Defending Premier League champions Chelsea trail 2014 winners Manchester City at half time, thanks to Sergio Aguero’s 19th top-flight goal of the season.
Aguero broke the deadlock after 32 minutes and 31 seconds at Stamford Bridge, as City exposed Chelsea’s vulnerability to pace with a fast counter-attack.
The goal came from a Cesc Fabregas corner at the other end.
Yaya Toure cleared the in-swinging set-piece at the near post, before the ball fell to Kevin de Bruyne, who played a one-two with Aguero in his own half, then sprinted down the right flank and passed again to the Argentine for him fire past Thibaut Courtois, via a deflection of Gary Cahill.
Chelsea – who started the game 10th in the table with no chance of retaining their title – had been warned about City’s threat on the break moments before Aguero struck.
Courtois made a fine block to deny De Bruyne, after Toure had dispossessed Fabregas on the edge of the City penalty area and played a defence-splitting pass through to the former Chelsea man.
The reason Chelsea struggle against pace is painfully simple. Their team – especially at the back – is old and tired. It needs an injection of talented fresh blood this summer.
SEE MORE:
Thibaut Courtois red card was fair, but it will only be yellow next season
Reckless Chelsea well beaten at home by Man City, Aguero’s second punishes tactical nativity
Marcus Rashford strengthens his position as Man United’s most lethal striker by shooting down Villa
COMMENTS