Manchester City 1 – 0 Chelsea EPL Match Report

Manchester City 1-0 Chelsea

[ Premier League 2017-18 Match ]

          46′ 1 – 0 Bernardo Silva

Bernardo Silva’s goal was enough for Manchester City to secure a 1-0 win over struggling champions Chelsea and move Pep Guardiola’s side one step closer to the Premier League title

The scoreline did not reflect City's dominance of a one-sided contest at the Etihad Stadium, with fading champions Chelsea offering little as they slipped to a fourth defeat in five league games.

Chelsea did at least make City dig deep for their victory as, playing without a recognised striker, they sat back, but Silva's 46th-minute breakthrough was no less than the hosts deserved.

It extended City's lead at the top of the table to 18 points and left them only four wins from the title, while Chelsea are five points adrift of the top four in fifth place.

It was an emotional occasion for Chelsea manager Antonio Conte following the sudden death of Italy international player Davide Astori. Conte wore a black armband in tribute.

Tactically, his approach was limited, with Eden Hazard playing up front as a false nine and Alvaro Morata on the bench. Chelsea were also without midfielder N'Golo Kante through illness and his absence showed as City completely dominated possession in the first half.

City manager Pep Guardiola watched as City controlled possession and Chelsea struggled to cross the halfway line.

Sergio Aguero, chasing his 200th goal for City, had the hosts' first attempt on goal but Antonio Rudiger blocked his shot. Aguero then teed up Silva after one of several runs by Leroy Sane, but Silva curled his attempt just over the bar.

Sane almost yielded a goal as he showed equisite control to bring down a Kevin De Bruyne free kick but Cesar Azpilicueta blocked on the line.

City did get the ball in the net before the break but Nicolas Otamendi's tap-in was ruled out for offside against Aguero.

Chelsea showed little ambition and they threatened just once in the first half.

Referee Michael Oliver played advantage after Oleksandr Zinchenko caught Victor Moses with a late tackle and Willian forced Ederson to save with his feet.

Zinchenko was eventually booked for the challenge and, after a number of other rash challenges, he was perhaps fortunate not to see a red card.

City were rewarded for their superiority within a minute of the restart. Aguero regained possession on the edge of the box and found the outstanding David Silva on the left. His cross was turned in by Bernardo Silva at the far post.

That finally stirred Chelsea into action and a Cesc Fabregas break created an opening for Moses, but he shot into the side-netting.

City upped the tempo and David Silva twice tried his luck, first forcing a save from Thibaut Courtois and then seeing an effort deflected for a corner.

Conte finally decided to introduce a striker after 78 minutes, but it was Olivier Giroud, and not Morata, who initially got the call. Morata entered the fray in the last minute but Chelsea's last chance came and went as Marcos Alonso sliced wide.