Manchester City bounced back from an early setback to secure a 3-1 victory over Chelsea on Saturday at the Etihad Stadium. Debutant defender Abdukodir Khusanov's error gifted Chelsea the lead, but the home side rallied to claim all three points.
Khusanov, a 20-year-old Uzbekistan international signed this week from Lens, had a challenging start to his City career. In the early stages of the match, he misjudged a bouncing ball and then under-hit a header back to goalkeeper Ederson. Chelsea's Nicolas Jackson capitalized on the mistake, intercepting the pass and setting up Noni Madueke to open the scoring.
Just a minute later, Khusanov received a booking for a challenge on Cole Palmer. Struggling to find his footing in English football, he was substituted early in the second half, with John Stones replacing him.
Fellow new signing Omar Marmoush, an Egyptian striker, fared better on his debut. Marmoush posed a constant threat to Chelsea's defense in the first half, his industrious play helping to pin the visitors back.
Manchester City found the equalizer three minutes before halftime. Defender Josko Gvardiol reacted swiftly to slot home a rebound, shifting the momentum in City's favor.
In the 68th minute, Erling Haaland put City ahead. Latching onto a long ball, he noticed Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez off his line and expertly lobbed the ball over him to make it 2-1.
Haaland then turned provider, holding up the ball near the halfway line before releasing Phil Foden. Foden raced through the center and calmly slotted the ball past Sanchez, sealing the 3-1 victory.
\"When we had the start like we did it is difficult, but we played really well and we kept on going,\" Haaland told the BBC. \"We kept pushing and second half was the same. In the end it is what we need to do.\"
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola declined to criticize Khusanov despite the defender's rocky debut.
\"The players were together. That was massively important. Any player can make a mistake. The fans always support the new players. He's so young. He will learn,\" Guardiola said.
The win lifts Manchester City to fourth place in the Premier League table with 41 points, 12 behind leaders Liverpool, who have a game in hand, and one point ahead of Chelsea, who slip to sixth.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
