Pep Guardiola ended his three-match run of consecutive defeats against Thomas Tuchel as his side defeated Chelsea 1-0 at Stamford Bridge on Saturday afternoon. Gabriel Jesus got the only goal of the game in the 53rd minute as City dominated Chelsea from start to finish.
City were able to hold the Blues to zero shots on target throughout the whole course of the match with 59% possession to boot. Once again, it was a fascinating tactical battle between the two coaches as Pep looked to use a high press in a very positive approach.
Tuchel, however, set up with his side behind the ball, focusing on a solid defensive structure. This time it did not work out for the former Borussia Dortmund and Paris Saint-Germain head coach as Pep got one over him to stake a big claim in this years title race.
Here, we take a look at the player ratings from the biggest game of the season so far.
"Thomas Tuchel has Pep Guardiola's number."
Chelsea 0-1 Man City ? pic.twitter.com/guSCImjMQk
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) September 25, 2021
Chelsea
Edouard Mendy – 8
The Blues’ keeper returned after missing the last two matches due to injury in what was a fine performance. The scoreline could have been a lot worse but he made a number of good saves, including a curling effort from Jack Grealish in the second half and could do nothing about the goal.
Cesar Azpilicueta – 6
The captain had an average game at the back as Chelsea had to withstand a constant barrage of City attacks. Moved to right wing-back after James was subbed off but did not offer much going forward and City threatened the most down his side in the second half.
Andreas Christensen – 7
The Danish centre-back did well in the back three and was able to nullify City’s threat as best he could. Was accurate from the back with his passing and had a solid game.
Antonio Rudiger – 7.5
Rudiger had a fine game, was Chelsea’s best defender and probably the best player in the first half. Won some key headers, blocks and tackles to largely keep City at bay as well as distributing the ball well from the back.
Reece James – N/A
James had to be substituted early in the first half due to injury so does not warrant a rating. However, he did contain Grealish well in the limited time he was on the pitch.
N’Golo Kanté – 5.5
Was quite sloppy with his passes and was not involved too much throughout before being subbed off in the 60th minute. Still made a few good challenges in the midfield as usual.
Jorginho – 6
Sat deep to dictate tempo behind Kanté and Kovacic and had very good ball retention with 94% pass accuracy. Chelsea played the ball fairly well in deeper positions and in midfield but they struggled defensively.
Mateo Kovacic – 6.5
Was one of the players for Chelsea who showed a bit more attacking intent in the second half as he tried to play more progressive balls. Made a couple of good passes in behind the City defense.
Marcos Alonso – 5.5
The Spaniard was not at his best and failed to offer an attacking threat due to being pinned back so deep. Most of City’s attacks, certainly in the second half, came down the left so he also did not have too much to do.
Romelu Lukaku – 5
The Belgian forward struggled as he was tasked to hold the ball up on the counter for Chelsea. Gave the ball away too often and also lost the ball in possession, allowing Chelsea to struggle in the first half, and was rarely involved.
Timo Werner – 6
A tough day for the German as Tuchel looked for Chelsea to exploit his speed on the counter. Was the only player who caused any sign of danger for City but struggled against Ruben Dias and Aymeric Laporte.
Substitutions
Thiago Silva – 7
Came on to replace James early in the first half as Azpilicueta moved to right wing-back. The Brazilian had a very solid game at the back, on par for the rest of the Chelsea centre-halves, winning some good headers and challenges.
Kai Havertz – 5
Was on for half an hour and struggled to get into the game, completing just four passes and only having seven touches.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek – N/A
Chelsea 0-1 Man City FT:
xG: 0.22-1.45
Shots: 5-15
Shots on target: 0-4
Big Chances: 0-2
Touches in opp. box: 8-27
Possession: 40%-60%
Pass accuracy: 82%-88%
Fouls: 12-10The perfect display from Pep Guardiola's side. pic.twitter.com/mSs72mIDO9
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) September 25, 2021
Manchester City
Ederson – 6.5
Had very little to do with Chelsea having no shots on target but did well in aerial challenges and did his job when called upon.
Kyle Walker – 7
Had a very solid game and looked to push high in the press and look for the overlap for City going forward. Did his job well at the back when needed.
Ruben Dias – 7.5
Was brilliant at the back, linking well with Laporte and Rodri to protect City when they were hit on the break and dealt with the threat of Lukaku and Werner well.
Aymeric Laporte – 7.5
Laporte and his centre-back partner showed their class and dealt with any Chelsea attacks comfortably. His distribution from the back was also top notch with 99% pass accuracy.
Joao Cancelo – 8.5
A brilliant performance by the Portuguese international as he combined well with Grealish down the left and pushed high. Defended well when needed and always looked to be a threat, also providing the assist for the goal.
Rodri – 8
Had a top game in central midfield, sitting deeper than his partner Bernardo Silva. Offered great protection to shield the defence, winning the ball back well, and also made the most passes in the match, dictating tempo from deep.
Bernardo Silva – 7.5
Had a fine game in a deep role and partnered Rodri well in centre midfield. Won the most duels in the match and battled hard in what was a very good performance.
Jack Grealish – 7.5
Struggled a little bit in the first half and the Chelsea defenders contained him well as he looked to go down the left. However, he looked to cut in on his right and was very dangerous throughout the second half, forcing Mendy into making a fine save.
Kevin De Bruyne – 6.5
Was not at his best, for his high standards, and his end product could have been better.
Phil Foden – 6.5
Least involved out of City’s starting eleven but still created the most chances in the match with four.
Gabriel Jesus – 7
The Brazilian had a good game and caused Chelsea problems, often occupying the right flank. Great centre-forward play for the goal, holding the ball up well and finding space for the shot.