Manchester City moved into fourth place after beating Chelsea 3-1 at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday. The win helps City push for Champions League football next season, while Chelsea drops to sixth.
Match Details
Manchester City (1.69) went behind after just three minutes when new signing Abdukodir Khusanov, a £42.5m arrival this week, made a mistake that led to Noni Madueke scoring for Chelsea. The 20-year-old defender misjudged a long ball, heading it straight to Nicolas Jackson who set up Madueke.
Manchester City’s Comeback
Josko Gvardiol got Manchester City level just before half-time, scoring his first Premier League goal after Chelsea (1.34) failed to clear a corner. Erling Haaland then put Manchester City ahead in the 65th minute, chipping the ball over Chelsea keeper Robert Sanchez who had rushed out of his goal. Omar Marmoush, City’s other new signing who cost £50m, came off the bench to score the third goal in the 80th minute.
Key Stats
- This was Manchester City’s first back-to-back league wins in 2025
- Chelsea keeper Sanchez has now made five mistakes leading to goals this season, more than any other Premier League player
- Manchester City had 62% possession and 18 shots, with 7 on target
- Chelsea have now lost all three matches against Manchester City this season
Recent Form
Manchester City came into the match after losing 2-1 to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League on Tuesday. Chelsea had just won their first league game of 2025 on Monday, ending a five-game winless run.
Manager Reactions
“We showed good character to come back,” said Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola. “The new players need time but they helped us today.” Chelsea boss, Enzo Maresca said: “Robert [Sanchez] knows he must do better. He is still far from where we want him to be.”
League Standing
While City’s performance wasn’t their most convincing, the win highlighted their ability to overcome setbacks – from both Khusanov’s early error and their recent Champions League defeat. Guardiola’s new signings showed promise despite their mixed debuts, but Chelsea’s defensive frailties, particularly Sanchez’s ongoing struggles, continue to undermine their top-four ambitions. With both teams still active in European competitions and the race for Champions League spots intensifying, this result could prove crucial come the season’s end.
