Manchester (England): Manchester City took a big step to defend their Premier League title with a 1-0 victory over the second Chelsea on Saturday, opening a 13-point lead on the Pep Guardiola table.
The 70th minute strike Kevin de Bruyne means that City have 56 points from 22 matches with Chelsea at 43 points.
Liverpool are third, who have two matches in hand, including Sunday’s match at home to Brentford, at 42 points.
City extended their victory in the league to 12 matches, and duly after another look of their ownership football.
But it was a disappointing effort from the side of Chelsea which was rarely threatened, showing a little ambition and a little reaction after De Bruyne’s goal.
There was a surprise on the two team line-up, with Guardiola left the center-back Ruben Dias on the bench and Thomas Tuchel made the same choice on Mason Mount midfielder.
Opportunities are difficult to get in the opening of 45 minutes with the best chance to fall to Jack Greal, after De Bruyne robbing Mateo Kovacic on the edge of the box.
But the Chelsea guard Kepa Arrizabalaga did well to prevent midfielder’s efforts.
Chelsea’s best effort had arrived early in the second half when Kovacic Fed Romelu Lukaku, but the city guard Ederson rushed quickly to save.
It was a good solo goal from De Bruyne who settled the results, Belgium drove a challenge from N’Golo Kante before defeating Arrizabalaga’s kepa with a curling shot to a distant corner.
Phil Foden can add a second to the city of six minutes from the tip, but his shot from a promising position height and width.
“It’s always difficult to fight them.
They are strictly defensive, know what they are doing, and you have to be patient,” De Bruyne said.
“We play the game we need to play and do what we have to do,” he added.
Chelsea beat City in the Champions League final last season, but City had finished doubling on the London side in the Premier League this season, after a 1-0 win at Stamford Bridge in September.