Chelsea 0 Man City 1 LIVE RESULT: Mahrez goal seals victory as Guardiola’s side close gap to Arsenal – updates

That’s all from Stamford Bridge

Gunners beware! The Manchester City title charge is coming!

Pep Guardiola utilised his expensive squad of stars to turn a tough Stamford Bridge test in his favour tonight as they closed the gap at the top to five points.

Chelsea, meanwhile, can take heart in defeat.

Despite further injuries to Raheem Sterling and Christian Pulisic, the hosts ended the game with three teenagers on the pitch proving that the future is bright, even if their current predicament has fans feeling blue.

Thanks for joining us, and goodnight.

Champions narrow gap on Gunners

There could have been ten points between the sides on Tuesday evening, but as we end Thursday Arsenal lead Manchester City by just five.

However, we’re not even at the halfway stage of the season yet because of the World Cup, and the table may look quite different after the next round of Premier League games when City travel to Manchester United, and the Gunners visit Tottenham.

Meanwhile, Chelsea remain in tenth, their lowest position at this stage of the season since Jose Mourinho’s final season in 2015-16.

The Blues also have a local derby next up with them due to visit high-flying Fulham next Thursday.

City’s Jack in the box

Jack Grealish was left out of Pep Guardiola’s starting line-up, but was introduced in the second half to make a difference – even if his introduction caught him by surprise.

The England man has now assisted three goals across his last three Premier League appearances for Manchester City, doubling his tally from his first 34 games in the competition for the club.

I didn’t think I was coming on, and then Riyad [Mahrez] said, ‘Jack you’re coming on!’ And I was like, ‘Oh buzzin’, I’ll see ya later!’

Jack GrealishSky Sports

City strike while hot

After making two changes at half-time, Manchester City came our roaring in the second half and eventually got their goal when at their most dominant.

The following Opta graphic highlights the points during the contest when each side was in the ascendancy.

Stones a rock in defence

Manchester City centre-back John Stones put in a monster performance at Stamford Bridge, epitomised by his first half challenge to deny Christian Pulisic a shot at goal.

After picking up the man of the match award, the England defender admitted that he feels his game is in a good place, but he’s not yet getting carried away with the title race.

I feel like I’ve been in a good zone for the past two or three years. I have had to work on my game and be a better player and person. We don’t focus on the Premier League table. There are still 63 points to play for so we just have to take it game by game.

John StonesSky Sports

Match stats from Stamford Bridge

After a first half edged by the hosts, City found their class at the start of the second period and ended as deserved winners.

Full time – Chelsea 0-1 Man City

Paul Tierney calls time on this capital clash, and Manchester City will take three points back north with them as they close the gap on leaders Arsenal to five.

The only goal of the game came courtesy of substitute Riyad Mahrez with a close range finish, laid on for him by fellow sub Jack Grealish.

It’s a tough take for Chelsea, who ended with a very young side after losing Raheem Sterling and Christian Pulisic to injury early in proceedings.

Chelsea 0-1 Man City – Koulibaly yellow card

90+4. With Chelsea throwing men forward, Mahrez wins back the ball and threatens to counter.

The Algerian doesn’t get too far before meeting the bruising figure of Koulibaly, who receives a yellow card for his trouble.

That should be enough to get City over the line.

Chelsea 0-1 Man City

90+1. Hall with the chance! Wide!

Another decisive run from Chukwuemeka through the middle is topped by his perfectly-weighted pass left to his fellow substitute.

Hall’s first touch is a little loose, but he still has a clear sight of goal and teammates in the middle.

The teenager takes the shot on, and arrows it high and wide of the near post.

Was that the opportunity for Chelsea?

Chelsea 0-1 Man City

90. There will be a minimum of four minutes to be played at Stamford Bridge.

Four minutes for Manchester City to survive.

Four minutes for Chelsea to rescue a point.

Chelsea 0-1 Man City – Kovacic yellow card

89. In the final minute, the first yellow card of the game.

De Bruyne, Haaland and Grealish combine to bring the ball out of defence and counter.

The former Villa star has room to gallop through the middle, but is stopped crudely in his tracks by Kovacic trying to get back.

Chelsea 0-1 Man City

88. Chukwuemeka leads the charge down the left as Chelsea come again.

The impressive Hall eventually takes over with a cross that deflects into the danger area, only for Grealish to cooly clear.

Chelsea 0-1 Man City – Man City substitution

86. He’s not just a sexy body.

Kalvin Phillips is on to show his worth to Pep Guardiola in other ways, replacing Rodri in City’s midfield for the final few minutes.

Chelsea 0-1 Man City

85. As Havertz wins a free-kick just inside the City half, Rodri goes down with cramp.

It may just be a little bit of game management from the Spanish midfielder, but Pep Guardiola is taking no chances and is preparing a final substitution.

Chelsea 0-1 Man City

83. There’s still something in this for Chelsea, you know.

They’re not creating any chances, but through Gallagher’s enthusiasm, they are giving City something to think about.

Don’t rule out a surprise twist yet.

Chelsea 0-1 Man City

81. Zakaria is going to complete 90 minutes of football for Chelsea for the first time this evening.

A combination of hard work, persistence and the luck of his teammates dropping like flies, has made the Swiss midfielder a key component of Graham Potter’s team.

Chelsea 0-1 Man City

80. It’s headless, but my word is it entertaining.

I’m talking about Conor Gallagher’s one-man press, of course.

The substitute goes chasing after Akanji and then Stones, somehow keeping the ball in play, and – even more surprisingly – without conceding another free-kick.

Chelsea 0-1 Man City

78. In a moment of frustration, Gallagher flies into Stones seconds after the defender had released the ball.

It’s probably the most worthwhile thing the midfielder has done in three months.

Chelsea 0-1 Man City

76. Of course, Chelsea would have to get the ball first.

City are keeping possession very well at the moment.

Chelsea 0-1 Man City

75. Fifteen remaining at the Bridge.

This one looks to be going City’s way at the moment, but while the lead is just one, there’s always a chance.

Chelsea 0-1 Man City

74. Hall shows himself a willing runner by bursting in front of Mahrez to intercept Ederson’s throw.

With space ahead of him, Kovacic’s eyes light up, but the long range shot that follows is horribly off target.

Chelsea 0-1 Man City

72. Haaland almost slides in for a second.

More crisp movement down the flanks from City offer the chance to cross, and again a low centre catches Kepa in no-man’s land.

This time the Chelsea goalkeeper gets away with his inaction with Haaland a yard short of being able to convert.

Chelsea 0-1 Man City

70. Twenty minutes remain, and it’s worth pondering that veteran centre-back Thiago Silva is still six months older than the combined age of recent subs Lewis Hall and Omari Hutchinson.

Chelsea 0-1 Man City – Chelsea triple substitution

68. Some bold moves from Graham Potter.

The Chelsea boss has decide to make his final three changes, and includes two more teenagers in Lewis Hall and Omari Hutchinson.

Also on is Conor Gallagher, but off has gone Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who was only brought on as a substitute himself 63 minutes ago.

Hakim Ziyech and Marc Cucurella also depart.

Chelsea 0-1 Man City

67. It’s now only the Manchester City fans that can be heard, serenading their players from the Shed End of Stamford Bridge.

Will the home fans have anything to sing about before the end?