- Troubled Chelsea played Manchester City at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League
- The Blues are now tenth in the League, and the loss to City only added to their troubles
- Injuries continue to pile up as Raheem Sterling, and Cristian Pulisic joined the injury list on Thursday
Raheem Sterling and Christian Pulisic suffered injuries at the start of Chelsea’s Premier League match against Manchester City at Stamford Bridge.
In Chelsea’s EFL Cup match against City earlier in the year, Sterling entered as a substitute; however, on Thursday, the 28-year-old was selected for Graham Potter’s starting lineup against his former team.
Owing to Mason Mount’s absence from the game due to an injury received during Wednesday’s practice, the England international appeared to be starting in a central position behind Kai Havertz.
But within the first three minutes, Sterling was off with what appeared to be a hamstring injury from a challenge with John Stones.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang took over for Sterling as he failed in his bid to run the issue down the touchline.
16 minutes later, Pulisic sustained an injury after Stones made a decisive tackle to stop him from charging into the area, adding to Potter’s injury troubles. Pulisic was replaced by Carney Chukwuemeka.
Chelsea forward Cristian Pulisic was subbed off with an injury in the Premier League clash against Manchester City. | PHOTO: Sport Illustrated |
Reece James, Ben Chilwell, and N’Golo Kante were all long-term absentees before the World Cup, which hasn’t helped Chelsea’s cause this season. James has been sidelined for around a month as a result of an injury he sustained upon returning to play last week.
Chelsea’s aspirations of competing for a top-four finish may be further harmed by the losses of Mount, Pulisic, and Sterling, and this may lead them to intensify their efforts to recruit Enzo Fernandez of Benfica, an Argentina World Cup hero.
Pep Guardiola’s team was able to benefit from the Gunners’ goalless draw with Newcastle United on Tuesday, despite the fact that the reigning champions weren’t at their best in the first half.
Chelsea forward Raheem Sterling was subbed off after three minutes in the Premier League clash against Manchester City in what appeared to be a hamstring injury. | PHOTO: SKY |
Following the halftime break, Carney Chukwuemeka and Nathan Ake both hit the goal frame, despite the fact that neither team had many clear-cut opportunities.
With a close-range goal in the 63rd minute after coming off the bench, Mahrez altered the situation and will make Arsenal nervous going into what is expected to be a crucial month.
The greatest effort came from substitute Chukwuemeka, who cut onto his right foot outside the box and beat Ederson with a low shot that rebounded off the left post.
Manuel Akanji and Rico Lewis were substituted for Joao Cancelo and Kyle Walker by City manager Pep Guardiola at halftime, which gave the reigning champions a boost. Ake hit the post, and Kevin De Bruyne forced Kepa Arrizabalaga into a low save.
Another opportunity was created by Bernardo Silva’s deft movement, setting up De Bruyne to shoot wide, before more changes were made at the hour mark with the entrance of Jack Grealish and Mahrez.
Three minutes later, the same two linked, with Grealish sending a pass across the goal mouth from the left for Mahrez to tap in with ease.
Chelsea will be in action again on Sunday against the same opponents when they take on Manchester City at Etihad Stadium in the FA Cup.
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