Chelsea vs Manchester City as it happened – David Luiz impresses as City's undefeated run ends
Re-live the action from Stamford
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Your support makes all the difference.Chelsea inflicted Manchester City‘s first defeat of the season in a compelling contest at Stamford Bridge.
Strikers were conspicuous by their absence, with Chelsea’s Eden Hazard and City’s Raheem Sterling deployed in the ‘false nine’ position, and the hosts absorbed repeated pressure from Pep Guardiola‘s men before earning a 2-0 win.
Infrequent goalscorer N’Golo Kante gave Chelsea the lead on the stroke of half-time, completing a devastating counter-attack by scoring with the Blues’ first shot of the game, and David Luiz headed in a second 12 minutes from time.
City had been unbeaten in 21 games, since April’s defeat in the Manchester derby, and now sit a point behind Liverpool. Chelsea are third, eight points behind Liverpool. Re-live the action below:
12 minutes
Chelsea are running into issues. When they win the ball back, Eden Hazard is often among those doing so dropping deep, leaving them without an outlet ball.
City look much better balanced in these formative stages.
15 minutes
Nearly!
Leroy Sane nips in on Eden Hazard, feeds Riyad Mahrez who in turn gives it to David Silva.
Silva returns it to Sane but the German can't quite get the ball under sufficient control to shoot with a chance opening up.
Worrying signs for the hosts.
16 minutes
Riyad Mahrez nearly hands Pedro the ball, his curling pass far too close to the Spanish winger but with enough power to force an out-of-control touch.
Manchester City have dominated the opening stages, with Raheem Sterling's volley the best chance so far.
21 minutes
Through the first 20 minutes at Stamford Bridge and City look a gulf apart from Chelsea.
They look untroubled in possession even in tight corners and Chelsea are struggling to keep the ball.
22 minutes
Marcos Alonso clips Raheem Sterling's heels and concedes a free kick 25 yards from goal, on the right just beyond the edge of the box.
David Silva stands over it...
Too much on it. Even a strong leap from Aymeric Laporte fails to make contact.
24 minutes
Fernandinho has some sort of muscular problem and received a little treatment as that free kick was taken. He seems to be moving smoothly now, but his poor header nearly allows Marcos Alonso to nip in ahead of Kyle Walker.
Walker just about recovers to concede a throw.
26 minutes
For all City's competence so far, they are missing that focal point in the middle of their attack.
Raheem Sterling appears to have gone wider, now.
27 minutes
Riyad Mahrez takes Sterling's position and whips a lovely pass to Leroy Sane, who is well managed by Cesar Azpilicueta, conceding a corner.
Antonio Rudiger manages to get his head to the dangerous-looking delivery, and Chelsea clear and push out.
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