Manchester City overcame a nightmare debut from Abdukodir Khusanov to bounce back from their midday loss in Paris to secure a hard-fought victory over Chelsea.
Khusanov, along with Omar Marmoush, was given a first start by Pep Guardiola, but early nerves led to an error that gave Chelsea a third minute courtesy of Noni Madueke.
But Josko Gvardiol leveled before the break and Erling Haaland capitalized on some fortuitous goalkeeping from Robert Sanchez at the Edge City in front midway through the second half.
Chelsea’s early adventure was long gone and Phil Foden added City’s third late on.
It was an impressive response from Guardiola’s men, who must beat Club Brugge on Wednesday night to clinch a Champions League play-off spot after losing 4-2 at Paris Saint-Germain three days ago.
Early Howler by New Boy
Khusanov’s first real involvement saw him make the mistake that led to Chelsea’s opener.
The Uzbekistan centre, a £33.8m signing from Lens this week, failed to deal with a long punt forward and, after allowing it to bounce, could only flick the ball into the path of Nicolas Jackson, who square for Madueke to Tap home.
Noni Madueke pounces on Abdukodir Khusanov’s mistake and Chelsea take the lead inside three minutes! 🫨 pic.twitter.com/xqg0b6tea5
– Sky Sports Premier League (@skysportspl) January 25, 2025
The 20-year-old was all at sea and another mistake, an under tackle for Mateo Kovacic two minutes later, ended in a yellow card after falling on Cole Palmer in an attempt to win the ball back.
The ball seemed to follow Khusanov around the Etihad pitch but he earned a warm round of applause from the home fans after 10 minutes with a superb block to prevent Jadon Sancho from making it 2-0 after the former man of the city of Jackson.
City slowly grew into the game and Foden fired a shot against the post a minute later for Sanchez to tap over.
Gvardiol should have done better moments later than to fire wastefully over the bar after being found by Haaland’s move.
Unlike Khusanov, Marmoush looked dangerous and the Egyptian thought he had leveled with a debut goal after 34 minutes.
The former Eintracht Frankfurt forward reacted quicker after Sanchez could only palm Ilkay Gundogan in a dangerous area, but the offside flag curtailed the celebrations.
Guardiol levels
Gvardiol’s runs from deep gave Chelsea a problem and the Croatia defender popped in a half-volley before grabbing an equalizer for the home side three minutes before the break.
Gundogan’s through ball picked out Matheus Nunes and, although his shot was pushed away by Sanchez, Gvardiol got onto the loose ball to fire into the net.
Joško Gvardiol fires into an empty net to pull Manchester City level! 💥 pic.twitter.com/ley5ikzcqc
– Sky Sports Premier League (@skysportspl) January 25, 2025
Guardiola replaced Khusanov nine minutes into the second period with John Stones coming on.
However, Marmoush remained, and remained a threat to Chelsea’s backline. And he came close to a debut goal again after 67 minutes, firing inches over to link up nicely with Haaland.
His finish lacked precision, something Haaland can rarely be associated with, and the big Norwegian showed him how it should be done a minute later.
Haaland takes advantage of Sanchez’s poor position
Having missed Ederson’s long ball forward, Haaland held off Trevoh Chalobah, cut onto his left foot and lifted a superb shot over the woefully placed Sanchez and into the back of the net.
Erling Haaland traps Robert Sanchez off his line and fires it up! 🎯 pic.twitter.com/ikucihpvmd
– Sky Sports Premier League (@skysportspl) January 25, 2025
Kevin de Bruyne replaced the impressive Marmoush with 16 minutes to go and played a part in City’s third goal, flicking the ball for Haaland to slot home.
2025-01-25 22:34:00
