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Manchester City Completes Dramatic Comeback Win Over Chelsea

If you thought that the Premier League title rivals Manchester City and Chelsea would create the drama we are all waiting for, including new signing Khusanov sweating away for more than an hour, you certainly wouldn’t have made the proper call. City’s 3-1 comeback win gave the Premier League magic, grit, and class with just a hint of chaos.

City’s shiny new recruit Abdukodir Khusanov, though, started the game disastrously, gift-wrapping Chelsea’s opening goal. Not the debut he would have dreamed of, but hey, even Pep Guardiola didn’t throw a tantrum—the rare exception tends to be.

Khusanov’s Debut: A Comedy of Errors

For a debut under Guardiola, it’s never easy, and Khusanov knows that. But in the third minute, he fluffed a delicate back header aimed for Ederson to the delight of Nicolas Jackson. But Jackson said, “Thank you very much,” squared it to Noni Madueke, and Chelsea went in front 1-0.

And then Khusanov was booked for a clumsy challenge on Cole Palmer soon after. Guardiola mercifully replaced him in the second half, but his nerves clearly refused to settle. Let’s give the young lad the benefit of the doubt here; debuting in football isn’t for the faint of heart.

Gvardiol, Haaland, and Foden to the Rescue

Manchester City wasn’t about to let Chelsea run riot at the Etihad. Just before halftime, Josko Gvardiol equalized with the reflex save to tap in a rebound. City’s groove returned in the final minutes, and City’s supporters began breathing normally once more.

Enter Erling Haaland. He also played Thor in a football jersey after fresh from netting another sensational chip with a chip to put City 1-0 up in the 68th minute. Even Chelsea keeper Robert Sánchez looked like he wasn’t quite over that strike’s elegance.

Haaland’s brilliant assist was followed by Phil Foden putting the cherry on top by smashing in a breakaway goal in the dying moments. The lad has got pace, precision and flair, and you’ve got to respect that. Chelsea defenders? Not so much.

Omar Marmoush: Quietly Making a Mark

Unfortunately for debutant Khusanov, it was a nightmare, though another new recruit Omar Marmoush was causing Chelsea problems. Egyptian striker Mohamed Salah did not score but was a thorn in Chelsea’s side all through the first half. He gave City his energy and movement, and they exploited them very well.

The Bigger Picture for Manchester City

City’s win took them back into the top 4, four points ahead of Chelsea (6th on 40) and Newcastle. This was a sorely needed morale boost for Guardiola’s Champions League-defeated side.

Speaking of Guardiola, the man said the usual was uncharacteristically quiet about Khusanov’s errors. “Mistakes happen, whether it’s a player or not.” He’s young. He will learn,” said Pep. He almost seemed to be muttering: ‘Not in a Champions League final, hey?’

My Take

I actually really enjoyed the sheer unpredictability of this game. There was something for all fans to shout about from Khusanov’s ‘oops’ moment to Haaland’s sublime chip. Manchester City were always going to be title contenders and showed what kind of resilience they have in going on from two goals down. Khusanov never really stood a chance considering he looked to be gaining no ground, but as for him, let’s hope this was just a bad day at the office. It is brutal in the Premier League, and I think he has got enough about him to bounce back, unless Guardiola’s training sessions actually scare him into an early retirement!

What’s Next for Manchester City?

City will have to iron out their defensive lapses with a Champions League clash with Club Brugge on Wednesday, which is crucial. Can they stay on that attack? It still looks as lethal as ever. One thing’s for sure: Ederson’s next pass will be triple-checked from Khusanov.

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