56 min Whatever Pep Guardiola said at half-time has worked, because they are all over Chelsea<\/a> like a cheap cliche.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 54 min City have been brilliant since half-time. Semenyo controls a long pass, chops back inside Cucurella and hits a shot that deflects behind. Cucurella made a really good recovery challenge, though he was then booked for dissent.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 53 min Honestly, I\u2019m struggling to recall a full-back in football history who scored centre-forward\u2019s goals with the frequency and timing of Nico O\u2019Reilly. There have been better goalscorers, of course, but full-backs usually score from weird and wonderful angles and distances. O\u2019Reilly is taking the bread from Erling Haaland\u2019s table!<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a012.43 EDT<\/p>\n This kid is remarkable and he has given City the lead with another excellent goal. After a patient build-up on the right, Cherki teased a lovely ball towards a crowd of players on the six-yard line. O\u2019Reilly fought his way past Andrey Santos and headed emphatically past Sanchez. Wow.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>GOAL! Chelsea 0-1 Man City (O’Reilly 51)<\/p>\n Name a left-back who scores more goalscorer\u2019s goals than Nico O\u2019Reilly? I\u2019ll wait.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 49 min Having seen a replay, I think that shot from Haaland was going well wide.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 48 min Doku wants a penalty after a slight shove from Palmer in the area. Not enough in that.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 47 min: Chance for Haaland! Doku angles a sharp pass into the area for Haaland, who gets away an early shot that is crucially blocked by Hato. I\u2019m not certain Haaland\u2019s shot was on target \u2013 but if it was, Sanchez wouldn\u2019t have saved it.<\/p>\n Moments later, Cherki\u2019s cross-shot takes a touch and flies wide of the farp ost.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 46 min Chelsea begin the second half.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cSo far so good, -ish, for the Arsenal fan,\u201d shivers Charles Antaki. \u201cAfter yesterday, when my lucky rabbit\u2019s foot, four leaf clover, horseshoe and combined prayer wheel\/dreamcatcher utterly failed to deliver a decent result against Bournemouth \u2013 it\u2019s almost as if groundless superstitious practices can\u2019t be relied on \u2013 things are taking a turn for the better here. Of course, this might herald an avalanche of goals from Haaland in the second half, so it\u2019s the voodoo doll out again. He\u2019s a lovely boy, and there\u2019s nothing personal of course, but a dismal afternoon from him and his team is what the witch doctor ordered.\u201d<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cAs the game wore on, my eyes kept being drawn to the Manchester City kit,\u201d writes K\u00e1ri Tulinius. \u201cNow, I\u2019m not one to hate on all gry football shirts, City have had some nice ones in fact, but something about the combination of light grey and neon green puts me in mind of a cheap 1990s pocket radio. Speaking of that decade, is that the worst Premier League kit since Manchester United\u2019s one-half wonder in 1996<\/a>?\u201d<\/p>\n At least that kit looked good with jeans.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Half-time reading<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Half time: Chelsea 0-0 Man City<\/p>\n Andrey Santos heads a half chance over the bar, the last touch of an interesting if largely uneventful first half at Stamford Bridge. Marc Cucurella had a goal disallowed for offside at one end; Robert Sanchez saved well from Bernardo Silva at the other.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 45+1 min Bernardo Silva\u2019s inswinging corner beats everyone and goes out for a goalkick on the far side.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 45 min Semenyo bursts into life with a typical run across the face of the penalty area. Eventually he reverses a shot that takes a nick off a defender and goes behind for a corner.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 44 min City have had 68 per cent possession, though their performance hasn\u2019t felt that dominant.<\/p>\n Chelsea’s Joao Pedro and Manchester City’s Jeremy Doku. Photograph: Rob Newell\/CameraSport\/Getty ImagesShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a012.36 EDT<\/p>\n 43 min Estevao\u2019s first dangerous run is ended by a good tackle from Bernardo Silva. The game needs a goal.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 39 min O\u2019Reilly makes good ground on the left and plays a crisp cutback to Cherki. He sweeps a first-time shot from 17 yards that is too close to Sanchez.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 38 min Semenyo is booked for a nothing foul on Neto. After a good start, the match has become bitty.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 36 min Estevao, who has been booked, is penalised for a clumsy tackle on Doku. Careful now.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 34 min Doku finds the underlapping O\u2019Reilly near the byline in the area. His precise cutback is met by Bernardo Silva, whose close-range shot \u2013 taken under pressure and therefore not cleanly struck \u2013 is well blocked by Sanchez.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 33 min Donnarumma runs 20 yards out of his area to stop Joao Pedro running only his own lob forward. Important goalkeeping because Joao Pedro was away.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 30 min Neto, apparently boxed in near the corner flag, nutmegs Nunes magnificently. Rodri has to step across to concede a corner.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a012.01 EDT<\/p>\n 29 min Gusto\u2019s cross just evades the stretching Joao Pedro, who had made an excellent run to get the wrong side of Guehi.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 27 min Doku barrels into a crowded area, but it\u2019s all a bit tight and he eventually overruns the ball.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 24 min Now it\u2019s City\u2019s turn to have a dominant spell, and Chelsea\u2019s turn to assume the defensive position.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 21 min Nunes sprays a crossfield pass out to Doku. He muscles past Gusto, charges into the area and cracks a shot that is blocked.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 19 min Pedro Neto bounces Rodri to the ground \u2013 yep \u2013 then slithers outside a defender and drives a low shot from the angle that is beaten round the near post by Donnarumma. Chelsea<\/a> are bossing this, certainly in terms of penetration.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a011.49 EDT<\/p>\n 18 min \u201cI don\u2019t like supporting City, but here we are,\u201d hereweares Matt Dony. \u201cTwo disappointing Peps. I have a longstanding (and, admittedly, fairly irrational) dislike for Guardiola. And it makes me a little bit sick every time I see Lijnders on that bench. But I need Chelsea<\/a> to lose. So Blue Moon, Poznan, Oasis and all that. My living room is blue. For a bit, at least.\u201d<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 16 min: Disallowed goal for Chelsea! Marc Cucurella finishes smartly after a fabulous run from Joao Pedro. The flag goes up for offside, and though it looks very tight to the naked eye, the decision is confirmed by VAR.<\/p>\n Marc Cucurella of Chelsea scores but his effort is ruled out by VAR. Photograph: Nigel Keene\/ProSports\/ShutterstockChelsea manager Liam Rosenior reacts on the touchline. Photograph: John Walton\/PAShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a012.19 EDT<\/p>\n 13 min Palmer even gets back to make an important tackle on Doku in his own area. It\u2019s been a fun start to the game, with both teams looking bright and breezy in possession.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 12 min Chelsea are dominating possession now, with Palmer heavily involved. He is bang up for this.<\/p>\n Estevao is booked for kickinjg the ball away.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 11 min \u201cIt does look lovely, Stamford Bridge bathing in the sun,\u201d writes Peter Oh. \u201cEnzo Fernandez is even wearing shades in the stands. He\u2019s practically in Madrid!\u201d<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 10 min Palmer gets the wrong side of Rodri and is cynically pulled back by the shirt. The referee gives a free-kick but surprisingly declines to show a yellow card.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 10 min A deflected shot from Palmer, who looks desperate to impress, bounces through to Donnarumma.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 8 min Neto pokes a pass through to Joao Pedro, who shoots from a similar position to Palmer a moment ago. This time his shot deflects behind off Khusanov.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 5 min Palmer smashes a shot into the side netting after a fine Chelsea<\/a> break. He started it himself, then got the ball back from Neto and danced past Rodri in the area. By the time he had the shot, the angle was too tight and it rippled the side netting.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 5 min It\u2019s been a relaxed, confident start from City, with most of the game taking place in the Chelsea<\/a> half.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 4 min The corner eventually leads to a deep cross from the right and a dangerous header back across goal from Doku. Haaland is sniffing with intent but Fofana gets there first to make a vital clearance.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a011.34 EDT<\/p>\n 3 min After a patient City move, Semenyo runs at Cucurella to win the first corner. He has settled so smoothly since joining City in January.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 2 min Chelsea\u2019s wingers will probably switch, but for now they\u2019re playing with Neto on thee left and Estevao on the right.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 1 min Peep peep! City, in their grey and yellow change strip, kick off from left to right as we watch.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n It\u2019s a lovely spring afternoon in west London. Little brisk. But it\u2019s a nice enough day for what is a fascinating contest.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n A reminder of today\u2019s teams<\/p>\n Chelsea (4-2-3-1) Sanchez; Gusto, Fofana, Hato, Cucurella; Caicedo, Andrey Santos; Estevao, Palmer, Neto; Joao Pedro.<\/p>\n Subs: Sharman-Lowe, Acheampong, Tosin, Sarr, Essugo, Lavia, Garnacho, Guiu, Delap.<\/p>\n Man City (4-2-3-1) Donnarumma; Nunes, Khusanov, Guehi, O\u2019Reilly; Bernardo, Rodri; Semenyo, Cherki, Doku; Haaland.<\/p>\n Subs: Trafford, Reijnders, Ake, Marmoush, Kovacic, Nico, Ait-Nouri, Savinho, Foden.<\/p>\n Referee Chris Kavanagh.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Match report: Sunderland 1-0 Tottenham Hotspur<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Match report: Crystal Palace 2-1 Newcastle<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Match report: Nottingham Forest 1-1 Aston Villa<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n The updated Premier League<\/a> table<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Premier League results<\/p>\n Crystal Palace 2-1 Newcastle<\/p>\n Nottm Forest 1-1 Aston Villa<\/p>\n Sunderland 1-0 Tottenham Hotspur<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Enjoy him while you can<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Team news<\/p>\n Chelsea make two changes to the side that walloped Port Vale last weekend. Their two MCs, Marc Cucurella and Moises Caicedo, replace Tosin Adarabioyo and Romeo Lavia.<\/p>\n No surprise that Manchester City<\/a> make only one change from the thumping win over Liverpool \u2013 Premier League goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma returns in place of James Trafford.<\/p>\n Chelsea (4-2-3-1) Sanchez; Gusto, Fofana, Hato, Cucurella; Caicedo, Andrey Santos; Estevao, Palmer, Neto; Joao Pedro.<\/p>\n Subs: Sharman-Lowe, Acheampong, Tosin, Sarr, Essugo, Lavia, Garnacho, Guiu, Delap.<\/p>\n Man City (4-2-3-1) Donnarumma; Nunes, Khusanov, Guehi, O\u2019Reilly; Bernardo, Rodri; Semenyo, Cherki, Doku; Haaland.<\/p>\n Subs: Trafford, Reijnders, Ake, Marmoush, Kovacic, Nico, Ait-Nouri, Savinho, Foden.<\/p>\n Referee Chris Kavanagh.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a011.20 EDT<\/p>\n Enzo Fern\u00e1ndez and Rodri would quite like to move to Madrid; many people would. They both said as much in the international break, those special parts of the season when players join up with their national teams and give interviews while apparently unaware that media are global these days: a whisper on Luzo TV can soon become a hurricane in London. But Rodri will line up for Manchester City at Chelsea on Sunday, while Fern\u00e1ndez will not, suspended by the club<\/a> for \u201ccrossing a line\u201d.<\/p>\n It\u2019s worth, perhaps, looking at exactly what was said. Fern\u00e1ndez expressed disappointment at Enzo Maresca\u2019s departure<\/a> on New Year\u2019s Day. \u201cIt \u2026 hurt a lot,\u201d he told Luzo, \u201cbecause we had a lot of identity, he gave us order, but it\u2019s the way that football is, sometimes it\u2019s good, sometimes it\u2019s bad. But we always had a clear identity when it came to training, playing and obviously his departure hurt us especially in the middle of the season \u2013 it cuts everything short.\u201d Sadness that a manager has gone surely isn\u2019t a crime; it could even be supportive of Liam Rosenior and the difficulty of taking over a club mid-season.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Premier League half-time scores<\/p>\n Crystal Palace 0-1 Newcastle<\/p>\n Nottm Forest 1-1 Aston Villa<\/p>\n Sunderland 0-0 Tottenham Hotspur<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Preamble<\/p>\n We shouldn\u2019t really start a Chelsea v Manchester City blog by talking about Manchester United, but hear me out. United won the Premier League ahead of Blackburn in 1993-94 because Mark Hughes scored a monstrous volley in an FA Cup semi-final against Oldham. (If you want to know the full story, listen to the outstanding And It\u2019s Live! podcast<\/a>. The short version is that United\u2019s season was falling apart until Hughes scored a last-minute equaliser against Oldham, after which they rallied to win the Double.)<\/p>\n No football league exists in isolation. Form, morale, rhythm extend across all competitions; this season, the Premier League\u2019s unusual spring break means the cups have been the vehicle for some dramatic moodswings.<\/p>\n Can you even remember City\u2019s last Premier League match? It was a meh 1-1 draw at West Ham a month ago, a result which many of us thought had ended the title race. But then City played admirably with 10 men in defeat to Real Madrid, outplayed Arsenal in the Carabao Cup final and trounced Liverpool in the FA Cup. At the same time, Arsenal\u2019s knees started to jellify. Now, almost unbelievably, the title is effectively back in City\u2019s hands.<\/p>\n They\u2019re still nine points adrift, but they have two games in hands plus a home match against Arsenal this time next week. If City win their last eight games, the best Arsenal can do is finish level on points with them.<\/p>\n City\u2019s run-in starts with a trip to Stamford Bridge, a match that is never easy \u2013 not even when Chelsea<\/a> are in the middle of another drama\/crisis. Chelsea, who are in danger of slipping behind in the Champions League race, host both Manchester clubs in the next seven days.<\/p>\n It\u2019s a big game for Chelsea and a huge one in the title race. If City win, all the momentum will be with them ahead of next Sunday\u2019s match against Arsenal. If they don\u2019t, the pressure will be back in their court.<\/p>\n Kick off 4.30pm.<\/p>\n![\"Jonathan](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Jonathan_Wilson,_L.png\")
Jonathan Wilson<\/p>\n