After the break, Pep Guardiola‘s team completely changed from the first half’s performance, with substitutes Jack Grealish and Riyad Mahrez teaming up for the game’s lone goal, which the Algerian scored in the 63rd minute.
The second-placed City team was expected to give Graham Potter’s Chelsea a thorough check as they entered the game in last place in the table, but Chelsea actually had the better of the first half.
However, Chelsea was already in trouble after forward Raheem Sterling left the game with what appeared to be a hamstring injury and was replaced by Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
A number of prominent players, including Mason Mount, Reece James, Ben Chilwell, and N’Golo Kante, were also absent for Potter.
In the early going, the match at Stamford Bridge was scrappy, with the visitors controlling possession but producing nothing of note.
The first threat came from Chelsea in the 16th minute, but City defender John Stones saved the day when US attacker Christian Pulisic closed in on goal and produced a brilliantly timed sliding block to stop him.
The American suffered an injury during the challenge and had to leave shortly after, which made things worse for Chelsea.
Teenager Carney Chukwuemeka, who replaced Pulisic, nearly had an immediate effect, but City goalkeeper Ederson stopped Hakim Ziyech’s shot and blocked Ziyech’s strike.
In the 38th minute, Erling Haaland missed with a shot despite having one more Premier League goal this season (21) than the entire Chelsea team.
However, Chelsea remained the team that appeared to be more dangerous and came agonizingly close to scoring when Chukwuemeka struck the post in the 44th minute.
In an effort to gain more control, Guardiola made a double substitute at the break, replacing Joao Cancelo and Kyle Walker with Rico Lewis and Manuel Akanji.
The visitors took control of the game right away, forcing Nathan Ake to head against the crossbar. Chelsea, however, responded well and came just inches away from taking the lead when Thiago Silva flashed wide. On the hour mark, Guardiola substituted Grealish and Mahrez to further reenergize his offensive.
The choice paid off a few minutes later when Mahrez scored from close range after Grealish made a wonderful pass from the left.
However, despite some late pressure and substitutions made by Potter, including the introduction of England forward Conor Gallagher, they were unable to equalize.
After dropping points in a 0-0 draw earlier this week against high-flying Newcastle, the outcome puts City five points behind Arsenal. Chelsea currently sits 10 points outside the top four with just one victory in their last eight league contests.
