Manchester City overcame a nightmare debut from Abdukodir Khusanov to bounce back from their midweek mauling in Paris and secure a hard-earned victory over Chelsea.
Khusanov, along with Omar Marmoush, was handed a first start by Pep Guardiola but early nerves resulted in a blunder that handed Chelsea a third-minute lead courtesy of Noni Madueke.
But Josko Gvardiol levelled before the break and Erling Haaland capitalised on some haphazard goalkeeping from Robert Sanchez to edge City in front midway through the second half.
Chelsea’s early adventure had long fizzled out and Phil Foden added City’s third late on.
It was an impressive response from Guardiola’s men, who must beat Club Brugge on Wednesday night to scrape into the Champions League playoffs following their 4-2 defeat at Paris Saint-Germain three days ago.
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Early howler from new boy
Khusanov’s first real involvement saw him make the error that led to the Chelsea opener.
The Uzbekistan centre-half, a £33.8million signing from Lens this week, failed to deal with a long punt forward and, after allowing it to bounce, could only nod the ball into the path of Nicolas Jackson, who squared for Madueke to tap home.
Noni Madueke pounces on Abdukodir Khusanov’s error and Chelsea take the lead inside three minutes! 🫨 pic.twitter.com/xqg0b6tea5
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) January 25, 2025
The 20-year-old was all at sea and another error, an under-hit pass for Mateo Kovacic two minutes later, ended with a yellow card after he lunged in on Cole Palmer in an attempt to win the ball back.
It seemed the ball was following Khusanov around the Etihad pitch but he earned a warm round of applause from the home fans after 10 minutes with a superb block to prevent Jadon Sancho from making it 2-0 after the former City man had been played in by Jackson.
City were slowly growing into the game and Foden fired a shot against the post a minute later with Sanchez beaten.
Gvardiol ought to have done better shortly afterwards than shoot wastefully over the bar after he had been found by Haaland’s flick on.
In contrast to Khusanov, Marmoush was looking dangerous and the Egyptian thought he had levelled matters with a debut goal after 34 minutes.
The former Eintracht Frankfurt forward reacted quickest after Sanchez could only palm Ilkay Gundogan’s volley into a dangerous area but the offside flag curtailed the celebrations.
Gvardiol levels
Gvardiol’s runs from deep were providing Chelsea with a problem and the Croatia defender lashed a half-volley wide before he grabbed a deserved equaliser for the home side three minutes before the break.
Gundogan’s clipped pass picked out Matheus Nunes and, although his shot was repelled by Sanchez, Gvardiol latched on to the loose ball to fire into the net.
Joško Gvardiol fires into an empty net to pull Manchester City level! 💥 pic.twitter.com/LeY5IKzCQC
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) January 25, 2025
Guardiola replaced Khusanov nine minutes into the second period with John Stones coming on.
Marmoush stayed on, though, and remained a threat to the Chelsea backline. And he came close to a debut goal again after 67 minutes, firing inches over after linking up nicely with Haaland.
His finish lacked precision, something that can rarely be attached to Haaland and the big Norwegian showed him how it should be done a minute later.
Haaland capitalises on poor Sanchez positioning
Having latched on to Ederson’s long ball forward, Haaland held off Trevoh Chalobah, cut back on to his left foot and lifted a lovely shot over the woefully positioned Sanchez and into the back of the net.
Erling Haaland catches Robert Sanchez off off his line and fires it in! 🎯 pic.twitter.com/IkucihpVmd
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) January 25, 2025
Kevin De Bruyne replaced the impressive Marmoush with 16 minutes to go and played a part in City’s third goal, nodding the ball on for Haaland and he poked it through to Foden to slot home.
