Haaland shines as Manchester City beat Chelsea, break into top four

Erling Haaland led Manchester City to a 3-1 comeback victory over Chelsea, propelling the reigning champions into the Premier League’s top four at the expense of their opponents.

The game began disastrously for City, as debutant Abdukodir Khusanov’s misjudged header allowed Chelsea’s Noni Madueke to score the opener within three minutes.

Despite Khusanov’s shaky performance, City rallied to level through Josko Gvardiol before Haaland’s brilliance turned the tide.

Haaland showcased his trademark combination of power and precision, chipping Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez to give City the lead 22 minutes from time. He then set up Phil Foden to seal the victory, extending City’s strong run of form to four wins in their last five league matches.

Chelsea, now winless in six of their last seven league games, dropped to sixth place, with questions raised about Sanchez’s positioning in Haaland’s crucial goal.

The victory bolsters City’s push for next season’s Champions League as they face a crucial midweek clash against Club Brugge to salvage their current European campaign.

While Khusanov struggled, Omar Marmoush impressed on his City debut. The Egyptian, signed from Eintracht Frankfurt, came close to scoring twice, showing promise in Guardiola’s revamped lineup.

After Gvardiol equalized just before halftime, City dominated the second half. Haaland’s physical dominance led to his 24th goal of the season, and his assist to Foden underscored his growing influence as City regained momentum.

Chelsea, meanwhile, face renewed pressure to address their inconsistent performances and defensive frailties.