EPL: Chelsea 0-1 Manchester City

Kevin de Bruyne

Kevin de Bruyne's second-half strike against his former club saw Manchester City claim a deserved 1-0 win away at lacklustre Chelsea.

The hosts made two changes from the midweek Champions League win over Atletico, with Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen coming in, while City selected an attacking XI, with Leroy Sane, Raheem Sterling and De Bruyne all starting.

With the teams scoring 33 times between them in the Premier League to date, goals were expected at Stamford Bridge and Alvaro Morata should have opened the scoring early on but failed to hit the target with a free header.

City soon settled into their rhythm, stroking the ball around with aplomb, while their pressing was also forcing mistakes from the home side's defenders.

Clear chances were few and far between before Chelsea suffered a huge blow after 35 minutes when Morata was forced off with what looked like a hamstring injury.

Willian came on but the visitors continued to push before the break, with Fernandinho forcing a save from Thibaut Courtois.

City were again the better team in the opening stages of the second period and finally took the lead on 67 minutes when the brilliant De Bruyne smashed home with his left foot from 25 yards.

Antonio Conte responded soon after by sending on Michy Batshuayi and Pedro but the Citizens remained in firm control and Gabriel Jesus had a well struck volley cleared off the line by Rudiger.

Chelsea huffed and puffed but were easily shackled by the Citizens who appeared to be a level above throughout the game.

The result marked Pep Guardiola's first win at Stamford Bridge, in the process throwing down the gauntlet in the Premier League title race as the champions wilted in the biggest game of their defence to date.