Premier League may have a blueprint for taming Man City – thanks to Chelsea

Pep Guardiola’s side were held by Chelsea after missing several chances – AP/Dave Thompson

None has found a way yet to halt Manchester City’s unbeaten run that stretches back 15 games, although Mauricio Pochettino seems to have developed an idea others may yet follow against the team who have won everything.

Pep Guardiola’s players do not give up on any game and had they been granted five extra minutes on this occasion then maybe this would have become their 12th straight victory. By the end Chelsea were exhausted, five at the back, penned into their own final third and clinging by their fingernails to a point. Yet they created enough chances to score many more than the single goal for Raheem Sterling that nearly decided it.

Chelsea are still a brittle, inexperienced team for whom this was the first away performance of any note this season against one of the Premier League’s big guns. Yet they may even have surprised themselves just how many chances passed them by – not just Sterling, but his replacement Christopher Nkunku and others that came through on the rapid transitions they managed.

Raheem Sterling fires Chelsea ahead – Getty Images/Chris Brunskill

For Pochettino it was a relief – proof this team can respond to his tactical preparation, which on this occasion was to take advantage of Guardiola’s customary high-line, high-risk, high-energy approach. Pochettino said that falling back under the momentum of the City attacks is no option at all, even if that is inevitably where his players found themselves for the final stages of the game.

“We know very well how Manchester City play – [even] more at the Etihad,” Pochettino said. “And it is important [for them] to sustain the capacity to dominate. They force you to go deep. If you are not brave enough when you have the ball you [cannot] force them to run back, to make the effort – the second half is going to be a period where you cannot leave your own box or your own half.”

That was how it ended, although Pochettino had some fine performances. Malo Gusto was outstanding at right-back against the running of Jeremy Doku, who came at the Chelsea defence over and over again. This was one of Axel Disasi’s best days in a Chelsea shirt and Conor Gallagher, playing as a No 10 again, connected back with front in that promising first half. Nobody could stop Rodri slamming in an 82nd minute equaliser as the pressure became too great.

Rodri enjoys his equaliser – Shutterstock/Peter Powell

Guardiola may even have underestimated the pace at which Chelsea’s attack connected in the first half, especially Cole Palmer, the former City academy boy, and Nicolas Jackson. They created the goal for Sterling, who sold Kyle Walker a cheap feint to cut in on his right foot and finish with a shot across Ederson. This was Chelsea at their best, and for a while City wobbled.

Pochettino’s side face Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final next Sunday with something of a spring in their step: two away wins and a draw at the Etihad. They have a week clear to prepare while Jurgen Klopp’s players toil at home to Luton Town on Wednesday, and faith has been renewed in Pochettino’s tactical ingenuity.

Guardiola saw it a little differently, with his side, in his view, having handed the initiative to Chelsea and then obliged to wrestle it back. “We didn’t perform at our level in the first half,” he said. “When we play teams with the composure and prestige of Chelsea you have to perform at your best for 95 minutes. We started to play after conceding the goal. We were not at our best.

“It can happen in transitions when you’re not at your best you concede on transition, but after we reacted like we are and created a lot – a lot.”

Of course, there were Erling Haaland’s missed chances too, in particular a header from Kevin De Bruyne’s cross on 78 minutes that would ordinarily have been buried. Guardiola made a joke about his own scoring rate as a player – “one a season for 11 seasons, 11 goals” – to deflect it all. Yet even he must have been astonished that not one of these opportunities was taken.

The City playbook is, among other things, to blitz the opposition. Yet those who can stay on their feet, as Chelsea did, will be aware of the space behind their opposition’s defence. This was an engrossing game in which Pochettino seemed to anticipate the space City would offer up for a bold attack.

Guardiola nominated Manuel Akanji as his defender to step into midfield while the team were in possession, and it meant the three-man defence left behind were stretched. City kept trying to gain control of the game’s rhythm in the first half, but Chelsea never let them settle.

It was a risky strategy. Moises Caicedo was booked for a foul on De Bruyne on 35 minutes having escaped one earlier for kicking Doku. Caicedo’s subsequent foul on Rodri almost immediately after the second half started meant he was right on the edge for all the second half, but he got through it.

An absorbing second half was notable for the misses from Haaland and also those that fell to Chelsea’s attackers. The game’s most consistent attacking player was Doku – so dangerous on the left side and cutting in on his right foot that Pochettino reorganised his team to deal with the threat.

He took off Palmer – never the most determined when it comes to defensive duty – and replaced him with Trevoh Chalobah as the right-sided centre-half of three, which gave Chelsea five at the back. It was Chalobah’s misfortune that his leg thrust out in the direction of Rodri’s shot took it off at an unsaveable angle for goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic. He likely would not have got there anyway. A winner proved just out of City’s reach.

07:57 PM GMTSky Sports’ Jamie Carragher

“When I have been impressed by Chelsea this season, it has been against better opposition. That stretches back to their first game where they dominated Liverpool.

“Arsenal also went to Stamford Bridge and being quite fortunate to come away with a point. The game between these two [Chelsea and Man City] at Stamford Bridge and against Tottenham are other examples.

“The way Mauricio Pochettino sets his team up against top managers and cause the opposition problems, he’s come out of these games very well.”

07:55 PM GMTChelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino speaking to Sky Sports

“Very good performance. Very pleased. I think that is the spirit that we want to show. We are working for that. I think they are the best team in the world and to show this performance, I think we need to be proud. We were very brave.

“First half was really good. I think we were aggressive with the ball going forward and winning duels. In the second half I think they dominated and they forced us to defend deeper. I think we sustained the effort and had some chances to win the game. I am so happy. It is a good draw for us and when you face this type of team I think it is important to be brave and fight in every aspect.

“Manchester City have the quality and capacity to create chances and they have amazing players. It is fantastic for us and we need to grow.”

On making defensive changes in the second half: 

“It was in a moment when we needed to try and score the second. I think we decide to not give too much space to them and bring another centre-back on. Playing with a back four they find a good channel and we wanted to try and stop this run. It was difficult because we were not able to score the second goal and they got the goal and the draw.”

On carrying momentum into the Carabao Cup final: 

“We need to feel that is is possible to beat Liverpool. I think we are going to play the second best team in the world. I think belief is the most important thing and now we need to recover and prepare for the final.”

07:51 PM GMTMissed chances

9 – Erling Haaland’s nine shots and 1.71 xG against Chelsea are both his highest totals without scoring in a game for Manchester City in all competitions. Frustration. pic.twitter.com/05brUFnyKC

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) February 17, 2024

Erling Haaland v Chelsea today:

Shots – 9Big chances – 3Expected goals – 1.71Goals – 0

No player has had a higher xG without scoring in a PL game this season. pic.twitter.com/5m1AbI6Pb8

— Sky Sports Statto (@SkySportsStatto) February 17, 2024

07:50 PM GMTThe view of Sky Sports’ Jamie Carragher

“I think it is more for Liverpool and Arsenal, to give them belief that this City team can drop points.

“I don’t think it’s the end of the world for Manchester City  but there’s so long to go as well.

“All three teams going for the title just need to get to that March international break and make sure they’re still n a great position.

“Who knows when the run in really starts? Some will say it’s now, but it’s March and April when it really hurts you a lot more [dropping points].”

07:47 PM GMTManchester City midfielder Rodri speaking to Sky Sports

“I think we weren’t great in the first half. We conceded another easy goal. I think we have to defend better. They almost created nothing in the first half.

“We knew about their counter-attacks and fast players, but we have to defend the counter-attack better. From there, it’s always more difficult to come back.

“It’s a matter of defending better. We tried in the second half. [We had more] spirit, we wanted the ball and wanted to take risks. We were a bit scared of the counter-attack [in the first half].

“You have to be brave.”

07:44 PM GMTChelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher speaking to Sky Sports

“We are slightly disappointed because we were winning the game. They were, in terms of possession, dominating the game but I feel we had a lot of chances to win the game. We are disappointed to concede late but pleased with the point.

“We countered them well so I think it is a fair result in the end.

“I think we had a chance or two to get the second and we didn’t. But they had chances as well and it could have gone either way. We’ll take the point.”

How difficult was that second half? 

“Really hard. I feel that the lads were brilliant and defensively we were very focused. We were very tired but we saw it through and we are happy with the performance.”

Does it give you confidence going into the Carabao Cup final next weekend? 

“It does. I feel like the lads are confident. We have had some good performances, and then today against a top team. I feel like we are going into the next game with a lot of confidence and we are excited for it.”

07:30 PM GMTNeil Squires’ FT verdict

Honours even after a late claim for a handball penalty against Levi Colwill was rejected by VAR.

Chelsea fully deserved their point for fronting up so well at the Etihad.

Maybe they sat back too much in the closing stages but that is an easy accusation to make, faced with the Sky Blue steamroller that is Manchester City.

They head back south having twice held the champions to a draw in the Premier League this season.

No mean feat.

07:28 PM GMTFull time

The corner comes to nothing and that brings about full time as it finishes all square. Manchester City drop points in the title race and are four points behind leaders Liverpool.

Erling Haaland (right) missed numerous golden chances for Manchester City – Carl Recine/Reuters

07:27 PM GMT90+5 minutes: Manchester City 1 Chelsea 1

VAR are checking for a possible penalty for handball by Colwill very late on but that was never deliberate. VAR clears it. One last chance for Manchester City as they have a corner after Rodri’s header is deflected behind.

07:25 PM GMT90+4 minutes: Manchester City 1 Chelsea 1

Petrovic just about punches the ball away.

07:25 PM GMT90+4 minutes: Manchester City 1 Chelsea 1

Manchester City have a corner with seconds left.

07:24 PM GMT90+3 minutes: Manchester City 1 Chelsea 1

Into the final minute of added time. Will there be one last twist?

07:23 PM GMT90+2 minutes: Manchester City 1 Chelsea 1

Walker goes from range but his effort does not trouble Petrovic’s goal.

07:22 PM GMT90+1 minutes: Manchester City 1 Chelsea 1

Nkunku has a shot on the stretch but he cannot get much power on it and it is a simple save for Ederson.

07:21 PM GMT90 minutes: Manchester City 1 Chelsea 1

Manchester City have another corner as Disasi heads behind. De Bruyne whips in an inswinger which Haaland meets but it is an easy save for Petrovic.

There will be four added minutes.

07:19 PM GMTNeil Squires live at the Etihad

Rodri equalises for the champions and the Etihad explodes in relief.

Trevoh Chalobah, brought on to defend Chelsea’s lead, deflects a goalbound drive from the midfielder into the net and off goes Rodri on an ecstatic run of celebration.

An exciting last five minutes to come.

07:16 PM GMT85 minutes: Manchester City 1 Chelsea 1

Bernardo is booked for a foul on Caicedo. Not a nice challenge from Bernardo.

07:15 PM GMTGOAL! Rodri brings Manchester City level

That goal has been coming for a long while. Walker’s initial shot is blocked and it falls into the path of Rodri, whose shot deflects off Chalobah and into the Chelsea net. Chelsea still have a while to hold on with still seven minutes of normal time left.

Rodri (pictured) brings Manchester City level – Carl Recine/Reuters

07:13 PM GMT82 minutes: Manchester City 0 Chelsea 1

Chelsea make their final change of their allocated slots as Casadei replaces Jackson. Another defensive substitute from Mauricio Pochettino.

07:12 PM GMTNeil Squires live at the Etihad

It might not be City’s day. Erling Haaland, unmarked in the six-yard box, heads over a sweet cross from Kevin De Bruyne.

It was encroaching on sitter territory.

An exasperated Pep Guardiola stalks his technical area….

07:11 PM GMT80 minutes: Manchester City 0 Chelsea 1

The pressure is mounting and mounting as Manchester City have another corner. Chilwell wins the header under pressure from Haaland and the ball falls to Bernardo, who tries to find the far corner with a curler but his effort misses the target.

07:09 PM GMT79 minutes: Manchester City 0 Chelsea 1

Haaland misses another massive chance. De Bruyne plays a brilliant cross into the centre of the box where Haaland meets it, but from six yards out his header flies over the bar. Haaland has missed a lot of chances tonight.

Erling Haaland (left) has missed chance after chance tonight – Dave Thompson/AP

07:07 PM GMT76 minutes: Manchester City 0 Chelsea 1

Another Manchester City corner which De Bruyne will take from the left, but it does beat the first Chelsea defender.

07:03 PM GMT72 minutes: Manchester City 0 Chelsea 1

De Bruyne pulls the ball across and Petrovic just gets to the ball first after a small deflection off Colwill.

07:02 PM GMT71 minutes: Manchester City 0 Chelsea 1

A second change for Chelsea as another former Manchester City man Palmer is replaced. Quite a few boos from the home crowd, only a few clapping him off. Chalobah comes on for him so Chelsea will go to a back five.

07:00 PM GMT69 minutes: Manchester City 0 Chelsea 1

Manchester City have a corner on the right after the last touch came off Colwill. Disasi wins a crucial header to clear.

06:59 PM GMTNeil Squires live at the Etihad

Raheem Sterling departs to a mixed reception as the game heads past the hour mark.

Chelsea remain dangerous on the counter-attack but they are soaking up more and more punishment.

Erling Haaland forces Dorde Petrovik into a fine save after Levi Colwill blocks a close-range effort from the Norwegian.

City have brought on Bernardo Silva.

06:58 PM GMT66 minutes: Manchester City 0 Chelsea 1

Big chance for Chelsea. Gallagher has it on the right and he feeds it across to Nkunku, who looks offside. His shot is blocked and it falls to Jackson, whose effort is impeded by his own man Fernandez. The shot goes high and wide. Looking at the replays Nkunku was offside so even if the ball had ended up in the back of the net it would have been disallowed.

Enzo Fernandez (left) impedes Nicolas Jackson (right) – Shaun Botterill/Getty Images06:56 PM GMT65 minutes: Manchester City 0 Chelsea 1

Another chance for Haaland. Doku feeds it into the Norwegian on the left-hand side of the box and his shot takes a nick off Disasi. Petrovic makes a good save to his right to deny Haaland.

Erling Haaland (right) has another chance to score but once again fails to convert – Darren Thompson/AP

06:55 PM GMT64 minutes: Manchester City 0 Chelsea 1

Mauricio Pochettino is going to make a change here as the goalscorer Sterling is replaced by Nkunku. That sub was met by boos from some of the home fans.

Pep Guardiola is going to make a change of his own as Bernardo Silva replaces Alvarez.

06:54 PM GMT62 minutes: Manchester City 0 Chelsea 1

Manchester City come close to equalising. Doku crosses to the far post and Foden volleys towards goal. It is blocked by Disasi and Haaland’s shot is then blocked from around six yards out.

Chelsea are hanging on as Manchester City pile the pressure on – Jason Cairnduff/Reuters

Chelsea are under huge pressure and it feels like attack v defence at the moment. They need to find some sort of escape or else they will concede. Petrovic has been booked for timewasting.

06:51 PM GMT60 minutes: Manchester City 0 Chelsea 1

On his return to the Etihad Palmer is booked for pulling down Ake.

06:47 PM GMT56 minutes: Manchester City 0 Chelsea 1

Chelsea should be 2-0 up. Gusto’s cross from the right finds Sterling centrally and his shot is saved by Ederson. Chilwell then has an effort saved by Ederson, who has potentially kept Manchester City in the game.

06:46 PM GMTNeil Squires live from the Etihad

Erling Haaland volleys wide from Phil Foden’s cross as City make a powerful start to the second half.

VAR has already taken a look at a penalty appeal from Kyle Walker and Kevin De Bruyne has curled a free-kick just over the bar.

It could be a long half for Chelsea.

06:46 PM GMT54 minutes: Manchester City 0 Chelsea 1

Manchester City have a corner on the left as Ake’s cross is blocked by Palmer. Chelsea clear and counter through Jackson, who runs and runs into the Manchester City half. He tries to find Sterling but the pass is too heavy and runs through to Ederson.

06:44 PM GMT53 minutes: Manchester City 0 Chelsea 1

Chance for Chelsea. Jackson has it in the left-hand channel. He finds Gallagher centrally but his shot does not trouble Ederson’s goal.

06:43 PM GMT51 minutes: Manchester City 0 Chelsea 1

Manchester City break and De Bruyne feeds the ball into the path of Foden on the right. He stands up a cross to the far post, where Haaland meets it but his volley goes wide.

Erling Haaland misses a chance to bring Manchester City level – Jason Cairnduff/Reuters

06:42 PM GMT50 minutes: Manchester City 0 Chelsea 1

Manchester City want a penalty as Walker goes down after a collision with Sterling but the referee Andy Madley gives a foul the other way. Looking at the replays that looks like the right decision not to award a penalty. VAR did check but the on-field decision stands.

06:39 PM GMT48 minutes: Manchester City 0 Chelsea 1

De Bruyne whips one towards the far corner and it goes just over the bar, onto the top of the net. Manchester City nearly on level terms there.

06:38 PM GMT47 minutes: Manchester City 0 Chelsea 1

Caicedo is a touch lucky there. Doku goes past him in the Chelsea box and Caicedo does stick out his leg, but fortunately for him Doku stays on his feet and does not go down.

Moments later Caicedo fouls Rodri on the edge of his own box and is walking a very narrow tightrope. De Bruyne will take the free-kick.

Moises Caicedo (left) is lucky to still be on the pitch – Nick Potts/PA

06:36 PM GMTSecond half

We are back under way at the Etihad.

06:33 PM GMTHT stats06:31 PM GMTNeil Squires’ HT verdict

Half time represents a job well done for Chelsea who deservedly lead 1-0. They have caused City lots of problems with their speed on the break.

Chelsea’s one concern might be the booking for Moises Caicedo for bringing down Kevin De Bruyne in the first half.

He will have to watch where he puts his feet after the break because City are unlikely to be as subdued in the second half.

06:29 PM GMTHome and away

1 – Raheem Sterling is the first player to score home and away against Man City in a single Premier League campaign having previously played for them in the competition. Indeed, Only Agüero (106) has scored more Premier League goals at the Etihad than Sterling (52). Breakaway. pic.twitter.com/QmHZpjS8LF

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) February 17, 2024

06:20 PM GMTHalf time

That is it for the first half and Chelsea lead at the break thanks to Sterling’s goal against his former club.

06:19 PM GMT45+3 minutes: Manchester City 0 Chelsea 1

Ake finds Haaland with a cross from the left but Haaland’s header goes wide.

06:19 PM GMTNeil Squires live at the Etihad

Raheem Sterling scores against his old club to put Chelsea one up and threaten a huge turn-up at the Etihad.

It was no more than Chelsea deserved given the problems they have caused City with their speed on the break as well.

Cole Palmer and Nicolas Jackson combined to set him up after a rare lapse in control for Kevin De Bruyne.

Sterling cut inside Kyle Walker and finished well.

Liverpool and Arsenal look on with interest.

06:18 PM GMT45+2 minutes: Manchester City 0 Chelsea 1

Chelsea are under the cosh here late in this first half. Alvarez has a shot inside the Chelsea box and it is deflected behind for a corner, which Chelsea eventually clear.

06:17 PM GMT45 minutes: Manchester City 0 Chelsea 1

Foden plays a brilliant ball to the far post, trying to pick out Haaland. Disasi is on hand to head behind for the corner. Disasi then plays a crucial role as the ball is headed on at the near post and he clears one off the line. It comes out to Haaland, whose header misses the target.

There will be three added minutes.

06:14 PM GMTGOAL! Sterling scores against former club

Chelsea take the lead and it is the former Manchester City man Sterling who scores. Jackson plays a great one-two with Palmer and is sent running down the right. He finds Sterling at the far post, who cuts inside Walker and curls one into the far corner past Ederson. Chelsea could have had two or three on the counterattack and they now have a goal and the lead.

Raheem Sterling (right) gives Chelsea the lead against his former club – Jason Cairnduff/Reuters

In light of the goal from Raheem Sterling, it is notable that the extra man whom City are pushing into midfield from defence is Manuel Akanji – a centre-half. It is usually, under Pep Guardiola, a full-back who does that job. Guardiola must have reasoned they can do without the extra centre-back. Thus far Chelsea have exploited that. Even so – very poor from Kyle Walker to get turned that easily.

06:06 PM GMT35 minutes: Manchester City 0 Chelsea 0

Caicedo is now into the book and he is lucky to still be on the pitch.

Moises Caicedo (centre) is perhaps a little lucky to still be on the pitch – Carl Recine/Reuters

06:05 PM GMT33 minutes: Manchester City 0 Chelsea 0

Another massive one-on-one chance for Chelsea and it is the former Manchester City man Sterling is who sent through. But he wastes it as his touch is poor and Ederson gets to the ball. It did look like Sterling may have been ever so slightly offside anyway.

Down the other end Doku cuts in from the left onto his right and shoots but his effort is straight at Petrovic.

06:03 PM GMTNeil Squires live at the Etihad

Mauricio Pochettino goes full Basil Fawlty after Ben Chilwell fails to pick out an unmarked Raheem Sterling on the halfway line with a potentially deadly counterattack just waiting to be triggered.

The Chelsea manager charges towards the dugout from the edge of his technical area shouting and bawling in frustration.

His side are doing OK here though.

06:02 PM GMT30 minutes: Manchester City 0 Chelsea 0

Caicedo is a lucky, lucky boy. His follow-through on Doku is naughty yet his only punishment is a free-kick. Strange. It was quite a reckless challenge.

06:00 PM GMT27 minutes: Manchester City 0 Chelsea 0

Manchester City have a corner on the left, which De Bruyne whips in. It is right on Petrovic, who just about punches the ball away from danger. Manchester City want a penalty after Haaland goes down with Chilwell but it looked six-of-one, half-a-dozen-of-the-other.

05:58 PM GMTNeil Squires live from the Etihad

Great chance for Nicolas Jackson but the Chelsea striker showed too much of it to Ederson.

Clumsy stuff from Jackson, set up by Malo Gusto down the right, who should have shot first time.

Head in his hands time.

That makes one decent opportunity each after a lovely cross by Julian Alvarez.

05:55 PM GMT24 minutes: Manchester City 0 Chelsea 0

Huge chance for Chelsea. Gusto is played into acres of space in behind the Manchester City defence and he cuts it across to Jackson, who is one-on-one with Ederson. He is indecisive and never looks that assured and the chance goes begging as he shoots straight at Ederson.

Nicolas Jackson (centre) spurns a glorious one-on-one chance – Jason Cairnduff/Reuters

05:53 PM GMT22 minutes: Manchester City 0 Chelsea 0

Pochettino has been frustrated at Chelsea’s failure to hold possession for anything like a significant period. He knows that is crucial to stop City just overwhelming an opponent. They will always have more possession but to be successful against City – you need to have some. If only to catch a breath. The last five minutes have been better for Chelsea in that regard.

05:50 PM GMT19 minutes: Manchester City 0 Chelsea 0

Ederson is very, very lucky. He takes too long on the ball and Jackson wins it off him near the byline. He cannot find a teammate but Chelsea win it back high up. Gallagher tries to slip Palmer in behind but Ake slides in with a crucial tackle and it goes behind for a Chelsea corner, which is cleared by Dias.

05:45 PM GMT14 minutes: Manchester City 0 Chelsea 0

Sterling has it on the left and cuts inside onto his right. He tries to curl a shot into the far corner but the shot has no power on it and it is an easy save for Ederson.

05:44 PM GMT13 minutes: Manchester City 0 Chelsea 0

Big chance missed by Manchester City. A cross is sent in from the left by Alvarez and Haaland is no further than eight yards out, but his header misses the target. Manchester City should be 1-0 up.

Erling Haaland (right) missed a huge, early chance for Manchester City – Carl Recine/Reuters

05:42 PM GMT10 minutes: Manchester City 0 Chelsea 0

Manchester City have a free-kick inside the Chelsea half on the left which they will whip into the area. Foden sends it in but it is cleared away. Alvarez takes a shot on from distance and it is deflected high into the air. Petrovic makes a mess of it initially but eventually he gathers. Nervy moment for the Chelsea goalkeeper.

Djordje Petrovic (left) just about clears the danger – Peter Powell/Shutterstock

05:40 PM GMT7 minutes: Manchester City 0 Chelsea 0

Chance for Chelsea. It is the first time they have entered into the Manchester City box. Fernandez finds Gallagher with a clever pass on the right-hand side of the box and he plays the ball across. Jackson is on his heels and is not the first one to the cross.

05:39 PM GMTNeil Squires live at the Etihad

Manuel Akanji tasked with performing the John Stone hybrid role, stepping into midfield for City today.

Chelsea hounding him and Rodri, trying to stop City at source.

So far, so good but we are only six minutes in…

05:37 PM GMT6 minutes: Manchester City 0 Chelsea 0

As you might expect Manchester City are dominating possession in these early proceedings.

05:33 PM GMT2 minutes: Manchester City 0 Chelsea 0

Only just over a minute into the game and Manchester City have the first shot of the match. Haaland lays it off to Alvarez just outside the Chelsea box but the Argentine’s effort curls wide of Petrovic’s goal.

05:32 PM GMTKick-off

We are under way at the Etihad.

05:29 PM GMTRain, rain and more rain

Lots of Manchester rain falling on the Etihad this evening and the late kick-off means a full deployment of the Manchester City pre-match lightshow. As you walk towards the Etihad, next to it – and distinguishable through the rain – is the new Co-op Live. A huge indoor arena built by City Football Group with some investor partnership. It is a massive undertaking that has gone under the radar but very much in keeping with the modern policy of modern multi-use stadiums or stadium sites. It opens for the first time next month.

05:28 PM GMTKick-off fast approaching

Both sides have emerged from the tunnel and we are just moments away from kick-off at the Etihad.

In the tunnel Cole Palmer was high-fiving every Manchester City player, coach and staff member.

05:26 PM GMTReminder of the team news

Manchester City: Ederson, Walker, Dias, Akanji, Ake, Rodri, Alvarez, De Bruyne, Doku, Foden, Haaland

Subs: Ortega, Stones, Kovacic, Silva, Gomez, Nunes, Bobb, Susoho, Lewis

Chelsea: Petrovic ,Gusto, Disasi, Colwill, Chilwell, Caicedo, Fernandez, Sterling, Gallagher, Jackson, Palmer

Subs: Bettinelli, Mudryk, Madueke, Chalobah, Nkunku, Casadei, Gilchrist, Samuels-Smith, Harrison

05:23 PM GMTWarming up in the rain05:16 PM GMTDaniel Sturridge on Sky Sports

“This is when Manchester City start firing on all cylinders. They’ve had really good individual performances and team displays but now they’ve got players coming back from injury.

“They’ve got a game in hand so if they win today, they’ll think another title is on.”

04:53 PM GMTFancy a flutter?

Having a bet on today’s match? First take a look at these free bets and betting offers.

04:50 PM GMTFull team news

Manchester City make three changes from the team that beat FC Copenhagen in midweek. Jack Grealish is injured so Jeremy Doku replaces him. Manuel Akanji and Julian Alvarez also come into the starting XI in place of Bernardo Silva and John Stones.

Manchester City: Ederson, Walker, Dias, Akanji, Ake, Rodri, Alvarez, De Bruyne, Doku, Foden, Haaland

Subs: Ortega, Stones, Kovacic, Silva, Gomez, Nunes, Bobb, Susoho, Lewis

Chelsea make two changes from the side that beat Crystal Palace 3-1 on Monday. Levi Colwill replaces the injured Thiago Silva, while Raheem Sterling replaces None Madueke. Cole Palmer, like Sterling, starts against his former club.

Chelsea: Petrovic ,Gusto, Disasi, Colwill, Chilwell, Caicedo, Fernandez, Sterling, Gallagher, Jackson, Palmer

Subs: Bettinelli, Mudryk, Madueke, Chalobah, Nkunku, Casadei, Gilchrist, Samuels-Smith, Harrison

04:46 PM GMTHome side arrive04:37 PM GMTNeil Squires live from the Etihad

Cole Palmer and Raheem Sterling both start against former club Manchester City for Chelsea.

It will be Palmer’s first game back at the Etihad since his deadline day move to London in September.

Palmer, 21, has 12 goals and nine assists this season and converted the late penalty which earned Chelsea a point in the crazy 4-4 draw at Stamford Bridge earlier this season.

City, who have Manuel Akanji back for John Stones, start Jeremy Doku on the wing with Jack Grealish ruled out with a groin injury. They also bring in Julian Alvarez in place of Bernardo Silva who is named on the bench after his shin knock in Denmark.

04:36 PM GMTVisitors out on the pitch04:32 PM GMTChelsea team news04:31 PM GMTManchester City team news

Your squad to face Chelsea! 👊

XI | Ederson, Walker (C), Akanji, Dias, Ake, Rodrigo, De Bruyne, Foden, Alvarez, Doku, Haaland

SUBS | Ortega Moreno, Stones, Kovacic, Bernardo, Gomez, Nunes, Bobb, Susoho, Lewis#ManCity | @etihad pic.twitter.com/ch1iVE6nqN

— Manchester City (@ManCity) February 17, 2024

04:00 PM GMTMatch preview

Hello and welcome to live coverage of Manchester City taking on Chelsea this evening at the Etihad. Manchester City go into tonight’s game five points off the top after Liverpool won 4-1 at Brentford earlier this afternoon. Pep Guardiola is expecting a real challenge from Chelsea this evening. The last time these two sides met in the league back in November was dramatic to say the least; Cole Palmer’s late penalty against his former club made it 4-4.

“They are an exceptional team, exceptional in all departments. One of the toughest games we have until the end of the season. They have it all.

“It’s an exceptional team, in all departments. It’ll be one of the toughest games we have until the end of the season.

“They’ve been playing really really good in the last few games. The intensity, the quality. They’re a really good team – it’ll be tough.”

Cole Palmer (centre) scored a late equaliser against his former club back in November – Dylan Martinez/Reuters

Manchester City were in Champions League action on Tuesday as they won 3-1 at Copenhagen in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie. That win was Manchester City’s 11th consecutive win in all competitions. Jack Grealish went off injured in that win and is not available tonight. Bernardo Silva also picked up a knock in that match and he is a doubt. Josko Gvardiol remains out with an ankle injury.

Chelsea were involved in Premier League action on Monday night as they came from behind to win 3-1 away at Crystal Palace thanks to a double from Conor Gallagher and a goal from Enzo Fernandez. They will be without defender Thiago Silva, who went off injured in that victory over Crystal Palace. They could welcome back goalkeeper Robert Sanchez, who has been out for two months with a knee problem.

Chelsea’s recent record against Manchester City is not good; they are winless in their last seven league and cup games. The last time Chelsea were victorious was the 2021 Champions League final.

Team news to follow shortly.

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