Manchester City 3 Chelsea 0: City player ratings as City pile the pressure onto Arsenal

Manchester City 3 Chelsea 0: City player ratings as City pile the pressure onto Arsenal

Manchester City 3 (Nico O’Reilly 51′ Marc Guehi 57′, Jeremy Doku 68′)

Chelsea 0

Here are the City player ratings as Manchester City upped the ante after halftime to beat Chelsea 3-0 at Stamford Bridge earlier today. The win sees Pep Guardiola’s side move to within six points of Arsenal as Manchester City seized the opportunity to build real pressure on Arsenal after Mikel Arteta’s side were beaten by Bournemouth yesterday. City now sit six points behind Arsenal with a game in hand, and they host the Premier League leaders next Sunday at the Etihad in what looms as a season-defining match next weekend.

Today’s match was a tale of two halves, to borrow a football cliché. Chelsea thought they opened the scoring in the 16th minute through a smart finish by Marc Cucurella. But the Spanish international had strayed offside in the build-up, and his goal was ruled out. Three minutes later, Gianluigi Donnarumma made a strong save to deny Pedro Neto as the Italian international showed he was the keeper for the big occasion.

Chelsea keeper Robert Sanchez denied Bernardo Silva on the half-hour mark after a neat move between Jeremy Doku and Nico O’Reilly saw O’Reilly play in a cross from the left that found Bernardo Silva, but Sanchez kept out Bernardo’s attempt at goal out with a smart save at his near post. A 20-yard strike from Rayan Cherki and a deflected strike that went just wide from Antoine Semenyo were the best chances for Manchester City to open the scoring in the first half. Pep Guardiola’s side did grow into the game in the first half, but the game went to the interval at nil-all.

Manchester City up the ante after halftime to blow Chelsea away.

It was Nico O’Reilly who opened the scoring five minutes after halftime. Rayan Cherki played in a stunning cross from the right, and the Manchester City left-back headed past Robert Sanchez to give Pep Guardiola’s side the lead. It was clear that City had taken their play up a gear after halftime as they sensed an opportunity to put the game to bed.

Marc Guehi would make it 2-0 in the 57th minute. Rayan Cherki evaded a host of challenges on the Chelsea area and played a brilliant ball to Marc Guehi in the penalty area. The England international hit a low shot into the far corner to give City a 2-0 lead. Rayan Cherki was brilliant for the goal as the French international grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck.

Manchester City would make it 3-0 in the 68th minute. Jeremy Doku dispossessed Chelsea midfielder Moises Caceido in a dangerous position. Doku surged into the Chelsea area and unleashed an unstoppable strike past Robert Sanchez to make it 3-0. The game was over and Manchester City’s job was done.

When the final whistle blew, Manchester City had done what was required to build pressure on Arsenal. Pep Guardiola’s side had picked up a massive three points, and the manner of their victory continued their impressive recent form. City will now have a week to prepare for next weekend’s clash with Arsenal, and they are in scintillating form, having dispatched Arsenal, Liverpool, and now Chelsea in their past three matches.

City player ratings.

**Gianluigi Donnarumma-8/10:**Made one big save in the first half and commanded his area well today. A very good display from Donnarumma.

**Matheus Nunes-7/10:**Like his team, Nunes wasn’t great in the first half but he did up his game after halftime.

**Abdukodir Khusanov-7/10:**A typical no-nonsense display from Khusanov.

**Marc Guehi-8.5/10:**Guehi took his goal well and was extremely solid at the back.

**Nico O’Reilly-8.5/10:**Yet again Nico O’Reilly scored at a crucial time for his team. His overall performance was superb. He was taken off after 64 minutes with what seemed to be a hamstring issue which is a cause for concern for Manchester City.

Rodri-6.5/10: Manchester City’s midfield general struggled in the first half as the pace of the game did not suit him. He was much better after halftime and played an important role in his team’s win.

**Bernardo Silva-7.5/10:**Another captain’s display from Bernardo. Did all of the grunt work for his team once again.

**Antoine Semenyo-7/10:**Got into dangerous positions but didn’t take his chances today.

**Rayan Cherki-10/10:**The French international was easily the man-of-the-match today. He set up Manchester City’s first two goals with quality assists and he was a constant threat to the Chelsea defence after halftime.

**Jeremy Doku-8/10:**Grabbed a goal and was busy throughout today’s match.

**Erling Haaland-7/10:**Haaland toiled away up front and did everything his team needed him to do at Stamford Bridge.

Substitutes.

Rayan Ait-Nouri-6.5/10: Replaced Nico O’Reilly at left-back and played well after coming on.

Phil Foden-N/A: Not on long enough to mark.

Savinho-N/A: Not on long enough to mark.

Mateo Kovacic-N/A: Not on long enough to mark but it was good to see him back on the pitch.