By Victor Kanayo
Holders Manchester City Thursday night held on to overcome Chelsea at Stamford bridge after substitute Riyad Mahrez’s lone second half goal separated both sides in the only English Premier League clash of the day.
With the hard-fought victory, City are now within five points of the League leaders Arsenal.
It was Mahrez, an Algerian international who tapped home Jack Grealish’s cross from close range just after the hour mark.
It took some time for both teams to warm into this game, with Erling Haaland not even getting a touch of the ball until the 20th minute, while Chelsea’s rhythm was disrupted by having to withdraw Raheem Sterling and Christian Pulisic due to injury.
The first real sight of goal came just before half-time, when Haaland burst on to a delightful pass, only to stab over the bar, while Chelsea substitute Carney Chukwuemeka hit the post with an effort from distance that took a slight deflection.
City were like a different team in the second half, ominously dominating possession and creating chances for Nathan Ake, who hit the post with a header, and Kevin De Bruyne, whose low effort was beaten away.
At the end, John Stones was singled out for special acclaim by City’s travelling fans at the final whistle.
