Man City's goal machine scored and assisted as Pep Guardiola's side beat Chelsea 3-1 despite a dismal debut for their new recruit
City boss Pep Guardiola included all three of his new January signings in his squad for the visit of Chelsea, handing starts to Khusanov and Marmoush. Yet it was a nightmare debut for the former as the young defender gifted Chelsea the first goal of the match in the opening minutes. The Uzbekistan international made a mess of a clearing header and then didn’t get enough on a ball back to Ederson, allowing Nicolas Jackson to steal in and poke home.
Khusanov barely had time to recover before he found himself in the referee’s notebook for a late foul on Cole Palmer as the Chelsea star went on the attack and cruised past the £34 million man. Fortunately for the defender, City managed to level before the break. Matheus Nunes made a great run forwards and saw a shot on goal blocked, but Josko Gvardiol had followed his run upfield and gleefully gobbled up the rebound just before half-time.
It was then left to Haaland to complete the turnaround and finish off Chelsea in the second half. The striker put City ahead after running on to a fine ball by Ederson, with the Norwegian producing a brilliant finish to curl it over a stranded Robert Sanchez who had nonsensically come racing off his line. Haaland then turned provider by sending Phil Foden through to stroke a low finish past Sanchez and seal all three points for the hosts.
GOAL rates Manchester City's players from the Etihad Stadium….
Getty Images SportGoalkeeper & Defence
Ederson (7/10):
Couldn't do much about the first goal but made some good saves afterwards. Also grabbed an assist as a fine pass sent Haaland away for City's second.
Matheus Nunes (7/10):
A decent showing from the makeshift right-back. Made a great run forwards that set-up the equaliser.
Manuel Akanji (5/10):
A shaky performance from the centre-back. Not convincing at all and lacked the leadership needed to help guide Khusanov on his debut.
Abdukodir Khusanov (3/10):
A nightmare debut for the new signing. Gifted Chelsea the opening goal in the third minute and then went in the book shortly afterwards for a foul on Palmer. Subbed just after half-time when it looked like he was at risk of a red.
Josko Gvardiol (8/10):
A real attacking threat for City on his 50th Premier League appearance. Had narrowly missed a great chance before he equalised.
AdvertisementAFPMidfield
Ilkay Gundogan (7/10):
Looked much more like his old self and pinged some great balls forward which caused problems for Chelsea.
Mateo Kovacic (5/10):
Another unimpressive showing. Guilty of giving the ball away on far too many occasions.
Bernardo Silva (6/10)
Really hard-working display from the Portugal international. Seemed to be everywhere at times.
Getty Images SportAttack
Phil Foden (7/10):
Hit the post in the first half and finished City off late on after being sent through by Haaland.
Erling Haaland (8/10):
Another game and another goal for City's main man. Had plenty to do after picking up the ball but made it look easy as he lobbed Sanchez from the edge of the box. Also claimed an assist after some strong and decisive hold-up play allowed him to put Foden through for City's third.
Omar Marmoush (7/10):
Promising showing from the new signing. Looked really bright throughout and had a goal ruled out for offside.
Getty Images SportSubs & Manager
John Stones (7/10):
Replaced the unfortunate Khusanov early in the second half and helped firm things up at the back.
Kevin De Bruyne (7/10):
Played a part in the third goal by flicking the ball on to Haaland.
Pep Guardiola (7/10):
Wasn't afraid to throw his new signings into the fray with mixed results but saw his team's direct approach pay off. Will be pleased with the way City managed to turn it around after a disastrous start, particularly off the back of a Champions League defeat.
