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Manchester City overcame a nightmare debut from Abdukodir Khusanov to bounce back from their midweek in Paris to secure a hard-earned win over Chelsea.
Khusanov, along with Omar Marmoush, were handed the first start by Pep Guardiola, but early nerves resulted in a mistake that handed Chelsea a third-minute lead courtesy of Nona Madueka.
But Josko Guardiol leveled before the break and Erling Haaland capitalized on some fortuitous goalkeeping from Roberto Sanchez to edge City ahead midway through the second half.
Chelsea’s early adventure was long overturned and Phil Foden added City’s third.
It was an impressive response from Guardiola’s men, who must beat Club Brugge on Wednesday night to push into the Champions League play-offs following their 4-2 defeat at Paris Saint-Germain three days ago.
An early howl from the new boy
Khusan’s first real involvement saw him make the mistake that led to Chelsea’s opener.
The Uzbekistan centre-half, a £33.8m signing from Lens this week, failed to meet a long kick forward and, after allowing it to bounce, could only nod the ball into the path of Nicolas Jackson, who crossed for Madueke to touch down home.
Noni Madueke pounces on Abdukodir Khusanov’s mistake and Chelsea take the lead in three minutes! 🫨 pic.twitter.com/xqg0b6tea5
– Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportspl) January 25, 2025
The 20-year-old was at sea and another mistake, a pass to Mateo Kovacic two minutes later, ended in a yellow card after he bumped into Cole Palmer in an attempt to win the ball back.
The ball appeared to follow Khusanov around the Etihad pitch but he earned a warm ovation from the home fans after 10 minutes with a superb block to deny Jadon Sancho to make it 2-0 after the former City man was played in by former City man Jackson .
City slowly grew into the game and a minute later Foden fired a shot at the post and Sanchez won.
Guardiol should have done better soon after as he shot wastefully over the bar after being found by Haaland.
Unlike Khusanov, Marmoush looked dangerous and the Egyptian thought he had leveled matters with a debut goal after 34 minutes.
The former Eintracht Frankfurt striker reacted quickest after Sanchez could only palm Ilkay Gundogan into the danger area, but the offside flag curtailed the celebrations.
Guardian level
Guardiola’s runs from deep were causing Chelsea problems and the Croatian defender was stuck with half-volleys before grabbing a deserved equalizer for the home side three minutes before the break.
Gundogan’s clipped pass was picked out by Matheus Nunes and, although his shot was deflected by Sanchez, Guardiol produced the loose ball to fire into the net.
Josko Guardiol shoots into an empty net to pull Manchester City level! 💥 pic.twitter.com/ley5ikzcqcc
– Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportspl) January 25, 2025
Guardiola replaced Khusanov nine minutes into the second period when John Stones came on.
Marmoush stayed, and remained a threat to Chelsea. And he came close again to his debut goal after 67 minutes, shooting inches wide after connecting beautifully with Haaland.
His finish lacked precision, something rarely associated with Haaland, and the big Norwegian showed him how to do it a minute later.
Haaland takes advantage of Sanchez’s poor positioning
After latching on to Ederson’s long ball forward, Haaland shrugged off Trevoh Chalobah, cut onto his left foot and lifted a lovely shot over the awfully positioned Sanchez and into the back of the net.
Erling Haaland catches Roberto Sanchez from the line and shoots him! 🎯 pic.twitter.com/ikucihpvmd
– Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportspl) January 25, 2025
Kevin de Bruyne replaced the impressive Marmoush on 16 minutes and played a part in City’s third goal, nodding the ball to Haaland who slotted past Foden to slot home.
