Manchester Metropolis bounced again after conceding an early objective to beat Chelsea 3-1 on Saturday (January 25, 2025), sparing the blushes of their debutant defender Abdukodir Khusanov whose error gifted the guests the lead on the Etihad Stadium.
The win lifts Pep Guardiola’s facet to fourth within the desk on 41 factors, 12 adrift of leaders Liverpool, who’ve a recreation in hand, and one level forward of Chelsea, who slip to sixth.
The 20-year-old Khusanov, signed this week from Lens, obtained his Metropolis profession off to the worst doable begin, first letting the ball bounce over him after which under-hitting his header again to goalkeeper Ederson, permitting Nicolas Jackson to nip in and sq. the ball for Noni Madueke to attain.
A minute later Uzbekistan worldwide Khusanov was booked for a problem on Cole Palmer and after struggling to seek out his ft in English soccer was ultimately changed early within the second half by John Stones.
Fellow new signing Omar Marmoush fared higher up entrance as he too made his debut. The Egypt striker prompted loads of bother for the Chelsea again line within the opening 45 minutes, and his trade up entrance helped peg the guests again.
The equaliser got here by means of defender Josko Gvardiol, who reacted quickest to fit dwelling a rebound three minutes earlier than the break to show the tide.
The house facet took the lead within the 68th minute as Erling Haaland latched onto a protracted ball and regarded as much as see Robert Sanchez manner off his line, lifting the ball over the stranded Chelsea keeper to make it 2-1.
Haaland then turned supplier, expertly holding the ball up close to the midway line earlier than releasing Phil Foden, who galloped by means of the centre and slotted it previous Sanchez to wrap up the three factors.
“Once we had the beginning like we did it’s troublesome, however we performed rather well and we saved on going and saved on going,” Haaland instructed the BBC.
“We saved pushing and second half was the identical. In the long run it’s what we have to do. We have to lock it within the again and hold going attacking-wise.”
Pep Guardiola declined to criticise Khusanov regardless of the defender’s rocky begin.
“The gamers have been collectively. That was massively vital. Any participant could make a mistake. The followers all the time help the brand new gamers. He is so younger. He’ll be taught,” Guardiola stated.
Revealed – January 26, 2025 01:43 am IST
