London (AFP)
Chelsea delayed Manchester City's seventh Premier League coronation by winning Saturday at the Etihad Stadium (2-1) on Matchday 35 and took a little psychological boost three weeks before the Champions League final between the two formations.
Led 1-0, Thomas Tuchel's team reversed the match to win in added time against a workforce of City, it is true, very overhauled.
This victory is the second of the German coach against Pep Guardiola, after that in the semi-final of the FA Cup last month (1-0).
It allows the Blues to grab 3rd place in the standings at the expense of Leicester.
The Citizens will have to wait to be titled.
With 13 points ahead at the top of the standings, they will now be watching for a misstep from their runner-up and great rival Manchester United, which begins a series of three matches this week with a trip to Aston Villa on Sunday.
The Sky Blues do not play again until Friday against Newcastle.
Rather than a dress rehearsal before the grand final on May 29 in Istanbul, this meeting was above all a psychological duel between Pep Guardiola and Thomas Tuchel.
"We know that this result will not change the final (of the Champions League), but we are aware that we are able to beat them," said the German technician.
- Nine changes for City -
Unsurprisingly, the Catalan coach has transformed his squad in spectacular proportions, with nine starters in the second leg against PSG left on the bench or put to rest.
His 3-1-4-2 set-up, with Sterling behind the two forwards Jesus and Agüero, was unprecedented this season.
But it was very reminiscent of the one set up against Lyon, last August, in the quarter-finals of the Champions League (1-3).
The Citizens had, that day, paid dearly for the limitless imagination of their coach.
Thomas Tuchel felt the trap, by dispensing with five holders of Wednesday's semi-final against Real Madrid, and by starting two second choices (Alonso and Gilmour).
The significance of this result is therefore relative.
But in the event of a bad scenario in Istanbul, history may remember this new tactical madness from Guardiola.
The first period was blocked ... like a cup final.
Apart from a foray from Ferran Torres and a shot out of target, Manchester City could hardly build.
Only a defensive error by the Danish Andreas Christensen could allow Guardiola's men to open the scoring.
His missed clearance allowed Jesus to be able to cross, for Agüero, who could not take the ball back, for the benefit of Raheem Sterling (1-0, 44th).
Injured on this occasion, Christensen was replaced in the process.
A cause for concern for Thomas Tuchel, who has made him a holder since his arrival.
- Agüero misses his panenka -
City did not take advantage of this twist in the ranks of Chelsea to take off, like this completely failed panenka from Sergio Agüero before the break, on a penalty that could have allowed City to lead 2- 0 (45 + 3).
"It's his decision. He decided to do it his way, there is nothing to add" preferred to evacuate Guardiola after the match.
The meeting was more lively in the second half, with a succession of favorable streaks for both teams.
It took a loss of Rodri's ball in midfield for Chelsea to equalize, with a shot from Hakim Ziyech at the entrance to the penalty area, low to the ground (1-1, 63rd).
It was already the Moroccan who scored the goal of the Cup victory in mid-April.
The Blues gradually increased the pressure, and found a similar going to that seen against Real Madrid in the Champions League on Wednesday.
They held on high even after Gündogan and Foden came into play.
Two goals from Werner and Hudson-Odoi were ruled out for offside, and a lob from Marcos Alonso went right off the frame.
City's defense ended up shattering, as it had with this same device against Lyon last summer.
The goal came from two players in search of confidence, Werner in the pass, Alonso in the conclusion (1-2, 90 + 2).
"In 21 days we will face them again, and we will try to learn the lessons of this match," Guardiola said while awaiting his new tactical battle with Tuchel.
© 2021 AFP