Kevin de Bruyne scored a brilliant second-half goal to seal Manchester City's 1-0 win over Chelsea and a 13-point lead over their nearest rivals in the Premier League on Saturday. The Belgian midfielder took a pass from Joao Cancillo in Chelsea's half, went ahead, and got to the bottom corner with a shot from outside the field. This gave City their 12th consecutive win on their relentless march towards a sixth title in 11 years, with third-placed Liverpool now the team's best chance to catch Pep Guardiola's side, 14 points behind, but with two games in hand. . "We are in a position where we are eight or 10 points ahead, but also eight or 10 points behind," De Bruyne said. "We know this can change very quickly." The goal may also have given de Bruyne a certain sense of personal satisfaction, being a former Chelsea player - he was sold at Stamford Bridge in 2014 without making a mark - and given the pain he suffered from a head injury. forced during. The Champions League final was lost to Thomas Tuchel's team last season.
City dominated the majority of an intense game at the Etihad Stadium, stopping second-placed Chelsea with a shot in the first half and seeing Jack Grealish squander the best opportunity before halftime when by outleg leg off goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga. His shot was retracted. Romelu Lukaku had the best chance for Chelsea at the start of the second half, but Ederson saved the striker's curling shot after it was played. Otherwise, the visitors were returned inside their own half by City's press and ball control. De Bruyne said, "That's what happened recently against Chelsea because they played under Tuchel and even (Antonio) Conte. You won't get five clear chances against them. Sometimes you have to be patient. It's needed and that's what we do." Otherwise, the game drags on and it makes it more difficult for us." Tuchel was satisfied with Chelsea's defensive performance, but complained of a lack of "precision" and "restraint" at the front, saying it was a good serve for Lukaku. Failing to do was not a case. "Sometimes he has to serve," Tuchel said of Lukaku, who apologized for giving a recent interview in which he indicated that he had to do with the coach's playing style. The problem was." He had a lot of balls to lose and a big chance. Of course we want to serve him but he is part of the team.