outdoors the penalty space.
The following Manchester Metropolis likelihood fell to the goal-scoring Croatian Josko Gvardiol who will really feel he ought to have discovered the again of the web together with his strike.
Followers across the Etihad Stadium jumped up in celebration once they thought that Metropolis had discovered an equaliser within the thirty fourth minute via one of many new arrivals, Omar Marmoush. The Egyptian slotted the ball previous Robert Sanchez and into the facet netting earlier than having his celebrations reduce quick by the raised offside flag.
The primary menace from the Premier League champions was coming from the full-backs, Matheus Nunes and Josko Gvardiol they usually mixed to degree the scoring for the Sky-Blues. A well-timed run and slightly little bit of fortune discovered the Croatian defender observing an open purpose to equalise simply earlier than half-time.
Erling Haaland appeared to start out the second half by giving Manchester Metropolis the lead however Robert Sanchez obtained down rapidly to disclaim the large Norwegian. The quantity 9 made no mistake the second time of asking as he dinked the ball over the onrushing goalkeeper to make it 2-1 after an extended ball from Ederson.
The champions ended the sport on excessive with Phil Foden calmly passing the ball previous the Chelsea goalkeeper to safe the victory for his boyhood membership.
A flick-on from substitute Kevin De Bruyne discovered the ft of Haaland who held off two defenders on his personal to play the go via to final seasons Participant of the Season who made no mistake in entrance of purpose.
And with that 3-1 victory, Manchester Metropolis will now look in the direction of the ultimate sport of the UEFA Champions League’s league part as they host Belgian facet Membership Brugge on Wednesday evening in a must-win fixture for the Blues!
Earlier than then, right here is how we rated the person gamers’ performances from the weekend’s victory on the Etihad Stadium!
Participant Scores
Beginning XI
Ederson – 7
His lengthy balls discovered Haaland 1v1 which led to the second and third targets. Couldn’t do a lot to avoid wasting the Chelsea purpose.
Matheus Nunes – 7
Couldn’t enterprise ahead as a lot to assist cowl with the brand new signing. Performed a pivotal position within the equaliser. Defended effectively when requested to.
Abdukodir Khusanov – 3.5
Had a troublesome first jiffy and his error led to the purpose. However appeared like he was slowly rising into the sport.
Manuel Akanji – 6
Wasn’t too unhealthy. Needed to take management of the defence when taking part in with a brand new signing.
Josko Gvardiol – 7.5 (MOTM)
One of many principal threats within the sport. Brought about Reece James and Noni Madueke issues all sport.
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Mateo Kovacic – 6
Had Cole Palmer on his heels all sport. He moved the ball round effectively however wanted to maneuver a bit faster.
Ilkay Gundogan – 7
Stunning ball excessive within the buildup to the equaliser. Tried to seek out holes within the excessive Chelsea press.
Bernardo Silva (C) – 7.5
Coated each blade of grass and wears the captains armband with pleasure. Understood the state of affairs early on within the sport and dropped again to assist out.
Phil Foden – 7
Not as a lot involvement as he would have favored however took his likelihood effectively to safe the victory. Unfortunate together with his effort hitting the put up.
Omar Marmoush – 7.5
Seems to be like a extremely promising signing. Made nice runs in behind and at all times seems to be keen to attain targets.
Erling Haaland – 7.5
Had little or no influence on the sport within the first half. Modified his method within the second half which led to his purpose to present Metropolis the lead and wonderful hold-up to create the third purpose.
Substitutes
John Stones – 6
Restored confidence within the again line and helped retain possession in Metropolis’s half.
Kevin De Bruyne – 7
His flick on led to the third purpose for Metropolis and he offered a way of management late within the sport.
