Manchester City dismantle Chelsea in six-minute blitz to close gap on Arsenal

Manchester City moved within six points of Arsenal after a devastating second-half display against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. Following the Gunners’ slip earlier in the weekend, Pep Guardiola’s men took time to find their rhythm, with the first half ending goalless and largely uneventful.
But everything changed after the break. Manchester City shifted gears and in the space of six breathtaking minutes the contest was effectively over. The standout performer was Rayan Cherki, whose creativity and sharp decision-making proved decisive. First, he set up Nico O’Reilly to break the deadlock, before playing a key role in the second goal, finished by former Chelsea academy graduate Marc Guehi.
The rout was completed by Jeremy Doku, who capitalised on a costly error from Moises Caicedo. Chelsea, overwhelmed by the intensity and precision of City’s attacking play, had no answer and remain in sixth place.
2025-26, England - Premier League
Chelsea - Manchester City 0:3 (0:0)
Goals: O'Reilly, 51 (0:1); Guehi, 57 (0:2); Doku J., 68 (0:3)
Chelsea: Sanchez Ro.; Hato; Gusto (Acheampong J. K., 88); Fofana W.; Cucurella; Palmer Co.; Andrey Santos (Lavia, 67); Caicedo M. (Essugo, 82); Estêvão (Garnacho, 67); Pedro Neto; João Pedro (Delap, 81)
Substitution: Lavia (from 67); Garnacho (from 67); Delap (from 81); Essugo (from 82); Acheampong J. K. (from 88)
Bench: Sharman-Lowe; Adarabioyo; Sarr; Guiu Marc
Yellow Cards: Estêvão 12; Cucurella 55; Essugo 90
Manchester City: Donnarumma G.; Guehi; Khusanov; Rodri; Bernardo Silva (Kovacic M., 81); Matheus Nunes; Cherki (Foden, 76); O'Reilly (Aït-Nouri, 64); Håland E.; Doku J. (Sávio Moreira, 76); Semenyo
Substitution: Aït-Nouri (from 64); Foden (from 76); Sávio Moreira (from 76); Kovacic M. (from 81)
Bench: Trafford; Ake; Reijnders; Nico González; Marmoush
Yellow Cards: Semenyo 38
