Defending champions Manchester City beat injury-hit Chelsea 1-0 on Thursday to close the gap on Premier League leaders Arsenal to just five points. | Sport24news
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.
"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 home side were first to threaten seriously but City defender John Stones came to the rescue in the 16th minute as Christian Pulisic bore down on goal, producing a perfectly timed sliding tackle to deny the US forward.
Erling Haaland, who has 21 Premier League goals this season -- one more than the entire Chelsea side -- smashed a shot wide in the 38th minute on what proved to be a quiet evening for the Norwegian superstar. The visitors immediately settled and began to dictate play, with Nathan Ake heading against the woodwork, but Chelsea responded well and were inches away from taking the lead when Thiago Silva flashed wide.
Potter made changes of his own, bringing on England forward Conor Gallagher, but they were unable to find an equaliser despite some late pressure.
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