Manchester City returned to the Premier League summit with an outstanding win at reigning champions Chelsea that was far more convincing than the scoreline suggested.

Kevin de Bruyne's spectacular 67th-minute winner against his former club, a rising left-foot drive from outside the area, gave Pep Guardiola's side a victory their dominance deserved and saw them leapfrog back over arch-rivals Manchester United.

City were without striker Sergio Aguero, who sustained rib injuries in a car crash in Amsterdam on Thursday, while Chelsea lost top scorer Alvaro Morata to injury in the first half.

Guardiola's men coped with Aguero's absence superbly, and threatened to score long before De Bruyne finally broke the deadlock, with Chelsea keeper Thibaut Courtois making a brilliant reflex save from Fernandinho's header before the break.

City never looked in danger once De Bruyne scored and almost added a second when Gabriel Jesus' volley was headed off the line by Antonio Rudiger.

City's sensational September

In September, City have beaten Watford 6-0, Liverpool and Crystal Palace 5-0, Feyenoord 4-0, and now champions Chelsea 1-0 away from home. They also beat Shakhtar Donetsk 2-0 and West Brom 2-1.

Source:
courtesy of BBC SPORTS

by Phil McNulty

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