EPL: More Woes For Graham Potter’s Chelsea With Yet Another Lose At The Bridge

Posted by Samson Kankan Latest Headlines, Sports News Friday, January 6th, 2023

(AFRICAN EXAMINER) – A superior second-half display saw Manchester City edge Chelsea 1-0 at Stamford Bridge, as the hosts succumbed to a third straight home H2H defeat. The Blues last tasted victory against Pep Guardiola’s men in the UEFA Champions League Final in 2021.

Chelsea’s injury woes worsened on Thursday night as they suffered a triple attacking blow with Raheem Sterling and Christian Pulisic limping off in the first half against Manchester City after Mason Mount was ruled out of the clash late on.

Chelsea now have nine senior players injured, with the trio joining defenders Reece James, Wesley Fofana and Ben Chilwell, goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, midfielder N’Golo Kante and striker Armando Broja on the sidelines.

Manchester City held strong though, relying on crucial tackles by John Stones and Nathan Aké, along with a brilliant save by Ederson to keep them alive. However, chances in the final third failed to materialise for the Blues, as they looked rather content with battling for midfield supremacy, much to the frustration of Pep Guardiola. City almost went ahead through Erling Haaland, who sent his side’s first real chance narrowly past the right post, before substitute Carney Chukwuemeka struck the left post at the other end – sparking hopes of a first Chelsea win in their last five league games against sides placed in the top four.

The reigning champions displayed true character after the break, knowing they needed to raise the stakes if they were to cut Arsenal’s eight-point cushion at the top. Out of nowhere, Aké first struck the crossbar having latched onto a superb cross, shortly before Kepa Arrizabalaga was forced into a low save by Kevin De Bruyne. Despite the onslaught, Chelsea did well to maintain composure, but City’s relentless charge eventually paid dividends in the 63rd minute by virtue of their substitutes, as Jack Grealish fed Riyadh Mahrez with an inch-perfect assist for a tap-in at the far post.

Rallied on by Potter on the sidelines, the Blues upped the ante in search of the equaliser which would avoid a sixth league defeat. However, it proved unattainable for the hosts who lacked creativity in the final third, succumbing to yet another defeat ‘to nil’ against the visitors – a fourth straight game without scoring against them. Adding to their fantastic away league form, City registered a 19th win in 26 games on the road, losing just once in that run.