A clinical finish from City’s frontman, Julian Alvarez in the 12th minute was enough to see off Chelsea as they play as Champions of England for the first time.
In truth, Pep Guardiola’s team had started the brighter side in Manchester. Kalvin Phillips, Phil Foden and Sergio Gomez all fired in attempts early on, with the opener then following.
Cole Palmer had far too much space to play in Julian Alvarez, with the Argentinian then despatching effortlessly. It was his ninth league goal of the campaign.
Palmer, a graduate of the club’s academy, then tried his own luck after his earlier assist, but the youngster’s effort was well cleared off the line by Chalobah.
Raheem Sterling came close to netting against his former club just after the half hour mark. Havertz had played through the former-Man City forward, but his left-footed strike was well saved by Ortega.
While City did look comfortable, there was always the chance of a Chelsea leveller in the second period given the slender scoreline at the break. Lewis Hall had two attempts saved by Ortega, first with his weaker right foot and then his left.
Chalobah then glanced a header from a free-kick into the German’s gloves, before Sterling skilfully took on his compatriot Kyle Walker before hitting a low drive on target.
The game then started to fizzle out, despite VAR having to intervene to deny City a second. Mahrez was adjudged to have handled the ball in the lead up to Alvarez’s strike.
Another loss for Chelsea as they struggle to make the first half of the table in a season they spent so much on recruiting players.
