Erling Haaland capitalized on a monumental error by Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez to fire Manchester City to a crucial 3-1 victory, propelling them back into the Premier League’s top four. The Norwegian striker’s composed finish and Phil Foden’s late strike sealed the win, extending City’s unbeaten league run to six matches.
Sanchez’s mistake came in the 65th minute when he was caught out of position after rushing forward to challenge Haaland for a long ball from Ederson. Haaland outmuscled Trevoh Chalobah, shifted the ball onto his favored left foot, and delicately chipped it over the stranded goalkeeper for his 18th Premier League goal of the season.
City’s Resilience Overcomes Early Setback
The match began disastrously for City’s debutant, Abdukodir Khusanov, whose miscued header handed Chelsea the lead in the 3rd minute. Khusanov’s mistake allowed Nicolas Jackson to set up Noni Madueke for a simple tap-in.
Despite the early setback, City responded with determination. Josko Gvardiol restored parity in the 32nd minute, reacting quickest to slot home after Matheus Nunes’ shot was parried by Sanchez.
Phil Foden, in scintillating form, sealed the victory three minutes from time. The England international latched onto a clever Haaland lay-off to score his fifth goal in four games, leaving Chelsea with no way back.
A Baptism of Fire for Khusanov
The Premier League is an unforgiving arena, as Khusanov discovered in his debut. The Uzbek defender endured a torrid start, gifting Chelsea their opening goal and picking up a yellow card for a desperate foul on Cole Palmer shortly after.
Pep Guardiola, however, showed patience with the £33.6m signing. Khusanov, still adapting to the pace of English football and limited by a language barrier, was substituted in the 53rd minute for John Stones after an improved second-half display. Guardiola’s encouraging hug as Khusanov exited signaled his belief in the young defender’s potential.
Chelsea’s Struggles Persist Amid Sanchez’s Vulnerability
For Chelsea, this defeat highlighted familiar frailties. While they started brightly, their lack of cutting edge in the final third and defensive errors ultimately cost them. Sanchez’s blunder marked his fifth mistake leading directly to a goal this season, a glaring weakness that Chelsea have yet to address.
Cole Palmer, returning to the Etihad for the second time since his transfer to Chelsea, struggled to make an impact. The 22-year-old was kept in check by City’s defense and squandered a key opportunity to assist Jackson early in the match.
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Despite heavy investment in their squad, Chelsea’s inconsistency continues to undermine their top-four aspirations. They’ve now lost three of their last seven league matches, slipping further from the title race and into a battle for European qualification.
Man City Back in Contention
City’s victory was marked by resilience and moments of individual brilliance. Haaland’s clinical finishing and Ederson’s vision—earning him a second assist of the season—were pivotal. Guardiola will now shift focus to the Champions League, where City face a must-win clash against Club Brugge to secure a playoff spot.
For Chelsea, this defeat raises questions about their defensive stability and goalkeeping choices, with Sanchez increasingly under scrutiny. As the Blues aim to salvage their season, addressing these issues will be crucial to their hopes of returning to the Premier League’s elite.