3 of the Most Memorable Premier League Encounters Between Manchester City and Chelsea

The Premier League has given us countless thrilling encounters, but few rivalries are as intense and star-studded as those between Manchester City and Chelsea.

Both clubs have had their periods of dominance and have produced some unforgettable matches over the years. And with the two English giants set to face each other on Sunday, we decided to dive into three of the greatest Premier League showdowns between these two footballing giants in recent memory. 

1) Manchester City 1-0 Chelsea (March 4, 2018) 

This match wasn’t just about the scoreline; it was a statement game that underlined Manchester City’s dominance under Pep Guardiola. By this point in the 2017/18 season, City were flying high at the top of the table, while Chelsea were struggling to find consistency under Antonio Conte, a manager who had guided them to the title just a season earlier. 

The match itself was a tactical masterclass from Guardiola. City controlled possession with their trademark fluidity, while Chelsea sat deep, trying to absorb the pressure and hit on the counter. Despite Chelsea’s defensive setup, City’s relentless pressing and passing eventually paid off. The only goal of the game came from an unlikely source—Bernardo Silva, who pounced on a loose ball after a cross from David Silva to slot it past Thibaut Courtois.

What made this encounter so memorable was the sheer control City exhibited. Chelsea, usually a force to be reckoned with, were made to look pedestrian. The victory moved City 18 points clear at the top of the table, a gap that would only widen as they went on to break multiple records, including the most points in a Premier League season. 

For Chelsea, this game marked the beginning of the end for Conte. His conservative tactics were widely criticized, and he would eventually leave the club at the end of the season. But for City, this match was another step on their path to becoming one of the greatest teams in Premier League history. 

2) Chelsea 2-1 Manchester City (June 25, 2020) 

This encounter will be remembered not just for the result but for its significance. It was the game that officially handed Liverpool their first Premier League title in 30 years. Manchester City came into the game knowing that anything less than a win would hand the title to Liverpool. Meanwhile, Chelsea were fighting for a top-four spot and were in no mood to make things easy for Pep Guardiola’s men. 

The match started with City dominating possession, as they often do, but Chelsea looked dangerous on the counter. Christian Pulisic opened the scoring for Chelsea with a brilliant solo effort, capitalizing on a rare mistake from Benjamin Mendy. The young American sprinted from his own half, leaving the City defense in his wake before calmly finishing past Ederson. 

City responded in the second half with a stunning freekick from Kevin De Bruyne, one of the best goals of the season. The game seemed to be heading for a draw, but then came the moment that defined the match—and the title race. A chaotic sequence in the City penalty area led to Fernandinho handling the ball on the line. After a VAR review, the Brazilian was sent off, and Chelsea were awarded a penalty. Willian stepped up and calmly converted to seal a 2-1 victory for the Blues. 

The win was monumental for Chelsea, securing them a crucial three points in their pursuit of Champions League football. For City, it was a bitter pill to swallow, as they had to watch Liverpool celebrate a long-awaited title. 

3) Manchester City 6-0 Chelsea (February 10, 2019) 

This match stands out not only for the scoreline but for the sheer dominance Manchester City displayed. It was one of those days when everything clicked for Guardiola’s side. And unfortunately for Chelsea, they were on the receiving end of a footballing masterclass. 

City started the match like a team possessed. Raheem Sterling opened the scoring within the first four minutes, pouncing on a defensive mistake to fire City into the lead. What followed was an onslaught that Chelsea simply had no answer to. Sergio Aguero scored a hat-trick, including a stunning long-range effort that left Kepa Arrizabalaga rooted to the spot. Ilkay Gündogan added another, and by the time Sterling scored his second and City’s sixth, the match had turned into a rout. Chelsea were completely outplayed. Their defense was in tatters, and their midfield, including the usually reliable N’Golo Kante, was overrun by City’s relentless pressing and quick passing. 

The match was a stark reminder of the gap between City and the rest of the league. It also marked the beginning of the end for Sarri at Chelsea. Despite leading them to a Europa League title at the end of the season, Sarri’s position was untenable after such a humiliating defeat, and he would depart for Juventus in the summer. 

For City, this victory was a statement of intent. They were in the midst of a title race with Liverpool, and this performance sent a clear message that they were not going to relinquish their crown without a fight. They eventually went on to win the league, edging Liverpool by just one point in one of the closest title races in Premier League history. 

Also Read: Chelsea vs Manchester City – Premier League – Preview, Team News and Updates