By Bonnie Mnokono, Sports Reporter – August 17, 2051
LONDON — Chelsea’s unbeaten start to the league season stayed intact thanks to a last-minute winner from McKauley Civzelis, as Pep Guardiola’s side battled past Manchester City 2–1 in front of a raucous home crowd at the Drogba Arena.
The champions took the lead after 27 minutes when Joseph Haigh, playing on the right, cut inside and finished with authority to beat Kyron Terrell at the near post. It was a deserved opener after Chelsea’s high press forced City deep into their own half.
But City, resilient despite being second-best for long spells, struck back quickly. Andy Wilton latched onto Kenny Harding’s clever through ball in the 37th minute and finished clinically to silence the home supporters.
From there, Chelsea pushed relentlessly, amassing 3.28 expected goals to City’s 0.67, but frustration grew as chance after chance went begging. Logan Granger had a header saved, while Matty Roberts forced Terrell into a superb stop.
Just as the contest seemed destined for a stalemate, Civzelis rose to the occasion. In the 90th minute, the defender surged forward for a set piece and buried a close-range effort, sending the Arena into chaos and sealing three points. His performance earned him Player of the Match honors.
Guardiola hailed his side’s persistence: “We showed patience, we showed courage. That’s what big teams do when the game seems closed — they find a way.”
City manager José Eduardo will take some consolation from the fight shown by his younger squad, but the gulf in quality was evident. Chelsea’s midfield dominance — with José Franco and Fernando González dictating play — gave the hosts control for much of the match.
With this win, Chelsea remain perfect in the league, building on their Community Shield and Super Cup triumphs. The sense is growing that this squad, blending experienced leaders like Quiroga with youthful flair from Haigh and Roberts, could be embarking on another historic campaign.