These are five things we learnt from this weekend's biggest game in the Premier League.
John Stone, Kevin De Bryune and Raheem Sterling
» more Manchester City beat Chelsea 1-0 (Andy Hooper/Daily Mail)
Manchester City are back to the top of the Premier League table with an impressive 1-0 win at Chelsea.
Kevin De Bruyne returned to his former club to hurt them, scoring Manchester City’s goal to win the tie. These are five things were learnt from the game.
1. Manchester City are clear favourites for the Premier League
Chelsea's Gary Cahill wins a header from Manchester City's Bernardo Silva during their match at Stamford Bridge in London on September 30, 2017
» more Chelsea's Gary Cahill wins a header from Manchester City's Bernardo Silva during their match at Stamford Bridge in London on September 30, 2017 (AFP)
Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City added glow to their title credentials with the 1-0 win away at Chelsea. It’s even more than the win; the way they dominated the game shows how good Manchester City are.
Dominating the Premier League champions at their own backyard is a huge testament from Manchester City. They are level on points with Manchester United but the Old Trafford side have not faced any top side so far this season. United’s strongest test was their away clash at Stoke City which they failed to win.
Manchester City destroyed Liverpool 5-0 and have now beaten the champions at their own home, no clear favourites than them right now.
2. Conte showed Manchester City too much respect
Antonio Conte showed Manchester City too much respect with his line-up and his tactics. The width and attacking threat that Victor Moses brings to Chelsea were sacrificed for the defensive abilities of César Azpilicueta.
When Alvaro Morata went off injured in the 35th minute, Conte replaced him with Willian instead of a like for like player in Michy Batshuayi.
Batshuayi did come later and that was when Chelsea looked the brightest. Pedro should have also be involved much earlier maybe for Cesc Fabregas who offered nothing in midfield.
3. Kante/ Bakayoko partnership not strong as expected
Raheem Sterling, Tiémoué Bakayoko and N'Golo Kante
» more Tiémoué Bakayoko and N’Golo Kante try to get the ball off Raheem Sterling during the game (CameraSport via Getty Images)
When Chelsea bought Tiémoué Bakayoko and sold Nemanja Matic, the Frenchman was thought to be a better midfielder than the now Manchester United man.
Together with N’Golo Kante in midfield, Antonio Conte wasn't expecting any team to dominate them in the middle. But that was exactly what happened against Manchester City.
De Bryune and David Silva seem to always have all the time in the world anytime they have the ball. No team dominated the Chelsea midfield during the Kante/Matic era.
This must be a worry for Conte.
4. Kevin De Bruyne is currently the best player in the Premier League
Kevin De Bruyne has started this season in brilliant form and his outing in this game shows he is currently the best player in the Premier League.
Playing in a deeper role, De Bruyne now has a better opportunity of dictating and controlling games to devastating effects.
5. Chelsea struggle without inform Eden Hazard
Eden Hazard and John Stone
Eden Hazard (Andy Hooper/Daily Mail)
When Eden Hazard is not in top form, Chelsea struggle, simple. Against City, Hazard was missing.
He played 90 minutes in Chelsea’s Champions League 2-1 away win at Atletico Madrid in the midweek and that might have had an effect on him.
Manchester City were missing Sergio Aguero but enough quality in the team ensured that he wasn’t sorely missed. Chelsea don’t have that kind of depth and it was obvious in this game.
John Stone, Kevin De Bryune and Raheem Sterling
» more Manchester City beat Chelsea 1-0 (Andy Hooper/Daily Mail)
Manchester City are back to the top of the Premier League table with an impressive 1-0 win at Chelsea.
Kevin De Bruyne returned to his former club to hurt them, scoring Manchester City’s goal to win the tie. These are five things were learnt from the game.
1. Manchester City are clear favourites for the Premier League
Chelsea's Gary Cahill wins a header from Manchester City's Bernardo Silva during their match at Stamford Bridge in London on September 30, 2017
» more Chelsea's Gary Cahill wins a header from Manchester City's Bernardo Silva during their match at Stamford Bridge in London on September 30, 2017 (AFP)
Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City added glow to their title credentials with the 1-0 win away at Chelsea. It’s even more than the win; the way they dominated the game shows how good Manchester City are.
Dominating the Premier League champions at their own backyard is a huge testament from Manchester City. They are level on points with Manchester United but the Old Trafford side have not faced any top side so far this season. United’s strongest test was their away clash at Stoke City which they failed to win.
Manchester City destroyed Liverpool 5-0 and have now beaten the champions at their own home, no clear favourites than them right now.
2. Conte showed Manchester City too much respect
Antonio Conte showed Manchester City too much respect with his line-up and his tactics. The width and attacking threat that Victor Moses brings to Chelsea were sacrificed for the defensive abilities of César Azpilicueta.
When Alvaro Morata went off injured in the 35th minute, Conte replaced him with Willian instead of a like for like player in Michy Batshuayi.
Batshuayi did come later and that was when Chelsea looked the brightest. Pedro should have also be involved much earlier maybe for Cesc Fabregas who offered nothing in midfield.
3. Kante/ Bakayoko partnership not strong as expected
Raheem Sterling, Tiémoué Bakayoko and N'Golo Kante
» more Tiémoué Bakayoko and N’Golo Kante try to get the ball off Raheem Sterling during the game (CameraSport via Getty Images)
When Chelsea bought Tiémoué Bakayoko and sold Nemanja Matic, the Frenchman was thought to be a better midfielder than the now Manchester United man.
Together with N’Golo Kante in midfield, Antonio Conte wasn't expecting any team to dominate them in the middle. But that was exactly what happened against Manchester City.
De Bryune and David Silva seem to always have all the time in the world anytime they have the ball. No team dominated the Chelsea midfield during the Kante/Matic era.
This must be a worry for Conte.
4. Kevin De Bruyne is currently the best player in the Premier League
Kevin De Bruyne has started this season in brilliant form and his outing in this game shows he is currently the best player in the Premier League.
Playing in a deeper role, De Bruyne now has a better opportunity of dictating and controlling games to devastating effects.
5. Chelsea struggle without inform Eden Hazard
Eden Hazard and John Stone
Eden Hazard (Andy Hooper/Daily Mail)
When Eden Hazard is not in top form, Chelsea struggle, simple. Against City, Hazard was missing.
He played 90 minutes in Chelsea’s Champions League 2-1 away win at Atletico Madrid in the midweek and that might have had an effect on him.
Manchester City were missing Sergio Aguero but enough quality in the team ensured that he wasn’t sorely missed. Chelsea don’t have that kind of depth and it was obvious in this game.
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