A blistering display from a French international helped Manchester City see off Chelsea at Stamford Bridge

A blistering display from a French international helped Manchester City see off Chelsea at Stamford Bridge

Manchester City seized on Arsenal’s defeat to Bournemouth to move within six points of Mikel Arteta’s side with a 3-0 win over Chelsea today at Stamford Bridge. Second-half goals from Nico O’Reilly, Marc Guehi, and Jeremy Doku were enough for Pep Guardiola’s side to blow Chelsea away. City weren’t at their best in the first half. But they put their foot down after the interval to pick up a massive three points today. A blistering display from Rayan Cherki was at the heart of Manchester City’s win. The French international showed that he is built for the pressure that comes in a Premier League title race.

Rayan Cherki was superb for Manchester City as they blew Chelsea away at Stamford Bridge.

With today’s crucial Premier League fixture delicately poised at nil-all at halftime, Manchester City needed to find a way to win at Stamford Bridge against Chelsea. Liam Rosenior’s side did have their moments against City in the first half. But you did sense that Pep Guardiola’s side had gears to up in the second half. That was what transpired and it was Rayan Cherki who inspired his team to a massive 3-0 win.

First, it was Rayan Cherki’s pinpoint cross that picked out Nico O’Reilly to head home in the 51st minute to give Manchester City the lead. Cherki combined well with Antoine Semenyo on the right. He then played an inch-perfect cross with his left foot to pick out Nico O’Reilly. Cherki’s poise stood out as he took his time to produce the moment his team needed.

Six minutes later, Rayan Cherki produced the moment of the match to set up Marc Guehi, who scored Manchester City’s second goal. Cherki picked up the ball on the edge of the Chelsea area and dribbled his way across the penalty area. The Chelsea defenders didn’t want to put a foot in on Cherki, and eventually, he found the moment to pick out Marc Guehi. Cherki played a sublime ball with the outside of his foot to pick out the City defender. Guehi did the rest as he beat Chelsea keeper Robert Sanchez with a cool finish to give City a 2-0 lead. It was game over at that point.

Rayan Cherki has the character for big moments which matches his talent.

Manchester City needed a player to seize the moment against Chelsea today. It was Rayan Cherki who did so. Cherki is a character who isn’t flustered by moments, and he showed that today. He came up big for City in a big game which speaks volumes about his character as a player. He has the talent to match which stood out at Stamford Bridge today. Today’s win was massive in the scheme of the title race, and Rayan Cherki is a player made for the biggest stage.

Speaking after his team’s win over Chelsea, Pep Guardiola praised Cherki’s talent and the Manchester City manager had special praise for Cherki’s pass to Guehi. He explained: “Every player has his own ability. Rayan has something special. The second goal I said choose the pass right and he passed to Marc Guéhi that I could not even see from outside. He is a top talent and again what I said, if Manchester City decide to bring that player in, it is because Manchester City is working really well.”

Final thoughts.

Rayan Cherki played like a player today who isn’t phased by pressure. He stood up and did what he does best to help his team pick up a massive 3-0 win over Chelsea. Cherki was cool and composed under pressure, and his performance was a match-winning one. As the heat ramps up over the final stages of this season, Rayan Cherki looks capable of tilting the Premier League title race in Manchester City’s favour based on his display against Chelsea in a match that City simply had to win.