A superb second-half performance from Rayan Cherki inspired Manchester City to a 3-0 win over Chelsea in the Premier League on Sunday.
After a goalless first half in which they were sloppy and came under considerable pressure from the hosts, City took control in the second half, with Cherki providing the assists for goals from Nico O’Reilly and Marc Guehi. Jeremy Doku then finished the job in the 68th minute, slotting home after catching Moises Caicedo in possession.
The result keeps Pep Guardiola’s men breathing down the necks of a faltering Arsenal side in the title race as we enter the final sprint.
Rayan Cherki pulls the strings in second-half City masterclass
Despite City controlling 66% possession, the first half of this match was a very close-run affair, with Chelsea matching the visitors for shots (5-5) and managing one big chance to zero.
City were sloppy in possession, giving the ball away in dangerous areas and trying to force a final ball rather than opting for patience.
The second half was a completely different story, however, and the catalyst was Rayan Cherki.
The Frenchman utterly seized control of the match and provided the assist for each of City’s first two goals. The first was a perfect cross to find the head of O’Reilly, while the second saw him drive inside and beat Pedro Neto and Cole Palmer, before punching an excellent pass through the lines to Marc Guehi, who turned and finished like a seasoned centre-forward.
Erling Haaland continues to struggle in the league at the moment and was a passenger in this match, completing just four passes all game. However, City are finding goals elsewhere. O’Reilly has scored a joint-team-high six goals (all comps) since the start of February, Doku finally doubled his Premier League tally for the season, and Guehi opened his City account.
But through all that, it was Cherki who pulled the strings and joined Bruno Fernandes and Jack Grealish on the exclusive list of players to provide multiple assists in three different Premier League games this season.
Man City drink Arsenal tears
The image of the Man City fan drinking Arsenal tears in the away end on Sunday will dominate the back pages and social media in the coming days.
But while it looked like a slapstick moment from a supporter having a bit of fun, some Arsenal fans may well be starting to shed a tear or two.
The Gunners’ 2-1 defeat at home to Bournemouth on Saturday was damaging enough in isolation, especially so quickly after losing the EFL Cup final to Man City and exiting the FA Cup. But coupled with this result, it’s an utter disaster.
City are now just six points behind Mikel Arteta’s men in the table, and they have a game in hand. Oh, and there’s just the small matter of next week’s monumental clash between the two sides at the Etihad Stadium.
Simply put, City now have their title destiny in their own hands. Win all their remaining games, and there is nothing Arsenal can do to stop them, unless they win every match apart from next week, and outscore a side now averaging three goals per game across their last three matches.
City have sent out a huge statement to a wobbling foe with this performance and result. It’s becoming harder and harder to imagine that Arsenal have a response.
Chelsea brought back down to earth after FA Cup respite
A word must be given on Chelsea, who, certainly not for the first time, utterly collapsed in the second half.
The Blues barely laid a glove on City after the break, which was all the more shocking considering how competitive they’d been in the opening 45 minutes.
The international break and 7-0 win over League One Port Vale in the FA Cup may have made it easy for some to forget Chelsea’s recent four-game losing streak. One that saw them exit the Champions League and slip to sixth in the Premier League table.
Well, nobody is in any doubt about the dire predicament Chelsea now find themselves in, with Liam Rosenior’s men four points adrift of Liverpool in the fifth and final Champions League spot.
Rosenior is under pressure, and large swathes of the Stamford Bridge crowd made their feelings known at full-time on Sunday.