Chelsea vs. Manchester City result, highlights and analysis

Manchester City vs. Chelsea results, highlights, and analysis: The score from Riyad Mahrez tightens the margin on Arsenal.

Manchester City defeated Chelsea 1-0 at Stamford Bridge on Thursday, cutting the gap between themselves and Premier League leaders Arsenal to five points.

After a lacklustre first 45 minutes from the champs, Riyad Mahrez and Jack Grealish, both off the bench in the second half, combined to give Pep Guardiola's team the lead.

The closest Chelsea came to an equaliser was a late opening for replacement Lewis Hall. Despite fighting valiantly, Chelsea's goal threat was significantly reduced as a result of the injuries to Raheem Sterling and Christian Pulisic.

View of the Premier League standings following Manchester City's victory over Chelsea.

Given that Arsenal and Newcastle United drew on Tuesday's game came against Graham Potter's team, who had won only one of their previous six games across all competitions. It was up to City to capitalise on the table-toppers' error.

In the first few minutes against his former team, Sterling appeared to pull a hamstring, while Pulisic was also forced off after failing to recover from a forceful John Stones challenge that denied the USA star a clear opportunity for the game's first goal.

However, Chelsea appeared to be the more dangerous team in the opening period, and youngster Carney Chukwuemeka nearly gave them the lead when his effort from the edge of the box rattled the left-hand post.

At halftime, Guardiola made personnel and system changes that immediately had an impact as City started to take control. One of the replacements, Nathan Ake, headed a deep Kevin De Bruyne cross against the outside of the post.

Following a corner, Thiago Silva spurned a fantastic opportunity for the home team before Mahrez, a replacement, scored the goal that City's improved effort deserved. When Grealish delivered a low, first-time cross from De Bruyne's pass after the Algerian winger had started the play from the right and raced into the area, Mahrez had the easy task of placing the ball in the goal.

Chelsea put forth a valiant late performance, and some young players who came on as substitutes stood out, but Hall should have performed better.

Man City demonstrate the importance of team cohesion in the title race.
The only substitute Mikel Arteta used was left-back Takehiro Tomiyasu as Arsenal was foiled by Newcastle, the league's strongest defensive team this season. Guardiola has a bench full of City solutions available when he needed one.

Guardiola switched to Grealish and Mahrez, a £160 million double act introduced against two worn-out fullbacks, after switching the system to a more familiar set-up by substituting Rico Lewis and Manuel Akanji in defence. They collaborated for the winning goal, with Marc Cucurella unable to keep up with Mahrez's run and Cesar Azpilicueta being caught out of position for the cross.That is the benefit of having a strong squad.

It served as a reminder of why Arteta is searching for additions in January and why City, despite being five points behind with 21 games left, need to be considered title favourites.

Graham Potter is at a loss for alternatives.

Chelsea put in a display that was far from subpar. Even after the losses of Sterling and Pulisic, as well as the young players who came on, they were the superior team in the first half. Omari Hutchinson, Carney Chukwuemeka, and Lewis Hall all contributed a lot of energy and sharp attacking play. There's a decent probability that they'll all show up.

However, there is where Potter's issue rests. He is attempting to pull Chelsea back into the top-four race and maintain trophy challenges abroad with a patchwork squad after injuries destroyed his first-choice side.

If Chelsea consistently had a sense of purpose in their play, that wouldn't be such a big deal. They didn't under Potter. Although they play adequate defence, they have only scored three goals in their last seven games across all competitions, with two of those goals coming in their lone victory during that span (against Bournemouth).

Stamford Bridge is not having a good time right now.

Manchester City at Chelsea: all analysis and highlights
90+4 seconds: Off Kalidou Koulibaly, Riyad Mahrez is awarded a free kick in the City half. The referee ends the game when they send the ball far!

Carney Chukwuemeka leads a promising break into the final four minutes of the 90+ minute period. Lewis Hall drives into the box and fires the ball over the crossbar after he slides it to him. That was the incorrect decision.

In the 89th minute, Lewis Hall is released down the Chelsea left after Denis Zakaria's excellent skill creates some space. In order to relieve some of the strain on his team, Jack Grealish hooks his cross clear. Then, when another delivery is blocked, the City midfielder gets a free kick from Mateo Kovacic.

Man City makes a late substitution in the 
86th minute: Man City makes a late substitution in the  Rodri is sounding the alarm for Kalvin Phillips, who appears to be in decent form.

79th minute: It's safe to say that Conor Gallagher has given this some vigour. After knocking John Stones to the ground, he nearly launched another challenge at the defender while leading what amounted to a one-man press.

Erling Haaland was so close in the 

73rd minute:  This time, Kevin De Bruyne appears in the right channel and strikes the ball toward the goal. As Haaland pushes every sinew but is still unable to reach it, Kepa once more watches it bubble across the turf.

68th minute: The goal by City in the  well-executed, even if it appeared that Kepa might have done more to stop Jack Grealish's cross and Marc Cucurella had been struggling to defend since halftime. Conor Gallagher has been substituted for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang by Chelsea, who are now in need of a goal.

63rd minute: Riyad Mahrez scores in  t he substitutions for Manchester City work together to break the tie. Kevin De Bruyne is assisted by Rodri after Mahrez enters the pitch from the right side. Suddenly, City is overrun in the Chelsea penalty area when De Bruyne picks out Jack Grealish, whose left-footed low cross is touched in by Mahrez at the far post. urban lead!

61st minute: Ederson charges about 40 yards off his line as Hakim Ziyech throws a long clearance for Kai Havertz to chase. Ziyech and Manuel Akanji, who was protecting Ziyech, were struck by the goalkeeper, causing the ball to run safely for City. In such instance, it was reasonable to believe that Ederson was bored and eager to embark on an adventure.

59th minute: Kevin De Bruyne misses! Marc Cucurella is danced around by Bernardo Silva, who then sets up De Bruyne in the Chelsea box. He attempts to hit the close post, but it is wide. He ought to have handled that better. Further alterations have been made by Pep Guardiola, who has replaced Phil Foden and Bernardo Silva with Jack Grealish and Riyad Mahrez.

55th minute: Thiago Silva has a chance in the   Chelsea defender, who was in the Man City box for a corner, receives the ball well, but his first-time shot under pressure misses Ederson's right-hand post.

50t minute: Nathan Ake strikes the woodwork in the  ball comes back off the outside of the post and Chelsea clear after Kevin De Bruyne puts in a deep cross from the left. Ake gets his head to it in front of Rodri. After another turnover by Chelsea, De Bruyne forces a low save from Kepa from the edge of the area. This is far better than City.

48th minute:  On the edge of the Chelsea box, in the Erling Haaland pounces and steals the ball from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, but he pulls his effort wide. In this half, City are appearing much more menacing.

46th minute: Manchester City makes two halftime substitutions: Rico Lewis and Manuel Akanji replace Kyle Walker and Joao Cancelo. Rodri appears to be returning to midfield, so City may now have a more recognisable form. Let's investigate...

HT: Carney Chukwuemeka, who came closest to starting the scoring in the first half, grinned ruefully as the period came to a close. Manchester City's greatest opportunity came from Erling Haaland, but they fell short.

Erling Haaland has a chance in the 38th minute! The forward for Man City hasn't even kicked a ball yet, but he comes alive there, catching Ilkay Gundogan's throughball and sending a snappy shot over the crossbar. Actually, you anticipated the net to ripple.

Ilkay Gundogan picks up a loose ball on the edge of the Chelsea box in the 33rd minute and curls a shot well beyond of Kepa Arrizabalaga's goal after some brief Man City pressure. That was City's opening effort of the game.

It never rains, but it pours in the 24th minute. Carney Chukwuemeka replaces Christian Pulisic, who is unable to continue and leaves after making just his fifth league appearance for the team. His initial attempt to latch onto a Kai Havertz cut-back is unsuccessful. Despite losing two of their starting forwards, Chelsea now appears to be more dangerous.

John Stones made a fantastic tackle in the 16th minute. Due to a mix-up involving Kyle Walker and Joao Cancelo, Marc Cucurella was able to advance with the ball. In order to set up Christian Pulisic for a shooting, he found Kai Havertz, who slid the ball into the area. However, Stones produced a great sliding challenge to stop it. Sadly for the Blues, Pulisic appears to be injured.

Raheem Sterling had to leave the game in the 11th minute, which dealt Graham Potter and Chelsea yet another serious injury setback. Aubameyang, Pierre-Emerick, has entered the fray. Although I use the word "action" loosely, it's fair to say that this one has been cagey thus far.

Raheem Sterling's apparent hamstring issue causes Chelsea some concern in the third minute. But he's going to keep fighting.

First minute: Chelsea kicks things off after a minute of standing ovations for the legendary Pele in Stamford Bridge!

10 mins before the knockout: Given their injuries and the fact that they have only won one of their last six games overall, Chelsea may seem hopeless, but take into account the following: this may be their ninth victory over a Pep Guardiola squad.

The mayor would then set an unfavourable record.

One hour and fifteen minutes prior to game time, Chelsea is now ranked 10th in the table, 11 points behind Man City in second place, and 10 spots outside the top four. Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, a former striker, asserts that although his former team is "very far" from competing with the likes of the winners, they must enter this match with the intention of winning. He said on Sky Sports in the UK. 

"You have to treat this game as one and attempt to win the game, because you're at the bridge." "Here at the Bridge, Chelsea wins games." "That's the attitude you need to adopt, as difficult as it will be."

One hour and thirty minutes prior to kickoff: This is one of two matches between Chelsea and Man City this week; the other one will take place at the FA Cup on the following weekend. Both games are difficult to predict, especially as Chelsea is still finding their feet under Potter and City has a tendency to flatter to deceive at times this year.

Two hours before kickoff: With a victory tonight, Manchester City can cut the distance to five points between themselves and the league's top-ranked Arsenal. Chelsea, who are struggling under head coach Graham Potter to maintain any continuity, stand in their way.

Lineups for Chelsea vs. Manchester City:

Mason Mount's injury in practise is a major setback for Chelsea, who are now without their midfielder. Raheem Sterling, Christian Pulisic, and Denis Zakaria are all starting in midfield as well as against their former team. Potter appears to be aiming for a 4-2-3-1.

Kepa (GK) is surrounded by Azpilicueta, Koulibaly, Silva, Cucurella, Zakaria, Kovacic, Ziyech, Sterling, Pulisic, and Havertz in the Chelsea XI (4-2-3-1).

substitutes for Chelsea:  Bettinelli, Chalobah, Humphreys, Hall, Chukwuemeka, Gallagher, Jorginho, Hutchinson, and Aubameyang are the substitutes for Chelsea.

Aymeric Laporte is still missing, but Kyle Walker, Joao Cancelo, and Phil Foden all make their first City starts since the World Cup. Of course, Erling Haaland is in front of the pack.

Interestingly, Rodri started in the back four for Pep Guardiola, a position he previously held.

Walker, Stones, Ake, Cancelo, De Bruyne, Rodri, Gundogan, Silva, Haaland, and Foden make up Man City's starting lineup (4-3-3) for the game.

Manchester City's substitutes:  Ortega Moreno, Phillips, Grealish, Alvarez, Gomez, Akanji, Mahrez, Palmer, and Lewis are Manchester City's substitutes.