Manchester City opened up the title race with win over Chelsea

Manchester City came out on top in the big game of the weekend as they beat pre-season title favourites Chelsea 1-0, at Stamford Bridge. The victory opens up the table and gives a look at what could be a very open Premier League title race as the season goes on.

City manager Pep Guardiola had lost his last three games against the Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel, but Pep managed to find a way past him and this astute Chelsea side, who have added star striker Romelu Lukaku since they beat city in the Champions League Final.

City decided to start the game with one holding midfielder, something they haven’t done in their last two games against the London side.

Rodri was the player in that position and he had a superb game and kept the ball going towards the Chelsea box while stopping the likes of Mateo Kovacic and Timo Werner from really getting the ball towards City’s defence.

The Manchester club’s victory was also aided by the fact that the Blues began the game with a rather negative outlook, like the Manchester club did in their FA Cup matchup, and played Kovacic in their front three, rather than one of their usual playmakers.

Put this alongside Lukaku having a day where he couldn’t seem to get his first touch right, and in the end, it became a comfortable day for City, once Gabriel Jesus had grabbed their goal.

Chelsea have always been a hard team to break down under Tuchel but Pep’s team came to London and brought the game to them, bombarding them with attack after attack before getting their goal. Almost setting down their marker for the league.

The win brings Pep’s men right back into the mix with two points separating the top six after six games – the Cityzens being the first team to beat a talented Chelsea team.