Manchester City 1-3 Chelsea, Premier League 2016: Post-Match Reaction

Manchester City had their hearts broken at Etihad Stadium after watching Chelsea come from behind for the second week in a row and win their eighth match in a row to stay at the top of the Premier League. Gary Cahill scored an own goal, but Diego Costa and Willian won it for Chelsea, who took advantage of some missed opportunities from City to get a giant win in a giant game.

The first half was exceptional, even though it didn't have any real scoring chances. Pep Guardiola surprised us all with a 3-4-3 scheme to mirror the Chelsea lineup and match up man to man throughout the pitch. The players from both teams worked extremely hard to negate spaces to the most dangerous stars, and City especially were able to deny Diego Costa and Eden Hazard the chance to make real impacts. Kevin De Bruyne shined on City's side, Jesus Navas was bright as well, and the Spaniard was involved in the lone goal of the first period, when his cross to the box deflect off the shin of Gary Cahill into the net.

At halftime, a fantastic tactical battle and a vital lead for Man City.

City dominated the first few minutes of the second half, and should have scored at least one goal that would have effectively ended the match. Kevin De Bruyne missed an unbelievable goal, sending a perfect Navas cross into the crossbar when he had an open net. Just two minutes after missing the chance to score another, City paid the price when Cesc Fàbregas played a fabulous long ball to Diego Costa, who chested it down, sent Otamendi away and scored the equalizer for Chelsea.

The visitors did not stop there, and the front three put on a spectacular counter attack, with Hazard finding Costa, who found Willian, and the Brazilian shot it past Bravo for the second. City went forward in search of at least an equalizer but couldn't find it, Eden Hazard scored another goal on the counter,and Chelsea simply cannot be beaten right now.

Man City: Bravo | Otamendi, Stones (Iheanacho), Kolarov | Navas, Fernandinho, Gundogan (Touré), Sané (Clichy) | De Bruyne, Agüero, Silva

Goals: Cahill (45' O.G.)

Chelsea: Courtois | Azpilicueta, Luiz, Cahill | Moses, Kanté, Fàbregas, Alonso | Pedro (Willian), Costa (Chalobah), Hazard (Batshuayi)

Goals: Costa (59'), Willian (70'), Hazard (90')

Reactions

• If you're a fan of tactical battles, that's exactly what you've been treated to today. A truly spectacular game of football in the strategy department. Guardiola and Conte coached the hell out of this game.
• The incredible miss from Kevin De Bruyne will haunt him for a while. Had he scored that, the game was over. Instead, Chelsea came back and won the game. Football is a crazy game.
• Claudio Bravo should have saved Willian's shot. It was perfectly on his reach, and he just watched it go in. Dive, Claudio! Dive!
• The loss hurts badly, but Pep should be proud of his team. They created golden chances against Chelsea's fantastic defense, and that standard of play will lead to good results in the future. It's just that Chelsea are too good.