….Move 4th, as Blues drop to 6th in PL
Manchester City produced an incredible comeback to beat Chelsea 3-1 at the Etihad on Saturday.
City moved to 4th in the Premier League, as Chelsea dropped to 6th in confirmation of Enzo Maresca’s position that the Blues are not title contender.
Erling Haaland and Phil Foden spared new team-mate Abdukodir Khusanov from what could have been a disaster in his first City outing.
Khusanov, the £33.6million Uzbekistan defender signed from Lens this week, made a nightmare start in the Premier League with an error that led to a Chelsea goal and a booking inside the opening four minutes.
Omar Marmoush was also a debutant in the a game that saw FIFA president Gianni Infantino in the stands.
The £59million Egypt forward latched on to a pass from Matheus Nunes and, despite a heavy touch, cracked a shot at Robert Sanchez but the keeper pushed away.
Noni Madueke took full advantage of the mistake to put the visitors ahead at the Etihad Stadium but Josko Gvardiol equalised and the tried-and-trusted figures of Haaland and Foden settled the contest in the second half.
The win lifted City back above Chelsea into the top four and raised spirits after their midweek capitulation at Paris St Germain.
City manager Pep Guardiola decided to plunge Khusanov in at the deep end just days after completing his signing as injuries continued to deprive him of regulars.
Nathan Ake and Ruben Dias were both absent, with John Stones only deemed fit enough for the bench.
Haaland was not to be denied much longer as he was picked out by a long ball from Ederson and instinctively turned Trevoh Chalobah.
Chalobah, making his second appearance since returning from a loan spell at Crystal Palace, slipped attempting to recover and, with Sanchez well off his line, Haaland lifted into an unguarded net on 68 minutes.
Chelsea were unable to get back into the game and they were caught again three minutes from time as Haaland released Foden and the England international made no mistake.
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