Erling Haaland inspired a Manchester City fightback from 1-0 down to beat Chelsea 3-1 and move into the Premier League top four at the Blues’ expense on Saturday.
City recovered from a scary start to Abdukodir Khusanov’s debut as his fumble gifted the visitors the opening goal, scored by Noni Madueke.
City’s victory puts them in pole position to qualify for next season’s Champions League
Josko Gvardiol subsequently levelled for Pep Guardiola’s men before Haaland again proved his immense worth by showing his blend of strength and skill to chip in 22 minutes from time. The Norwegian after that turned provider for the in-form Phil Foden to secure City’s fourth win in five league games after just one in their previous nine.
Chelsea have won just once in their last seven Premier League games, dropping to sixth and will once again reflect on the need to upgrade on goalkeeper Robert Sanchez after his positioning led to Haaland’s crucial goal.
City’s victory puts them back in pole position to qualify for next season’s Champions League, just days before they try to save themselves in this season’s competition.
Guardiola threw in in new signings Khusanov and Omar Marmoush for their debuts, with the decision backfiring in the case of Khusanov inside three minutes as the Uzbek did not properly connect with an attempted header back towards his own goal and Nicolas Jackson pounced to tee up Madueke for a tap in. Moments later Khusanov was fortunate to get away with only a yellow card for chopping down Cole Palmer.
By contrast, Marmoush was showing why only Bayern Munich’s Harry Kane had scored more Bundesliga goals than him this season prior to his move from Eintracht Frankfurt.
Gvardiol’s marauding runs from left-back were also Chelsea’s biggest threat and, just before half-time, had a simple task for his fifth Premier League goal of the season.
Despite City’s struggles, Haaland has remained a reliable source of goals as he took his tally for the season to 24, six of which have come in the last six games. And he created he third goal as his layoff sent Foden clear to slot home his sixth goal in his last four league games.