Manchester City overcame Abdukodir Khusanov’s nightmarish debut to bounce back from their midweek mauling in Paris and claim a hard-earned victory over Chelsea.
Khusanov, along with Omar Marmoush, was given a first start by Pep Guardiola, but early nerves led to an error which handed Chelsea a third-minute lead courtesy of Noni Madueke.
But Josko Gvardiol leveled before the break and Erling Haaland capitalized on some haphazard goalkeeping from Robert Sanchez at Edge City ahead of the second half.
Chelsea’s first venture had long failed and Phil Foden added City’s third late on.
It was an impressive response from Guardiola’s men, who must beat club Brugge on Wednesday night to stay in the Champions League qualifiers following their 4-2 defeat at Paris Saint-Germain three days ago.
New Boy’s First Howler
Khusanov’s first real involvement saw him make the mistake that led to Chelsea’s opener.
The Uzbekistan centre-half, a £33.8m signing from Goal this week, failed to deal with a long punt and, after allowing it to rebound, could nod in the path of Nicolas Jackson, who faced Madueke at tap to tap to tap the house ball.
Noni Madueke pounces on Abdukodir Khusanov’s error 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, an underhand pass to Mateo Kovacic two minutes later, ended in a yellow card after he rushed at Cole Palmer in an effort to win back the ball.
It looked like the ball was following Khusanov around the Etihad pitch, but he earned a warm applause from the home fans after 10 minutes with a superb block to deny Jadon Sancho making it 2-0 after the former man about town was played by Jackson.
City were slowly growing into the match and Foden fired a shot against the post a minute later with Sanchez beaten.
Gvardiol should have done better shortly after than shoot over the bar after being found by Haaland’s shot.
Unlike Khusanov, Marmoush looked dangerous and the Egyptian thought he had leveled questions with an opening goal after 34 minutes.
The former Eintracht Frankfurt striker reacted quickest after Sanchez could only palm Gundogan’s volley into a dangerous area, but the offside flag curtailed the celebrations.
Gvardiol Levels
Gvardiol’s runs from deep presented Chelsea with a problem and the Croatia defender hit a half-volley wide before grabbing a deserved equalizer for the home side three minutes before the break.
Gundogan’s cut pass picked out Matheus Nunes and, although his shot was pushed away by Sanchez, Gvardiol latched on to the loose ball to fire into the net.
Joško Gvardiol shoots into an empty net to pull Manchester City level! 💥 pic.twitter.com/ley5ikzcqc
– Sky Sports Premier League (@skysportspl) January 25, 2025
Guardiola replaced Khusanov nine minutes into the second half with John Stones.
Marmoush stayed, however, and remained a threat to the Chelsea backline. And he went close again for a first goal after 67 minutes, shooting inches after linking Haaland well.
His finishing lacked precision, something that can rarely be attached to Haaland and the big Norwegian showed him how it should be done a minute later.
Haaland capitalizes on Sanchez’s poor positioning
After latching onto Ederson’s long ball forward, Haaland pulled back Trevoh Chalobah, pushed back his left foot and lifted a lovely shot over the terribly positioned Sanchez and into the back of the net.
Erling Haaland catches Robert Sanchez off his line and shoots him! 🎯 pic.twitter.com/ikucihpvmd
– Sky Sports Premier League (@skysportspl) January 25, 2025
Kevin de Bruyne replaced the impressive Marmoush with 16 minutes remaining and played a part in City’s third goal, nodding for Haaland and he pushed it past Foden to slot home.
