(Premier League 2022/2023): Highlights Manchester City - Chelsea

Chelsea travel to Manchester City to face the champions of England less than 24 hours after City were crowned for the third year in succession. While stopping the celebrations is a daunting task, City have been imperious in this season's final stretch. They tore apart Real Madrid here in the week and they've crushed Arsenal's title dreams with a devastating run of form which has seen them win their last 11 league games. Tough afternoon in prospect for the Blues perhaps then, but there's one thing in Chelsea's favour. The last team to stop City winning a league game here at the Etihad were Everton under the charge that day of one Frank Lampard. Here's Palmer and Alvarez! 1-0 hasn't taken City long to go in front and it's Julian Alvarez against Chelsea again. Scored in both cup meetings between the teams, now he's got one in the Premier League too. It's Manchester City 1, Chelsea 0. It's the 17th goal of the season for the back-up striker. It's just such a simple goal, isn't it? Lewis moved it on to Foden, look at that for a pass to Palmer. That's Piliqueta nowhere near. Palmer, cut back for Lewis. Oh, they're in each other's way. There's Foden, still might break for Mahrez. Gallagher put his body in the way, but they were queuing up to score. Yeah, it's brilliant from Cole Palmer. The first few occasions he's got into that situation, hasn't been able to find the right pass, but here the cutback was definitely the right option. Just controlling possession without really hurting Chelsea until now. Here we go, Foden. Here's Palmer, is he going to go for goal himself this time? Oh, he almost cuts it across for Alvarez, whether that was his intention or not. Foden with a little nudge on the back, and then Loftus-Cheek relieves the pressure. It's a cross shot in the end. Certainly looking towards the target. Oh, it's the deflection, isn't it, from Forfana? And they're scooping one over the top. Good ball for Sterling. You could see what he was trying to do, lay it off for Havertz, but he didn't get the necessary contact. It's really good play. Gallagher's movement was excellent, just coming into a little pocket of space there. Havertz. Oh, lovely ball. Sterling, one-on-one here. Can he find a finish? Straight at Ortega. It's a really good chance for Chelsea to draw level. All of a sudden, they pierce through that City back line. And Sterling found himself bearing down on goal, but couldn't beat the standing goalkeeper. Good save. Not committing himself. Ortega early. Chelsea having a spell, though. Ortega's in possession. On a couple of occasions, he's just struck lovely little daisy cutters into midfield players. Here's Hall. Well, that's a good ball, and Conor Gallagher at the back post hits the post. Chelsea a lick of paint away from drawing level. Broken for Loftus-Cheek. Here's Sterling. Really good spell for the Blues. Havertz deflected. It'll come here for Sterling. He had it taken off his toe just as he was about to shoot. It's a corner. It'll be just about time to take it. That was going to end in a certain Chelsea goal. Good challenge from Lewis Hall to dispossess Mahrez. Here goes Sterling. Hall to his left in loads of space. If he gets his head up, Raheem Sterling. Still he hangs on to it. Now he plays it to Hall. He's going to have a go with the swinger, Lewis Hall. He got it right on target as well. Terrific effort with his weaker foot. Loads of pace on the strike, but just couldn't angle it towards either corner. It'd be a frustration. He looks so close to his first City goal. Sterling on the counter for Chelsea. Hernandez ahead of him. Havertz too. Space again, left side for Hall. That's where the ball's going. It's Hall again. He's going to go for goal again. Turned away by Ortega, and Havertz couldn't quite snaffle the rebound. It's a difficult conundrum for Chelsea to work out throughout the proceedings, but at the moment, it's all a bit half-paced from the champions. Well, Milko Gundogan is out of contract at the end of the summer. Here's Sterling. Another chance for Raheem Sterling. Can he take it? Sterling! Oh, as it crept over the line. It was so close, Michael Oliver says. No goal. Left side flag on up. It's a ball out of nothing. Just down the side. Cole Walker's the covering defender. Did Raheem Sterling go a fraction too early? I thought he'd taken too many touches. That's actually brilliant play to get the clear sight of goal, and that's a very important touch from Ortega. Direct again, and Mahrez in behind here. Did he use his hand there? Play going on for now. Alvarez turns it in for two. Chelsea say handball. For now, the goal's given. Could be a guilty look there from Alvarez. Get a better idea here. It's that handball to me. Surely this goal's not going to stand. I'm very surprised there was anything but... Well, we know what happens nine times out of ten when the referee comes over to the monitor. He only needs one look to say no goal. Handball. Here's Mudric. Here's a good example of what we were talking about. Another chance to get a goal. He goes begging. Yeah, it really is a more confident Mudric, more confident player in that position. Got to get it onto the goal and make the goalkeeper make a save. He well stopped in the middle as well. Hernandez, good run from Trulisic. Good cross as well. Almost equalised with what might be the last kick of the game. Last, last chance. Mudric's outswinger. Oh, and the header goes over from Chalabert. That'll be such a frustration for the staff. Another good chance. Chalabert up above Rodri. Yes, the ball's swirling away from the goal. It's an outswinger but sees it all the way and just can't get it underneath the crossbar. But yeah, definitely enough chances, you know, in isolation to take at least a point from today. But it is the champions who end their season at the Etihad Stadium with a victory. That early Julian Alvarez goal was enough to do the damage for them in the end. Lots of people are on the pitch. They'll have to get off before City get the trophy. Chelsea heading back to London, but they'll be back in Manchester on Thursday evening. Beaten here, but they can leave with their heads held high. And another day they could have won it, but it finishes Manchester City 1, Chelsea 0. We'll be right back.