Chelsea inflicted Manchester City’s first defeat of the season in a compelling contest at Stamford Bridge.

Strikers were conspicuous by their absence, with Chelsea’s Eden Hazard and City’s Raheem Sterling deployed in the ‘false nine’ position, and the hosts absorbed repeated pressure from Pep Guardiola’s men before earning a 2-0 win.

Infrequent goalscorer N’Golo Kante gave Chelsea the lead on the stroke of half-time, completing a devastating counter-attack by scoring with the Blues’ first shot of the game, and David Luiz headed in a second 12 minutes from time.

City had been unbeaten in 21 games, since April’s defeat in the Manchester derby, and now sit a point behind Liverpool. Chelsea are third, eight points behind Liverpool.

 

Here, we rate the performances of Chelsea’s players.

CHELSEA

Kepa Arrizabalaga: Not seriously tested until an injury-time effort from Gabriel Jesus and will be pleased with a clean sheet after being at fault in the midweek defeat to Wolves. 6/10

Cesar Azpilicueta: Dealt with the threat of Leroy Sane and produced a crucial block to prevent the Germany forward from opening the scoring. 7

Antonio Rudiger: Solid in the centre of Chelsea’s defence and was part of a unit which restricted City to few chances. 7

David Luiz: Snuffed out an early opening for Sane, set Chelsea away for the opener with fine long pass, and superbly headed home the second. 8

Marcos Alonso: Had a hand in Chelsea’s opening goal and did little wrong. 6

Jorginho: Not the Italy international’s finest Blues performance and was second best against Fernandinho in the first half. Booked. 5

N’Golo Kante: Energetic and emphatically fired the hosts ahead against the run of play on the stroke of half-time. 7

Mateo Kovacic: Worked hard defensively before limping off with an injury. 5

Willian: Forced Ederson into a couple of routine saves but was unable to influence the match as much as he would have liked. 6

Pedro: Selected on the right of the Blues’ three-man attack, the Spaniard grew into the game following a quiet start. Booked. 6

Eden Hazard: Initially starved of service as a ‘false nine’, the Belgium forward assisted both goals for his side. 7

Substitutes:

Ross Barkley (for Kovacic, 65): Slotted into the Blues’ midfield with little fuss after Kovacic’s injury. 6

Ruben Loftus-Cheek (for Willian, 75): Struggled to retain possession during his brief cameo. 5

Olivier Giroud (for Hazard, 90): Not on the pitch long enough to make an impact. 5