Manchester City showed signs that they are at their best with an important 3-1 win against Chelsea on Saturday evening.
Pep Guardiola's side crashed out of a humiliation at the hands of PSG in the Champions League on Wednesday, and things got off to the worst possible start at the Etihad.
Abdukodir Khusanov made a disastrous mistake just minutes after his debut, with Noni Madueke punching the £33.5m defender's blunder to put Chelsea ahead.
City fought back and were equalized by Josko Gvardiol, before Erling Haaland gave them a second-half lead after a huge mistake from Blues goalkeeper Robert Sanchez.
Phil Foden added the gloss to the win late on after good work from Haaland as City shot back up to fourth in the table.
Mail Sport's Jack Gaughan and Aadam Patel were at the Etihad and they rated both sets of players below…
Manchester City (4-3-2-1)
Ederson – 7.5
Really strong performance from the goalkeeper. Calm under pressure on the ball and a trademark help for Erling Haaland.
Matheus Nunes – 6.5
Super run for Josko Gvardiol's equalizer and best with space to run into. Defensive side still needs some work.
Abdukodir Khusanov – 4
Improved significantly after a horror opening few minutes on debut – one big block, two strong challenges – but the damage was done.
Manuel Akanji – 5.5
Doesn't look himself at the moment and it was another uncertain display. His languid style does not help perceptions.
Josko Gvardiol – 7.5
City's best attacking threat for much of the evening and largely did a decent job of keeping Noni Madueke quiet, but once done late.
Bernardo Silva – 6
Pep Guardiola wants City to slow things down and that is Silva's primary job. Stayed in and out for a bit.
Mateo Kovacic – 5
Another under-par display. Struggling to choose the right moments to play forward and slowly move in the other direction.
Ilkay Gundogan – 7
Nice clip for Gvardiol's goal to open the game and generally sprightlier than he has appeared in recent weeks.
Omar Marmoush – 7
Signs encourage a positive debut. Let himself down by being offside three times, but was a real threat.
Phil Foden – 7.5
Didn't feel like a real 90 minute performance until he was linked with Haaland and slotted home the important third goal.
Erling Haaland – 8
Top finish for his goal – 18 in the league now – and did well overall against two markers. Good job playing in foden.
Replacement
John Stones (for Khusanov, 54) – 7
Kevin de Bruyne (for Marmoush, 74) – 6
Manager
Pep Guardiola – 7
Played a flat three in midfield which seemed to give City a little more protection.
By Jack Gaughan
Chelsea (4-2-3-1):
Robert Sanchez – 4
Lucky to get away with a poor save in the first half when Omar Marmoush was offside from the rebound. I can't really blame the Chelsea keeper for Man City's equalizer, but he was no man in front of Erling Haaland's goal. Shambolic decision to come out and award the three points.
Reece James – 5
Fighted well against debutants Marmoush but failed to do much attacking as City dominated possession. Taken off for Malo Gusto in the 73rd minute.
Trevoh Chalobah – 6
Was solid until Haaland beat him into the city's second in the build-up. Played a nice through ball to Palmer in the first half which should have put Chelsea two.
Levi Colwill – 5.5
One of three Chelsea changes from their win against wolves. Booked for wasting time in the 25th minute, but otherwise placed in a decent shift. Undone by Haaland's class late.
Marc Cucurella – 5.5
However, a typical all-action display will find itself kicking in the way City equalised, failing to get the ball away from danger. Can't fault his workrate.
Moises Caicedo – 5
Had a quiet afternoon and didn't get on the ball anywhere as much as he would have liked. Booked just before the hour for repeat infringements, which summed up how off the pace he was.
Enzo Fernandez – 5.5
Back in the side and didn't do much wrong but failed to take advantage of some dangerous attacking situations when he got the ball. Rarely lives up to its price tag.
Noni Madueke – 6.5
Only eight touches in the first half, but in the right place at the right time to give Chelsea an early lead with a simple finish. Came close to getting another just before the break.
Cole Palmer – 6
Didn't score on his return to Etihad last season and should have scored here but chose to square and got it all wrong when Chelsea were in front. Had much better games.
Jadon Sancho – 5
Tidy on the ball but made no comments and was taken off by Maresca as Chelsea chased an equalizer. Gotta stop going missing.
Nicolas Jackson – 6
Got excellent help for Chelsea's opener, putting pressure on Khusanov, but missed a glorious chance afterwards. Caused a nuisance but was wasteful before being submerged on the hour.
Replacement
Christopher NKUNKU – 5
Came on for Jackson in the 61st minute but failed to have the desired impact and didn't cause nearly as many problems as Jackson.
Malo Gusto – 5
On for Reece James in the 73rd minute but never really got into the game.
Pedro Neto – 6
Jadon Sancho came on in the 73rd minute and looked dangerous. No doubt should have started.
Manager
Enzo Maresca – 5
Ultimately, his party had only their own mistakes to blame. From the moment they took an early lead, they should have at least gotten something out of this game, but their naivete was exposed by Man City. Now just one win in their last seven Premier League games.
By Adam Patel
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