Sports
Jan 06,2023
Defending champions Manchester City beat injury-hit Chelsea 1-0 on Thursday to close the gap on leaders Arsenal to just five points.
Pep Guardiola's men were well below par in the first half but were transformed after the break, with substitutes Jack Grealish and Riyad Mahrez combining for the only goal, scored by the Algerian in the 63rd minute. Graham Potter's Chelsea came into the game at Stamford Bridge languishing in 10th place in the table but they had the better of the opening 45 minutes.
However, it was a different story in the second half as the visitors found their attacking rhythm, with Guardiola admitting they were "miles better in every department" after the break.
"We struggled a lot in the first half -- it was sloppy and slow and without rhythm," the City boss told Sky Sports. "In the second half, it was much, much better from minute one.
"The three points are important. The players know it. For a long time, we were at the top. But we try, we have the FA Cup and Carabao (League) Cup and then Old Trafford. But it's important for these games, a win today."
