Chelsea’s title hopes were handed a perhaps fatal blow as they slipped to a 1-0 win against Manchester City in Saturday’s early kick off.
It was a game that was a repeat of last season’s Champions League final in which Chelsea of course were victorious, though the two teams came into this fixture separated by 10 points at the top of the Premier League.
It would be league leaders Manchester City who were thoroughly dominant throughout the first half, outnumbering Chelsea’s midfield pair and keeping the visitors pinned back in their own half, with Romelu Lukaku cutting an isolated figure.
The first real big chance of the game came with six minutes of the first half remaining, the Citizens pressing Chelsea into a mistake on the edge of their own box, only for Jack Grealish’s effort from inside the area to be smartly saved by the leg of Kepa Arrizabalaga.
It was a pattern that would continue in the second half, with Chelsea again pinned back, and seemingly being reluctant to play it forward towards their centre-forward.
The breakthrough would finally come with 20 minutes to play, Kevin de Bruyne receiving the ball on the half-turn from Joao Cancelo, riding a challenge from N’Golo Kante, before curling a sumptuous finish beyond Kepa from the edge of the box.
Chelsea brought on Timo Werner, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Mason Mount in the second-half in a bid to try change the pattern of the game, though it was to no avail as City continued to control proceedings and hold onto their 1-0 lead to open up a 13 point lead at the top of the table.
Speaking afterwards, Thomas Tuchel said he felt his side deserved a point from the encounter, though admitted his side didn’t create enough chances.
Chelsea had fewer touches in the opposition box (7) and fewer shots (4) against Man City than they have in any other Premier League game under Thomas Tuchel.
Offered little attacking threat this afternoon. pic.twitter.com/vniAtbXmar
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) January 15, 2022
“A result like this can happen,” he told BT Sport. “We deserved a draw. We didn’t allow big chances – one from a big mistake in the first half, but we were not under that much pressure.
“Performance-wise it was OK. From the commitment, I’m absolutely OK with the performance. We have won games like this against City and that feels very different, but that’s the way it is.
“We had eight or nine offensive transitions and zero touches in the box. It was simply a lack of precision and a lack of composure. On a level like this we lost too many balls too easily. That was a big problem in our game today.
“We had moments where we suffered, but not stronger than in the first game. In the first half we can do much better and create better chances with better ball control.”
Asked about the lack of service to Romelu Lukaku, the Blues boss said that the Belgian was as much to blame for squandering possession.
“Sometimes he has to do the service. He had many ball losses and a huge chance. Of course we want to serve him but he’s part of the team. The performance up front in the first half, we can do much, much better.”
Chelsea have now won just one of their last six Premier League games, though despute the gap to Man City, Tuchel said his side will not give up on the title.
“It’s not my question to answer. We won’t give up, but if City keep on winning every game, nobody can catch them.”
