Chelsea vs Man City summary: score, goals, highlights, Premier League 2021/22

On the whistle report

An early second-half goal from Gabriel Jesus with Manchester City's first shot on target earned the Premier League champions a 1-0 win over joint league leaders Chelsea on Saturday.

Jesus pushed the ball home with a deflection off Jorginho after a goalmouth melee in the 53rd minute following City's 10th corner of the game. The goal sparked the match into life, forcing Chelsea to attack, after a first half of intense pressure from City and attritional defending from the home side. It was a deserved win for the visitors who pressed Chelsea from the outset and enjoyed 60% possession with Kevin de Bruyne, Jack Grealish and Phil Foden buzzing round Chelsea's area.

The victory also broke a three-match losing streak for City against Chelsea, the most recent in the Champions League final in Porto in May.

A big win indeed

Full-time

Goals: Jesus (53')

Peep, peep, peeeeeep! It's all over. City win at the Bridge!

A final chance for Chelsea here, surely, as they get a free kick deep in the City half.

It's lofted high and Ederson comes out to catch, fall and smother.

Chelsea swing a free-kick into a busy penalty box but City's defence holds up and Ederson immediately believes getting the ball to the other end of the pitch is the best idea, so sends Sterling on his way.

The talent in the feet of those City players, and the confidence that is coached into them, means you often feel they could play themselves out of a locked shed. Another example there as Chelsea players press in numbers.

We're back underway. What have Chelsea got?

Four minutes of added time signalled (although after the current stoppage expect more)

Havertz is down on the ground after a clash with Ederson (also down) as they challenged for a high-bouncing through ball.

Upon second viewing, the keeper's double-fisted punch didn't catch the German and they should both be fine to continue.

Lukaku takes up a great position in the middle but just can't reach Azpilicueta's ball in from the right. Almost vintage.

Sterling and Fernandinho on for Grealish and Foden (not a bad bench there, Pep!)

Chelsea certainly giving a much better account of themselves since the goal - shame we had to wait so long - but chances are scarce.

Rüdiger the latest Chelsea player to have his name taken

Mendy denies Grealish

The former Villa man is through on goal with only the keeper to beat, which he can't.

A little dink over the advancing Mendy was probably the right idea... but not that little.

Chelsea almost get themselves into trouble trying to knock the ball around their own area as Sky Blues descend. Eventually they get it away and work it to Werner on the right who slides in a really dangerous ball.

It's a City foot first to it though and booted away.

Mahrez is on for De Bruyne

Laporte inches away

A stunning delivery from the free-kick wide, but deep, on the right from De Bruyne is met at the back post by the defender.

A stretched leg is all he can get on it with the effort so, so close to doubling City's lead.

Two more into the book. Christensen and Alonso for Chelsea

Loftus-Cheek coming on as Tuchel looks to change things up. Jorginho off.

Both Cancelo and de Bruyne fling in a cross each trying to cause some problems for Rüdiger and co but neither have much quality about them.

I think this is very fair from James...

Kovacic pushes on

Lukaku plays in the Croatian on the edge of the City area and the 27-year-old (yeah, he's only 27!) doesn't need a second invitation to try his luck after recent joy in front of goal.

Mendy is moving quickly across his line to deal with it but a sliding block knocks it away for a corner.

Kovacic breaks at pace from that City corner but he can't cope with the speed of Walker who covers up brilliantly.

City close again

A flurry of chances present themselves for the visitors, the final one to De Bruyne whose shot is deflected for a corner.

Nothing to note from the deadball situation.

Alonso takes his time then tries to curl the ball over the wall and into the near post. It deflects and out for a corner.

Much better starting to come from Chelsea - see what happens when you take the brakes off!

Laporte first into the book, pulling down a much more lively Lukaku. Free-kick in a useful position just outside the area.

Lukaku has the ball in the net tapping in after some great play from the recently introduced Havertz (sorry I forgot to mention that with all the action!).

It's just a shame that the sub was about a metre offside when the ball was headed on to him before.

Off the line

City almost have a second but it's Thiago Silva who clears Jesus' effort off the line. As Chelsea start to step out from their defensive focus, this game is being stretched.

Grealish close

Straight from that Chelsea threat, City are back at it.

Grealish it is with another curling effort, very similar to an earlier one, and it's very close to squeezing in at the far post. Third time lucky, maybe?

Werner played in behind the City defence but Ederson is fast and out to clear.

The hosts are starting to have a go...but clearly that leaves more space behind.

Chelsea have to react to this and quickly win themselves a corner. It's a little short and cleared away at the front post.

Chelsea intercept a City attack and break quickly down the right with Werner. The problem with the opportunity is that the German is completely isolated with three Sky Blues closing in. The hosts surely have to puff out their chests and push men forward at some point.

Grealish curler

The 100-million-pound summer signing gets himself involved a couple of times in quick succession. The latter ends with a decent curling effort but was always staying wide of Mendy's left post.

Both sets of players get some touches on the ball and Chelsea twice go for a quick, long pass looking for the flick on of Lukaku to Werner. Both times City players read it and intercept.

Is that Tuchel's idea of inventiveness?

The hosts start things off but within a few seconds are forced into an error and City start to build.

Peep! And we're off again...

The players are heading out...

First-half musings

Well, all those who have heaped champions-in-waiting praise on Tuchel's Blues may be reconsidering their views after watching that half. Don't get me wrong, they are still an excellent team, are still one of the favourites (at home and abroad) and can, of course, go on to win this game.

But there is no getting away from the fact that they have struggled to live with City thus far today.

It's the first time under Tuchel that Chelsea have failed to have a shot on target in an EPL first half at Stamford Bridge, and they've only mustered one effort at all.

City have had control of this game in the same way they often do against mid-table teams. A clear difference being that Chelsea have a multi-million pound set of players who are capable of defending well as a unit.

Much more is expected from them this year though. They should be able to go out and match the best. They now have a chance to show it.

Yes, you are Sachin. C'mon!

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Before we look back on that first half, a reminder that you can follow today's other early kick-off with Rob.

It's also goalless at the break.

Peep!! Oliver blows and the players head towards the changing rooms.

We'll have two more minutes of play.

Corner to City (I'll need to copy that to the clipboard) and Chelsea have to work hard to clear their lines. They do though.

A great diagonal switch gives Kanté the chance to swing in a cross from wide on the right. Alonso is the closest to it in the area but he's still around a metre too short. Poor.

Jesus close

De Bruyne and Foden link up beautifully, with the English star dinking a ball over to Jesus in the middle of the Chelsea area. He controls on the chest but then hits the bouncing ball well wide.

Pep on the bench is getting very animated.

On and on the pattern of this game continues. City build pressure and this time it leads to a shot from distance for De Bruyne, well over the bar.

During the possession, Chelsea won the ball back but as they move it forward into the feet of Lukaku, the striker miss-controls and loses it. Very little on offer from the hosts, except a tight defence.

Fodden's delivery is good but Chelsea do well to get it away.

Another attack, though, gives De Bruyne the chance to swing one in from the other corner flag. He takes it short before hitting an awful ball over the heads of everyone.

City appear to have realised that goals don't come for sustained possession and another strike comes in from Rodri. It looks on target but a deflection takes it away from Mendy and out for another corner.

Chelsea go long, one for Werner to chase but Ederson is quickly out and leathers the ball high into - or maybe over - the stand.

De Bruyne blocked

A clever turn inside the defender gives City's Belgian a chance to shoot from the edge of the area. There's not much room though, as you've probably gathered from my comments, and his efforts is blocked as it leaves his boot.

James can't continue and Thiago Silva is on to replace him. He'll have seen what has been happening.

While we wait on play to return, it's worth mentioning the home fans. A great noise welcomed their league leaders onto the pitch but such has been City's dominance of play that it has quietened considerably.

They're clearly still in this game, but are suggesting that they are very much a counter attacking side when up against the best.

James took a knock earlier and he's down getting more attention now on the pitch.

His glance at the bench suggests he may need to consider a replacement.

The first corner is followed by another. The Second sees Mendy beat the head of Dias to punch clear. City pick up play and start again.

A rare period of play from the home side, and even rarer it's Kante that helps to create the move through the midfield - he's been chasing shadows thus far.

The build-up finds Lukaku wide on the right, but as he is forced backwards, Pep's troops gang up and spring into pressing action, the ball then heading all the way back to Mendy. From that, more pressure is applied and City win yet another corner.

Chelsea currently don't know what to do.

Chelsea got a lot of plaudits, and rightly so, for holding out against Liverpool after going a man down. That performance did make me think that Tuchel is more than happy to sit in against the better sides, even with equal numbers and this half is strengthening my case.

As my good friend always says in times like these, there is more than one way to skin a cat.

Another wasted corner from City. This time De Bruyne giving some catching practice to Mendy.

Lukak..ooooh!

From that last City chance, Chelsea break with Werner on the left. His low ball across the six-yard box is met by his Belgian partner but, under pressure from Dias, fluffs the effort and City escape.

It's the first threat from the hosts, one that has raised the noise around Stamford Bridge.

City getting closer

De Bruyne is played in down the inside left channel and cuts back one of those balls that Agüero used to knock home so often.

This time there is no one coming into that space and Chelsea clear.

Pass after pass. City's build-up switches from side to side, prodding at this wall of dark blue shirts but not getting through.

Jesus links up down the right and then does brilliantly to win the ball back.

A slight stop in play there as Reece James got some treatment but we're back underway and the defender seems fine to continue.

Chelsea need to think of a new way to actually get through this impressive City press.

Chelsea look for Werner to hold up play on the halfway line to allow them to move up. A solid challenge from behind the German as he receives the pass by Dias gets Oliver blowing on his whistle. A breather here for the hosts.

The Sky Blues again target in behind the Chelsea full backs, as Walker plays in Jesus. The Brazilian's cross is smothered but it's another corner.

Foden's deliver is at the perfect height and position for a goalkeeper to come and collect...which Mendy duly does.

It's taken five minutes for Chelsea to get their first escape from their own half but Werner is unable to beat his man and City bring it away again.

Impressive control from City in these very early stages.

Foden delivers from the corner and Rodrigo almost gets a head on it before he's nudged away with a strong challenge. Danger gone.

First threat

Brilliant little nutmeg from Foden opens up space and then he feeds Silva who whips in a great cross. It's well defended Alonso but at the expense of a corner.

After winning possession back again quickly, Grealish tries to get the better of James but is strong-armed out the way, and off the pitch. Another goal kick.

City get the play going and a chase for Foden down the right results in Christensen shielding well and allowing the ball to run away for a goal kick.

Peeep! We're off

The players, most of them anyway, take to the knee ahead of kick-off...

If you're interested, and many are, Michael Oliver is our ref for today. I could pull together a list of the times these sides had him whistling when the result didn't go their way but, sorry to say, that doesn't help anyone.

Right, we're getting very close to the action... The players are heading out onto the field and the crowd is warming up very nicely. Daggers playing out loud

Midfield maestros

Kevin de Bruyne has had a slow start to the season - by his standards - marked by lingering injuries, but he has scored in his last three appearances for City.

For the hosts, Matteo Kovacic has contributed a goal and two assists in his last two league starts. Today is a tougher test.

Bent signposts for Chelsea-City top two

Former Premier League striker Darren Bent has suggested that the game we're about to enjoy is between this season's best two sides. The bookies agree with him...

Man City's challenging week

They say, don't they, that there is never an easy game in the Premier League, and that the Champions League will always test even the best.

As we know, they are not always right and, of course, there are numerous very easy games when better teams come up against weaker opposition.

This week, however, is pretty much as tough as it gets for Pep Guardiola's side. Today Chelsea, midweek PSG, and then next weekend Liverpool... all away from home.

An absolute dream for us fans though...

Striking intent

Much of the Chelsea focus in terms of goals has been on their new Belgian arrival. It's worth bearing in mind, especially if you're a Man City defender today, that they possess an array of attacking weapons.

They have had ten different goalscorers already this season contributing to all their league wins coming via a 2+ goal margin.

The London side have also seemingly had City’s number of late, especially in high stake games, beating them in last season’s FA Cup semi-final and the UEFA Champions League final, each forming part of a sequence of three successive competitive wins.

Premier League mirroring

Want to see something truly incredible? Here are the first five weeks of results for both Chelsea and Liverpool:

Week 1: Liverpool win 3-0, Chelsea win 3-0

Week 2: Liverpool win 2-0, Chelsea win 2-0

Week 3: Liverpool draw 1-1, Chelsea draw 1-1

Week 4: Liverpool win 3-0, Chelsea win 3-0

Week 5: Liverpool win 3-0, Chelsea win 3-0

Given that Chelsea are playing the reigning champions and UCL finalists, and the Reds are up against Premier League newboys Brentford - albeit an impressive start from them) - I'd be massively surprised to see more copycat behaviour.

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If you'd rather/also follow the happenings there, join my revered colleague Rob Train. (I'm predicting a Villa upset, if you care to know.)

City's take on the teams

OK, I understand. You may not only want my view on these line-ups.

Here's the opinion from Manchester's Etihad stadium.

Grass, I can see the grass!

This is an image that any football-going fan can associate with. Remember the first time you went to a new stadium? Walking up those steps to the point where everything comes into view. I've got goosebumps just thinking about it.

And following the covid lockout, there will be plenty of these feelings back this season.

Chelsea vs City: line-ups assessed

Tuchel has gone with Lukaku and Werner together against a CIty backline that has shown some areas for concern this season. For me, the hard-working German striker is a perfect foil for the big Belgian. One concern, however, is on Werner's finishing as playing alongside Lukaku means you're going to get more space and more chances. He must improve on that or his days in blue are numbered.

Despite no target man, as such, City's attacking threat comes from all areas. De Bruyne, Bernardo, Foden, Jesus and Grealish have magic in their feet, but it's whether they can break down a stubborn defence.

The betting has changed since the team news was announced, City edging into the role of favourites, but my money is on the draw.

Starting XI - Man City

Ederson, Walker, Dias (C), Laporte, Cancelo, Rodrigo, De Bruyne, Bernardo, Foden, Jesus, Grealish.

Starting XI - Chelsea

Mendy, Azpilicueta, Rüdiger, Christensen, Alonso, James, Kovačić, Jorginho, Kanté, Werner, Lukaku

Premier League: how it stands at the top

As you can see, it's rather close at the summit, and even after only five games we're seeing a fairly predictable set of clubs - nod to Brighton for getting their moment.

Chelsea have four wins and one draw from their opening games and sit level with an identical record to Liverpool. Whether they will still be there after lunchtime in England on Saturday will depend on how things go against Pep’s side, as well as in the day’s other early kick off as Manchester United (in third place but level on points with Chelsea) host Aston Villa. The Reds head to newly promoted Brentford in the evening KO.

City really won't want to fall six point behind their three rivals this early.

Chelsea team thoughts

Tuchel is looking to record his fourth straight win over Guardiola's City.

While manager of Mainz and Borussia Dortmund, Tuchel failed to win any of his five first meetings against Guardiola in Germany when the latter was coach of Bayern Munich.

But since joining Chelsea in January, the German coach has won all three of his games against his Spanish counterpart, beating City in the FA Cup in April before victories in the Premier League and the Champions League in May.

City stats

Up in Manchester the focus is on an impressive array of statistics.

It's fair to say that the Sky Blues have been the dominant side in England over recent years but many people have them to struggle to retain their title this season with Chelsea, Liverpool and United all looking potential winners...

Chelsea reminder

The Blues' social media team are happy to look back on some of their successes in the build-up to this game.

Tuchel vs Guardiola

The German against the Spaniard. Thomas Tuchel and Pep Guardiola went head to head just a few months ago in the Champions League final, the newly-introduced London boss eventually lifting the trophy.

And with the addition of striker Romelu Lukaku, Tuchel is seen as the likely manager to take the domestic league title away from the City tactician.

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Chelsea vs Man City: how and where to watch - times, TV, online

Obviously you'll be keen to watch the action from Stamford Bridge and so we've created this little guide to help you with KO times where you live as well as television and online options.

As our regular followers always tell us though, the best way to fully enjoy a game is with our minute-by-minute coverage alongside you. Isn't technology great!?

Chelsea vs Man City live: welcome

Hello and a spectacular welcome to you wherever you are joining me from around the globe. What a game we have lined up for you as the two current favourites for the Premier League title with the betting houses go up against each other.

Stay with me for the next few hours for build-up, live coverage, and all the reaction... It's not one to miss!