Chelsea bounced back from a loss to Crystal Palace over the weekend by picking up a massive 2-1 win over Manchester City at Stamford Bridge, putting the Blues three points closer to the title.
Antonio Conte made just one change and shifted some positions around from the starting 11 over the weekend against Palace, with Kurt Zouma replacing Nemanja Matic in the starting line-up.
Thibaut Courtois was the last line of defence. Zouma played in the back three with David Luiz and Gary Cahill, while Marcos Alonso slotted in at left wing-back and Cesar Azpilicueta at right wing-back. Cesc Fabregas played in the centre of the park with N’Golo Kante, Eden Hazard and Pedro started as the inside forwards and Diego Costa was up top.
The game opened with a frenetic pace, but the Blues grabbed the lead ten minutes in on a lovely bit of football that ended with Hazard firing a shot off Vincent Kompany’s head and into the back of the net.
City equalised 16 minutes later when Courtois misplaced a pass with his right foot and Sergio Aguero scored on a tap-in.
With ten minutes to go before the half-time break, Pedro got into the packed City defence, received a pass from Fabregas, cut in and was fouled in the box by Fernandinho. Hazard had his shot from the spot saved, but he comfortably slid the rebound past Willy Caballero.
The second half was full of action, but no goals, as Chelsea picked up a well-earned three points.
Here’s what we learned from the win.
