Manchester City ignited the Premier League title race with a second-half blitz that sealed a 3-0 win against Chelsea on Sunday, closing the gap on leaders Arsenal.
Pep Guardiola’s side produced a devastating spell immediately after half-time, with Nico O’Reilly and Marc Guehi scoring within six minutes at Stamford Bridge. Jeremy Doku wrapped up the victory to ensure City took advantage of Arsenal’s shocking 2-1 home defeat against Bournemouth on Saturday.
Second-placed City are now only six points behind Arsenal with a game in hand, setting up a seismic showdown against the Gunners at the Etihad Stadium on April 19.
Having beaten Arsenal in the League Cup final and thrashed Liverpool in the FA Cup quarter-finals, City are hitting form at just the right time.
O’Reilly made the breakthrough in the 51st minute. Rayan Cherki whipped an in-swinging cross towards the City left-back, who reprised his League Cup final heroics with another clinical header from close range.
Six minutes later, Cherki again showed his creative genius, gliding past a gaggle of Chelsea players before threading a sublime pass to Guehi, who smashed a perfect strike into the far corner from 12 yards.
City benefitted from wretched Chelsea defending for their third goal in the 68th minute. Sanchez rolled the ball to Moises Caicedo even though the midfielder was surrounded by three City players. Doku pounced, racing into the area to drill home.
Chelsea, who haven’t beaten City since the 2021 Champions League final, were again without Enzo Fernandez after manager Liam Rosenior’s decision to drop the Argentine midfielder for hinting he might leave in the summer. Sixth-placed Chelsea now trail four points behind Liverpool in the race for Champions League qualification.
