Manchester City moved five points behind Premier League leaders Arsenal defeating Chelsea 1-0 at Stamford Bridge on Thursday night.
Premier League
Result: Chelsea 0-1 Manchester City
Date: 05 January 2023
Venue: Stamford Bridge
The Blues made two changes from the draw with Nottingham Forest, as Jorginho and Mason Mount made way for Mateo Kovacic and Hakim Ziyech in the midfield.
Graham Potter was forced to make a change six minutes into the clash, as Raheem Sterling was forced off with an injury and replaced by Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
The hosts went close to breaking the deadlock on 16 minutes when Kai Havertz played in Christian Pulisic, but the American winger denied by a superb last-ditch challenge from John Stones.
That proved to be Pulisic's last major involvement as he picked up an injury of his own with 22 minutes played, with 19-year-old Carney Chukwuemeka coming on as his replacement.
The Citizens had to wait until the 32nd minute for an opening as Ilkay Gundogan went close with an effort from distance, before Erling Haaland fired over from close range minutes later at the other end.
The woodwork then came to City's rescue just before the interval as Chukwuemeka was given time and space on the edge of the box before rattling the upright.
Both sides came out firing in the second half as De Bruyne was denied by a fine save by Kepa Arrizabalaga, while Thiago Silva fired inches wide from ten yards at the other end.
Citizens manager Pep Guardiola responded with a double change on the hour mark, as Jack Grealish and Riyad Mahrez replaced Phil Foden and Bernardo Silva.
The changes paid off minutes later as Grealish sent a first-time cross to the far post where Mahrez was on hand to slot home for the opening goal for the away side.
Potter responded with a few changes of his own, with Conor Gallagher, Lewis Hall and Omari Giraud-Hutchinson coming on for Ziyech, Marc Cucurella and Aubameyang for the final 20 minutes.
Hall had a chance to get the Blues back on level terms on 90 minutes after being slipped in on the left side of the box, but he fired well over the crossbar as the Citizens held on for the win.
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