Erling Haaland capitalized on a huge mistake by Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez to net the winning goal, lifting Manchester City back into the Premier League’s top four.
Sanchez was caught way out of position after rushing off his line, then scrambled to recover as Haaland battled Chelsea defender Trevoh Chalobah to meet Ederson’s long clearance.
Haaland won the physical contest, expertly shifting the ball onto his left foot before delicately chipping Sanchez to score his 18th league goal of the season and extend his impressive run to six goals in his last six matches across all competitions.
Phil Foden wrapped up victory three minutes from time when he ran on to Haaland’s lay-off to score his fifth goal in four games.
The win extended City’s unbeaten league run to six, gave Ederson the notable achievement of becoming the first goalkeeper to claim two assists in a single season in 16 years and, more importantly, spared the blushes of £33.6m debutant Abdukodir Khusanov, who had been at fault for Chelsea’s third-minute opener – when he headed the ball into Nicolas Jackson’s path deep into the City half. Jackson’s square pass to Noni Madueke gave the forward a tap-in.
Foden struck a post and City’s other new signing Omar Marmoush had a goal disallowed before Josko Gvardiol equalised as he reacted quickest to finish the rebound after Sanchez had denied Matheus Nunes.
Chelsea started brightly but missed a golden opportunity to double their lead when Cole Palmer’s pass was just out of reach for Jackson, who would have had an open goal to aim at. After that, Chelsea faded and remain without a win in their last 11 meetings with City.
Even with Enzo Maresca rotating his impressive lineup of international attackers, Chelsea never looked like threatening a comeback once Haaland had put City ahead.
