Guardiola jokes with fans
Pep Guardiola joked in two separate pre-match interviews that he had picked the team for Chelsea based on what the fans wanted. If nothing else, it added to the idea that the Manchester City manager pays more attention to social media than he would admit.
While many Blues would argue that this was the strongest team that could be picked, nobody could be prepared for the inventive but ineffective formation in the first half as playing Joao Cancelo at right wing and effectively moving Rodri back unbalanced the team to encourage Chelsea. Definitive proof that the experiment needed to be abandoned came when Guardiola - who waited until the 87th minute to make subs against Everton - made two changes at half-time and another on the hour mark.
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If the City manager can afford a knowing smile that three of his replacements - Rico Lewis, Jack Grealish and Riyad Mahrez - were heavily involved in the winning goal, he won't need to scroll too much to see that this wasn't quite the XI fans were expecting.
City can ignore Chelsea in league
For good reason, City have been refusing to rule Liverpool out of the title race. Despite a drop in standards at Anfield this season, Jurgen Klopp's side are the only other team in the league that have shown themselves to be capable of winning game after game after game.
The same can't be said for Chelsea. They have loads of injuries, Graham Potter is still working out his best side, and they sit 10th in the league.
Even if they won each of their remaining games, Chelsea would finish on 89 points - not enough to win the league in five of Guardiola's six years in England, six below the average, and nine below what Arsenal are on track to get.
Pressure on Arsenal
Arsenal played very well this week but in the language of the Premier League title race they dropped two points in 'only' drawing at home to Newcastle. Guardiola would not agree with that assessment but cannot deny the words that will follow this game.
Arsenal playing well while not winning can be contrasted with City, who were poor for at least 40 minutes at Stamford Bridge yet found a way to win. The mark of champions, plenty may say.
Stones stands out
Many in the City squad have not come back in the best condition from the World Cup. Kalvin Phillips was dropped from the squad for being overweight, Walker, Cancelo and Foden had not started a game before this one, and Ilkay Gundogan and Kevin De Bruyne have also been below their best.
That cannot be said for John Stones, who has been immense in a depleted backline and shone again against Chelsea. There was an outstanding block to deny Christian Pulisic early on, and then commanding maturity to keep the clean sheet despite playing alongside three different defensive partners.
FA Cup boost
Can Chelsea come back and beat City at the Etihad on Sunday? It's a huge ask that have now lost their last four to the Blues and are struggling.
Having won this first battle of the week, it is advantage City as they look to progress in another tournament.
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