Haaland and Foden fire City to key victory over Chelsea

Manchester City F.C.

·25 janvier 2025

Haaland and Foden fire City to key victory over Chelsea

Second half strikes from Erling Haaland and Phil Foden fired City to a deserved 3-1 win over Chelsea in a dramatic Etihad clash – and up into fourth place in the Premier League table.

On a pulsating afternoon which saw both Omar Marmoush and Abdukodir Khusanov handed their City debuts, Chelsea had taken a third minute lead through Noni Madueke.

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City though deservedly levelled before the break thanks to Josko Gvardiol’s close-range strike.

Pep Guardiola’s side then turned up the heat after the restart with Haaland despatching a stunning 67th minute chip to fire us ahead.

And victory was then secured three minutes from time when Foden broke free of the Chelsea defence to rifle home and seal a precious three points.

What happened

Kick-off had been preceded by a moving tribute to Club legend Tony Book, Denis Law and Bobby Kennedy who all sadly passed away earlier this month.

With both Marmoush and Khusanov handed debuts there was an extra frisson of excitement and anticipation one the action got underway.

And Egyptian striker Marmoush almost made a dramatic immediate impact as he raced onto a through ball from Phil Foden and launched a first time shot on goal with Robert Sanchez palmed away

However, within seconds Chelsea took a second minute lead through Madueke.

Khusanov attempted to cushion a header back to Ederson but the ball fell short and Nicolas Jackson intercepted before teeing up the advancing Noni Madueke who converted into the goal.

It was a tough start for the Uzbek with the 20-year-old then almost immediately picking up a yellow card for a late challenge on Cole Palmer.

With City temporarily on the back foot, things almost got even more challenging on nine minutes.

Cole Palmer broke through the home defensive ranks but rather than shooting, the ex-Academy graduate opted to square the ball to Nicolas Jackson instead.

The ball was held up and though Jackson found the waiting Jaden Sancho, Khusanov was there to block the shot.

City sought a response and Foden summoned up a thunderous 10th minute effort which ricocheted back off the post to rouse the Etihad.

With the Blues warming to the task, a superb 22nd minute run and cross from Gvardiol was inches away from finding the advancing Marmoush as he powered into the heart of the box.

Gvardiol was then presented with an even better opportunity after Haaland had flicked on an inviting Bernado cross.

The Croatian cut inside into the centre of box and opened up a sliver of space but could only fire over from 12 yards out.

Marmoush then had the ball in the Chelsea net on 35 minutes to momentarily lift the roof off the Etihad after he latched onto a Sanchez fumble from Gundogan’s shot – but sadly the striker was a fraction offside.

The dangerous Gvardiol was next to come agonisingly close, the Croatian ghosting in behind the visitors’ defence before seeing his deft prod fall just the wrong side of the post with Sanchez beaten.

One felt a goal had to come and it finally arrived on 42 minutes through that man Gvardiol.

Gundogan was the initial architect, his neat ball putting Nunes in behind.

The Portuguese ran in on goal and though Sanchez blocked the initial shot, the rebound fell to the advancing Gvardiol who made no mistake to deservedly level affairs.

It had been a breathless, high octane first 45 which finished with Madueke seeing a ferocious shot whistle over the City bar.

Guardiola’s troops came roaring out of the blocks after the break and Sanchez did well to get down low and prevent a 50th minute Haaland drive firing City ahead after the Norwegian has caused havoc in the box.

Almost immediately City opted to make a change with John Stones summoned on in place of Khusanov who, after that challenging start, had settled to the task.

Marmoush then showed his eye for goal once more on 67 minutes fizzing a venomous shot just wide.

City though didn’t have to wait long to power ahead – and it was that man Haaland who answered the call just two minutes later in quite spectacular fashion.

The striker latched onto an incredible Ederson ball on the right side of the Chelsea box.

Sanchez bizarrely chose to race out of his line only to be caught in no man’s land, with Haaland needing no second invitation to superbly chip home his 18th league goal of the season.

It was a quite brilliant piece of play and one that summed the striker's genius.

Chelsea huffed and puffed in an effort to try and restore parity but City were not to be denied.

And a fine afternoons' work was then rounded off three minutes from time when Foden escaped the Chelsea shackles and raced clear before despatching a fine finish past Sanchez.

Job done!

Teams

CITY XI: Ederson, Nunes, Khusanov (Stones 53), Akanji, Gvardiol, Kovacic, Gundogan, Bernardo (C), Marmoush (De Bruyne 74), Foden, Haaland

Subs: Ortega, Grealish, Reis, Savio, O'Reilly, Lewis, McAtee

CHELSEA: Sanchez, James (c) (Gusto 74), Colwill, Chalobah, Cucurella, Fernandez, Caicedo, Palmer, Madueke, Sancho (Neto 74), Jackson (Nkunku 61)

Subs: Jorgensen, Disasi, Tosin, Neto, Dewsbury-Hall, Acheampong, Guiu

Star player

Not for the first time, Josko Gvardiol demonstrated his prowess at both ends of the field with the Croatian levelling affairs with that crucial first half equaliser.

It was Josko’s fifth Premier League goal of the season – a higher tally than any other top-flight defender – and it made him our third highest scorer after Erling Haaland (18) and Phil Foden (seven).

Another timely reminder of the priceless qualities that Gvardiol brings to the City team.

First footing

Thrust straight into a ferocious Premier League encounter for his City debut Omar Marmoush produced a hugely encouraging opening performance.

Quick, skilful and with a ferocious will to win the Egyptian also had the ball in the net only for the effort to be ruled out for offside.

It was a non-stop display that only augurs well looking to the rest of the season and beyond.

As for Abdukodir Khusanov, the Uzbek defender showed great mental fortitude to overcome what was the toughest of starts and regain his composure.

Many would have crumbled after his third minute mistake which led to Chelsea's goal but he stood tall and unbowed which says much for his character and fortitude.

At 20 he is still very young and relatively inexperienced but with huge promise looking to the long-term future.