So, Manchester City heap the pressure on rivals Arsenal. Six points the gap with a game in hand.
Next week's match between the two could not be bigger.
One more Premier League match to go this round as Manchester United host Leeds United tomorrow night.
But until then, it's goodbye from us.
FT: Chelsea 0-3 Man City
Man City boss Pep Guardiola speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live: "Second half was better. First half was not bad but it was not umph. We attacked left side with Nico [O'Reilly] and Jeremy [Doku], right side we didn't attack once. Second half the mindset was more positive, more threatening to the opponent and that is why we go after the goals and the quality made the difference."
On Cherki's performance: "Stop. Stop. An incredible quality player. That is what I asked from them for a long time. First half he played close to Donnarumma, second half closer to Haaland. That is the difference. His talent has to provide up front, not close to me, and he did it in the second half."
On O'Reilly's impact: "Not at all. Expect this O'Reilly? With the goals playing full-back and holding midfielder sometimes? No chance."
On Arsenal and the title race: "We have seven days. So prepare mentally. Beating Arsenal once is difficult, they proved that all season. So to beat them twice in a margin of three weeks is even more difficult. We play at home, it is a final. Relax and focus on what we need to do through that game. If you win or if you lose everybody knows.
"We have to talk about what we have to do against a team that defends well, wins duels, attacks also with the long balls, thousand million things that they do brilliantly this season that make them the best team in England - the numbers are there - and the best team in Europe - the numbers are there. We have incredible respect.
"I have three people in front of me here, did you bet £1 before the Carabao Cup final that we would win? No chance. You were all thinking Arsenal was going to win. We have to control that next Sunday."
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Man City at the end of a season is like Maximus at the end of the Grand National
Sam W, Liverpool
FT: Chelsea 0-3 Man City
Manchester City defender Marc Guehi speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "I was a tough game. There are no easy games in the Premier League. First half, we did well in spells. You could see how good Chelsea were in their shape and they were making things difficult for us.
"But a lot of players stepped up in the second half and really grateful for the win."
On Nico O'Reilly: "It's amazing seeing his development and how fantastic he's been doing for the team and himself. But it's been a fantastic team performance today. Nico did well but Rayan [Cherki] and Erling [Haaland] worked their socks off too - every single player did well today."
On his goal: "Fortunately, I am playing with a lot of top players. So you never know when the ball is going to come, so you have to be ready always. I think I did OK with the finish."
On scoring against his former club Chelsea: "I wouldn't be here without this football club. I am eternally grateful to every single member of the staff who helped me in the academy and the club for picking me up at such a young age, to Frank Lampard and Jody Morris for giving me my debut when I was here. It's nice to be back."
On facing Arsenal: "It's going to be a big game. But the most important thing for us is to recover and focus on training this week."
FT: Chelsea 0-3 Man City
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "First half was not bad, especially on the right side we had no movement and don't attack space. Second half we made a fantastic three goals."
On Nico O'Reilly: "The Carabao Cup final, two goals, today, he is always there. He has incredible physicality, stays with Estevao and other top wingers."
On next weekend's game against Arsenal: "It's important because we are six points behind them, if they beat us it's over, if we draw also.
"Now we prepare, relax, don't listen much. Before the Carabao Cup final we were underdogs. We have to be calm, prepare, because Arsenal is an extraordinary team. We have that game, but it's game-by-game.
"We have long weeks to recover. Its a pity we could not be better in Champions League. The Premier League is about how you grow the team. The team feel fresh, everyone is there. We have six games left and FA Cup semi-final. It doesn't look much, but it is a lot. Many things are going to happen."
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The chasing pack for European places are going to be so happy with this result. Five teams are 3 points or less behind them.
Peter, Abingdon
FT: Chelsea 0-3 Man City
Image source, Getty ImagesChelsea defender Jorrel Hato speaking to Sky Sports: "First half was good from both sides. We had some chances and they too. But once we conceded, our levels dropped and in the end, it was not enough.
"Even the start of the second half wasn't good. They had three or four chances in the first five minutes. The way we came out of the dressing room was not good already.
"It's hard to tell why. This is not enough for us - a club like Chelsea. It's not what we need this season. We have to reach the Champions League. It needs to be better.
"If you play a first half like that, you can't go out of the dressing room for a second half like that. It's hard to say what it is. I don't know."
On Champions League qualification hopes: "We still have a chance. It has to be better in the next six games. We have to improve. Forget this one quickly and onto next week."
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Chelsea haven't progressed at all and have shown yet again today that they can't compete with the top teams.
John, Ashford
FT: Chelsea 0-3 Man City
Chelsea manager Liam Rosenior speaking to Sky Sports on whether he missed midfielder Enzo Fernandez, who was sanctioned by the club: "Any team will miss Enzo. Myself backed by the leadership group and sporting directors made a decision for the long-term of the club.
"There's nothing personal with Enzo. He will be back with the group on Tuesday. He is a top, top player and a really good guy. Really looking forward to having him back."
On whether there are unresolved issues with Fernandez: "The hurdle I spoke about. Enzo wanted to have a conversation with the leadership group - the main players of the group - and speak to the players. The time I had the press conference, he hadn't done that yet.
"He has spoken with me, the leadership group and all of the players and we look forward to welcoming him back."
FT: Chelsea 0-3 Man City
Chelsea manager Liam Rosenior speaking to Sky Sports: "Not good enough in the second half. We didn't start well. Had moments to clear the box and keep the ball, but we didn't. They were camped in our half for the first five minutes and then we concede a goal.
"Then it's a similar story for the past month now in terms of dealing with setbacks. If you go down against teams as good as this, what you have to do for the next five minutes is to stay in the game. It ended up being a really, really difficult second half."
On building resilience in the team: "I am accountable. This is a group. It's something we need to improve. It starts with your habits and values. I can't say there was a lack of effort. But there was a lack of confidence in the second half. We have to improve. We are in a difficult place at the moment and we have got another huge game next week.
"We can't forget that we were playing against a team in massive form pushing for the title. But we need to win games like this. That's why I have come to the club. When you make these errors, the feeling and flow of the game changes. We have to make sure we need to do better in those moments if you want to win a game of football.
"It's not an excuse for the second half performance. But if that [Marc Cucurella] goal goes in, we go up in terms of confidence and energy. But we have to be more resilient to setbacks. You can go a goal down but you have to stay in the game - that's what disappointed me the most."
FT: Chelsea 0-3 Man City
Three Premier League defeats in a row for Chelsea and five losses out of six across all competitions.
In those three league defeats they have also failed to score.
They remain winless in each of their last 10 top-flight meetings with Manchester City (D3 L7), their longest current streak without victory against an opponent in the competition.
They had a decent first half but capitulated in the second and had no response to Manchester City's constant threats going forward.
Tough games lie ahead against Manchester United and Brighton.
Image source, Getty ImagesFT: Chelsea 0-3 Man City
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola speaking to Sky Sports, on whether this City team is as good as in the past: "The past was something unique, but we are growing. We have long weeks now we are out of Champions League . We are more fresh, in training, everyone knows exactly what they have to do.
"Three opponents, three Champions League teams. We perform not 90 minutes. We were solid enough, didn't concede much, and the threat is there."
On City attacking with four attackers on edge of opponents' box: "The shape can differ - second half was different from first. But the intention is to make problems, win long balls and start to play. The shape is not the point."
On closing the gap on Arsenal: "We are going to play against a team that in 49 games lost three games, in Champions League didn't lose once. In the Carabao Cup final City were complete underdogs - there is not one person in this country that would bet £1 that we would be much better. Maybe now it's a bit different.
"The respect I have for Arsenal, what they have done the last few years. I know the manger, the players, the quality, how they compete in every circumstance, that's the biggest job we have. There is tactical issue, maybe we will adjust something.
"They have been the best team in this country, in Europe, so far. Beating Arsenal once is so difficult, imagine beating them twice in a few weeks. We have to rest.
"I would like to say to my fans - respect Arsenal a lot, they are an extraordinary team. Come to join us from minute one because the players will do the maximum."
FT: Chelsea 0-3 Man City
Micah Richards
Former Man City defender on Sky Sports
Ultimately, you've just got to do it. I preferred chasing. As the underdog, I preferred to chase. Arsenal could have gone 12 points clear yesterday, now it is six points.
I think Arsenal are worried because they haven't done it before.
You look at Declan Rice and [Bukayo] Saka, David Raya is playing well but which leaders are going to help them win the league?
FT: Chelsea 0-3 Man City
Two assists for Rayan Cherki.
That's 10 this season for the Frenchman. He's turning into some player...Despite that bit of criticism from Pep Guardiola.
Image source, Getty ImagesFT: Chelsea 0-3 Man City
Daniel Sturridge
Former Liverpool striker on Sky Sports
There are difficult games for both City and Arsenal. Every one is difficult. City's belief is only going up and they've been there and done it so many times.
There's no underdog between these two. There are leaders in that Arsenal dressing room. You can't let that doubt seep in. It's about next week's game.
Arsenal cannot have a inferiority complex. You have to erase it. They can't go into this game with any doubt. It's a cup final in some ways and they have to view it as that.
FT: Chelsea 0-3 Man City
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola speaking to Sky Sports: "I am always happy when you win way at stadiums at Stamford Bridge. The fans are happy, we are happier.
"Second half was was much better - it was not bad first half, but some players were not as they needed to be. We attacked a bit left side, but right side we attacked without threat. Second half was better on both sides."
On Rayan Cherki: "Rayan is an extraordinary talent - the second goal, the pass to Marc [Guehi]. The problem for Rayan is sometimes he plays in positions too close to Donnarumma, your talent has to be in the final third. Be close to Haaland, close to wingers.
"We will bring the ball to you. It's not necessary to come down [the pitch]. He is so young, his impact in Premier League in first season... he is already an extraordinary player. He has the desire to be even better. That will be good for City and him."
FT: Chelsea 0-3 Man City
When playing within their final 10 games across the last five Premier League seasons (since 2021-22), Manchester City have lost just one of 43 matches, winning 32 times (D10).
They have lost just one of their last 19 Premier League games (W12 D6) and are unbeaten in their last nine (W6 D3), their joint-longest unbeaten streak of the campaign.
FT: Chelsea 0-3 Man City
Pep Guardiola urges supporters to "respect" Arsenal. But it's safe to say he's pleased with that second-half performance.
Full quotes to come.
FT: Chelsea 0-3 Man City
Micah Richards
Former Man City defender on Sky Sports
Players can be very nervous. The experienced players will be cool and think they can get back in the race. Marc Guehi has come from Crystal Palace where he won the FA Cup, he's playing well, scored a big goal today.
The difference with this Man City camp is that they have a different level of confidence. Man City can come back into this race at any time because they have got the quality to do that.
FT: Chelsea 0-3 Man City
Chris Sutton
Former Premier League striker on BBC Radio 5 Live
What would worry me if I was an Arsenal fan is not Man City beating Chelsea, but the manner in which they did it.
Man City make statement in dominant away win over poor Chelsea
At a glance
Man City cut Arsenal's lead at top of Premier League to six points
Nico O'Reilly heads in fifth goal of season at start of second half
Marc Guehi doubles visitors' lead and Jeremy Doku adds third
Chelsea lose third straight league game and remain sixth
Manchester City took full advantage of leaders Arsenal's slip-up with a statement victory at Chelsea to ignite an enthralling Premier League title race.
Second-placed City scored three times in the second half at Stamford Bridge to cut Arsenal's lead to six points - with a game in hand - after the Gunners' shock home defeat by Bournemouth on Saturday.
Pep Guardiola's City had been sloppy during the first half, with the brilliant Rayan Cherki striking a first-time effort from the edge of the box straight at Robert Sanchez and Antoine Semenyo's shot from a similar position deflecting wide.
But the visitors started the second period with more purpose and broke the deadlock in the 51st minute when Cherki stood up a teasing cross which Nico O'Reilly powerfully headed in.
Frenchman Cherki was the provider again just six minutes later, feeding a pass through to former Chelsea player Marc Guehi, who caressed a low finish into the far corner to spark wild celebrations in front of the away end.
Chelsea were falling apart as Moises Caicedo was caught on the ball deep in his own half, allowing Jeremy Doku to break forward and finish with aplomb to seal the three points.
Earlier in the game, Marc Cucurella saw a cool finish ruled out for offside and Pedro Neto's low shot was batted out by Gianluigi Donnarumma, but Liam Rosenior's side fell to a third straight league loss.
City host Arsenal at Etihad Stadium next Sunday (16:30 BST kick-off) in a huge game at the top of the table.
Guardiola loves April and this showing demonstrated exactly why - his side have now won 29 of their past 32 matches in this particular month and last lost five years ago.
While City were not at their best in the opening 45 minutes, the second-half display will turn up the heat on a faltering Arsenal side who are under increasing pressure and know their rivals come on strong during the latter part of the campaign.
"Are you watching Arsenal?" was the chant from City's travelling supporters, who have seen their side claw back deficits in the past to lift the trophy in May - and now look ominously poised to do so this time around.
They possess the magical Cherki in their ranks, who can fashion a chance out of nothing, and the 22-year-old created the first two goals to take his tally to 10 assists for the season, the second-most behind Manchester United's Bruno Fernandes.
City had drawn their previous two league matches after taking the lead but there was no repeat on this occasion, punishing hapless Chelsea for a fifth win at Stamford Bridge in their past six league visits.
While City now have a week off, Arsenal play the second leg of the Champions League quarter-final against Sporting on Wednesday, before turning attentions to next Sunday's massive match at Etihad Stadium.
The result in that contest could have a significant bearing on the destiny of this season's title.
Much of the focus has been on Chelsea's ambitions to qualify for the Champions League, but they may need to start looking over their shoulders at the teams behind them.
Four defeats in five Premier League matches, and just one win in seven, have left Chelsea in sixth place and drifting, even behind an inconsistent Liverpool side, who are four points clear in the final Champions League spot.
In fact, Chelsea are closer to 11th-placed Bournemouth (with the gap just three points) than they are Liverpool.
And the two teams directly beneath the Blues - seventh-placed Brentford and Everton in eighth - are just a point behind them and both in superior form.
Some of the scrutiny for Chelsea's late-season struggles will fall on Rosenior. He set his side up well for the first 45 minutes, surprising Guardiola's team with a counter-attacking approach. However, once Guardiola had time to adjust at the interval, Chelsea were blown away.
Forwards such as Cole Palmer, Neto and Estevao Willian have failed to provide decisive moments - leaving them goalless and defeated for three games for the first time in over 18 years, while defensively they have not kept a clean sheet in five home matches.
Rosenior has not had the benefit of a pre-season and it remains early in his tenure. However, Enzo Maresca's departure in January, following a falling out with club hierarchy, was unplanned and has proven disruptive.
In recent weeks, Enzo Fernandez and Cucurella have spoken about how destabilising the managerial change has been.
Fernandez also talked publicly about wanting to move to Madrid one day, comments which were poorly received inside the club. He was handed an internal two-match ban and missed Sunday's game.
Away from the pitch, a fringe protest group, Not A Project FC, are planning to demonstrate before the upcoming home match against Manchester United. They are expected to march jointly with supporters from French club Strasbourg, who are also under BlueCo ownership.
It will not be lost on Chelsea that they are without a win in 10 games against the era's standard-setters City. Not since beating City in the 2021 Champions League final have Chelsea tasted success against Guardiola, with only Reece James left in the squad from those days.
That record underlines why Chelsea can no longer be considered title contenders, and reflects a lingering inferiority complex after being overtaken by a richer and more successful rival.
With players and fans increasingly frustrated, and momentum firmly negative, there is a real question over whether Chelsea will qualify for European football at all, not just the Champions League.
After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the score displayed represents the average from all the submissions by BBC Sport users.
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 32 | 21 | 7 | 4 | 62 | 24 | 38 | 70 |
| |
| 31 | 19 | 7 | 5 | 63 | 28 | 35 | 64 |
| |
| 31 | 15 | 10 | 6 | 56 | 43 | 13 | 55 |
| |
| 32 | 16 | 7 | 9 | 43 | 38 | 5 | 55 |
| |
| 32 | 15 | 7 | 10 | 52 | 42 | 10 | 52 |
| |
| 32 | 13 | 9 | 10 | 53 | 41 | 12 | 48 |
| |
| 32 | 13 | 8 | 11 | 48 | 44 | 4 | 47 |
| |
| 32 | 13 | 8 | 11 | 39 | 37 | 2 | 47 |
| |
| 32 | 12 | 10 | 10 | 43 | 37 | 6 | 46 |
| |
| 32 | 12 | 10 | 10 | 33 | 36 | -3 | 46 |
| |
| 32 | 10 | 15 | 7 | 48 | 49 | -1 | 45 |
| |
| 32 | 13 | 5 | 14 | 43 | 46 | -3 | 44 |
| |
| 31 | 11 | 9 | 11 | 35 | 36 | -1 | 42 |
| |
| 32 | 12 | 6 | 14 | 45 | 47 | -2 | 42 |
| |
| 31 | 7 | 12 | 12 | 37 | 48 | -11 | 33 |
| |
| 32 | 8 | 9 | 15 | 32 | 44 | -12 | 33 |
| |
| 32 | 8 | 8 | 16 | 40 | 57 | -17 | 32 |
| |
| 32 | 7 | 9 | 16 | 40 | 51 | -11 | 30 |
| |
| 32 | 4 | 8 | 20 | 33 | 63 | -30 | 20 |
| |
| 32 | 3 | 8 | 21 | 24 | 58 | -34 | 17 |
|
Manager:Liam Rosenior
Formation:4 - 2 - 3 - 1
Manager:Pep Guardiola
Formation:4 - 2 - 3 - 1
Manager:Liam Rosenior
Formation:4 - 2 - 3 - 1
Manager:Pep Guardiola
Formation:4 - 2 - 3 - 1
High chance of scoring
Medium chance of scoring
Low chance of scoring
Dominant period
Match momentum measures the swing of the match by comparing each team’s threat to see who is more likely to score within that minute. The momentum value is the difference between each team’s most dangerous moment, or team threat, in that minute.
Match momentum measures the swing of the match by comparing each team’s threat to see who is more likely to score within that minute. The momentum value is the difference between each team’s most dangerous moment, or team threat, in that minute.
| Minute | Team with most threat |
|---|---|
Kick off 1' | Manchester City |
2' | Manchester City |
3' | Manchester City |
4' | Manchester City |
5' | Manchester City |
6' | Manchester City |
7' | Chelsea |
8' | Manchester City |
9' | Chelsea |
10' | Chelsea |
11' | Chelsea |
12' | Chelsea |
13' | Chelsea |
14' | Manchester City |
15' | Manchester City |
16' | Chelsea |
17' | Manchester City |
18' | Manchester City |
19' | Manchester City |
20' | Manchester City |
21' | Manchester City |
22' | Manchester City |
23' | Manchester City |
24' | Manchester City |
25' | Manchester City |
26' | Manchester City |
27' | Manchester City |
28' | Manchester City |
29' | Manchester City |
30' | Chelsea |
31' | Chelsea |
32' | Chelsea |
33' | Manchester City |
34' | Manchester City |
35' | Manchester City |
36' | Manchester City |
37' | Manchester City |
38' | Manchester City |
39' | Manchester City |
40' | Manchester City |
41' | Manchester City |
42' | Manchester City |
43' | Manchester City |
44' | Manchester City |
45' | Manchester City |
45'+1 | Manchester City |
Half time 45'+2 | Chelsea |
46' | Manchester City |
47' | Manchester City |
48' | Manchester City |
49' | Manchester City |
50' | Manchester City |
51' | Manchester CityGoal |
52' | Manchester City |
53' | Manchester City |
54' | Manchester City |
55' | Manchester City |
56' | Manchester City |
57' | Manchester CityGoal |
58' | Manchester City |
59' | Manchester City |
60' | Manchester City |
61' | Manchester City |
62' | Manchester City |
63' | Manchester City |
64' | Chelsea |
65' | Chelsea |
66' | Manchester City |
67' | Manchester City |
68' | Manchester CityGoal |
69' | Manchester City |
70' | Chelsea |
71' | Chelsea |
72' | Chelsea |
73' | Chelsea |
74' | Chelsea |
75' | Manchester City |
76' | Manchester City |
77' | Manchester City |
78' | Manchester City |
79' | Manchester City |
80' | Manchester City |
81' | Manchester City |
82' | Chelsea |
83' | Chelsea |
84' | Chelsea |
85' | Chelsea |
86' | Manchester City |
87' | Manchester City |
88' | Manchester City |
89' | Chelsea |
90' | Manchester City |
90'+1 | Manchester City |
90'+2 | Manchester City |
90'+3 | Manchester City |
90'+4 | Chelsea |
90'+5 | Manchester City |
90'+6 | Manchester City |
90'+7 | Manchester City |
90'+8 | Chelsea |
Full time 90'+9 | Chelsea |
Premier League
All competitions
All competitions
All competitions
Chelsea are winless in their last nine Premier League games against Man City (D3 L6) since a 2-1 away win in May 2021.
Manchester City have won four of their last five away Premier League games against Chelsea (D1), as many as they had in their previous 26 league visits to Stamford Bridge (D8 L14).
Chelsea have lost both of their last two Premier League games, a 0-1 defeat to Newcastle and 0-3 loss to Everton. The Blues last lost three in a row in May 2023 (4), and last did so without scoring in March 1998 (4).
Manchester City have drawn both of their last two Premier League games, despite scoring first each time (2-2 v Nottingham Forest, 1-1 v West Ham). The Citizens haven’t scored first in three successive matches in the competition without going on to win any since December 2003/January 2004 under Kevin Keegan.
After winning each of their first four Premier League games under Liam Rosenior, Chelsea have since won just one of their last six (D2 L3). Since the start of this period (February 10th, a 2-2 draw with Leeds), only Leeds (4) and Tottenham Hotspur (1) have fewer points in the competition than the Blues (5).
Manchester City have won 28 of their last 31 Premier League games in the month of April (D2 L1). Under Pep Guardiola, the Citizens average 2.50 points-per-game in the competition in April (P38 W30 D5 L3), the highest rate of any team to play 15+ matches in a specific month under a manager; in second place is also Guardiola’s Man City side in May (2.47).
Manchester City (51) and Chelsea (50) have had more shots following high turnovers than any other sides in the Premier League this season. Indeed, in the reverse meeting between these two sides in January, Man City recorded 24 high turnovers against the Blues – the most by any side in a single Premier League match this season.
After scoring 19 goals in 17 Premier League appearances prior to Christmas this season, Erling Haaland his since scored just three in his last 12 for Manchester City – two of which have been penalties. Indeed, before Christmas, he was averaging 0.89 non-penalty expected goals per 90 in the 2025-26 Premier League; since, this has dropped to 0.32.
Chelsea’s Enzo Fernández has made more passes that have broken the opposition’s defensive line than any player in the Premier League this season (41). He has also made 36 line-breaking passes into the opposition’s penalty area, a joint-high with Bruno Fernandes.
Bernardo Silva’s next appearance in the Premier League will be his 297th, setting a new record by a Portuguese player in the competition, surpassing Luís Boa Morte’s 296. After netting against West Ham last time out, Silva could score in back-to-back league appearances for Man City for the first time since March 2023.
