Chelsea 0 - Man City 1: De Bruyne gets revenge over old club with stunning finish

PEP GUARDIOLA celebrated with rare emotion as another compelling victory for his stylish Manchester City side team kept them top of the Premier League.

Kevin De BruynePA

Manchester City's Kevin De Bruyne celebrates scoring for his side

They only needed one goal, a stunning strike from Kevin de Bruyne, but the dominant fashion in which City outplayed reigning champions Chelsea was their grandest statement of intent so far this season.

Guardiola mobbed his backroom staff on the touchline at the final whistle, his intense joy plain to see.

The match was never easy as Chelsea defended with spirit and intelligence, although rarely threatening City at the other end of the field. It always felt like one gem would decide the outcome, and what a diamond it was from De Bruyne.

He collected the ball in midfield, exchanged swift passes with Gabriel Jesus, and sent a powerful left-foot drive scorching into the net.

City may not score a more crucial goal in the whole campaign.

Guardiola’s delight was obvious too when he spoke afterwards, full of praise for his team, saying: “I am so satisfied because of the way we won.

“We played with courage and great quality, and once again Kevin showed us how good he is. It is only September and there is a long way to go, and you can see the strength of Manchester United.

“But it is so important for us to win at Stamford Bridge. It is not easy here.”

This showdown had been hugely anticipated and the lightning pace from both teams at the start was a measure of the importance of this contest, even this early in the season.

Easy wins against mid-ranking sides are one thing; the psychological boost of success against title rivals far more significant.

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It wasn’t just the speed of the passing and running, but also the swift thinking from players on either team. The play was fast but never frantic.

Chelsea might have been ahead in the third minute, breaking down the right flank through Cesar Azpilicueta, who had been switched to wing back for this game. His cross was precise, but Alvaro Morata headed high and wide.

Chances were at a premium --- because they were so difficult to create.

When City passed out through the Chelsea press, it sent Kyle Walker bursting forward. His pass set up David Silva, but the shot was off target.

Moments later Chelsea keeper Thibaut Courtois dallied for a split second with a clearance and when Jesus charged down the ball it almost spun into the net.

Pep GuardiolaGETTY

Pep Guardiola was delighted with his Man City team's performance

Courtois was at his best to beat away another powerful drive from Silva, and City keeper Edison did the same to deny an angled shot from Azpilicueta.

Possession of the ball was being dominated by City, and they almost made it tell on the stroke of half-time, but Courtois leapt brilliantly to his right to push away a strong diving header from Fernandinho at a corner.

By then Morata had trudged off the field after suffering a hamstring strain. The young Spaniard had shown several fabulous touches, and it was a blow to Chelsea, who brought on Willian rather than a replacement striker in Michy Batshuayi. 

City’s superiority was even more obvious after the break as they pushed Chelsea back with the quality of their movement and passing. Only the goal was missing.

It seemed inevitable, and it came in the 66th minute with a typically deft move that ended with De Bruyne’s winner.

Alvaro MorataGETTY

Alvaro Morata limped off in the first-half with a hamstring injury

A minute earlier only a stunning block by Marcus Alonso had denied Silva inside the box after a cross from Raheem Sterling, who was in dynamic form on the right flank.

Chelsea were living on scraps in attack. Eden Hazard was back in the starting line-up but mostly subdued. He had one chance on the hour but the shot was straight at Edison.

The game was open now that Chelsea had to chase an equaliser. They were livelier with the introduction of Pedro and Batshuayi, but City had more space to construct their flowing counter-attacks. 

One of them ended with a gorgeous volley by Jesus that Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger somehow headed off the line.

It didn’t matter to the result this time, and Chelsea manager Antonio Conte knew the better team had won.

“It was a tough game and we know that Manchester City are a big team,” he said. “We gave everything today and I am happy with the commitment and desire of my players. They had the will to fight against a very strong team.”

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