EPL 2022-23: Manchester City maintained its composure to come up with a marginal 1-0 success against Chelsea on Thursday. Meanwhile, club boss Pep Guardiola hailed Rico Lewis for his incredible gameplay.
Defending champion Manchester City was in for a tough fight against English giants Chelsea in the 2022-23 English Premier League (EPL) at Stamford Bridge in London on Thursday. However, it managed to maintain its composure, winning 1-0, thanks to Riyad Mahrez's 63rd-minute strike, with Jack Grealish's assist. But, it was defender Rico Lewis who grabbed head coach Pep Guardiola's attention for his refined gameplay that opened the doors for a Cityzens' win. While City struggled at half-time, after the English defender's introduction in the second half, the side came up with a more stable performance.
9 - Since he joined Man City in 2018, Riyad Mahrez has scored more Premier League goals as a substitute than any other player (9). He scored his goal, assisted by Jack Grealish, just 3 minutes and 43 seconds after both players had been subbed on. Impact. pic.twitter.com/RL80MCKI8W
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe)Articulating to Sky Sports, Guardiola said, "In the last games, Rico can make his teammates play better. Some players play for themselves well, but [Lewis] can make the whole team play better because he knows exactly what he has to do with every movement he does. He's playing the level he was playing against Chelsea in the EFL Cup, against Leeds, and Liverpool. He changed the game."
4 - Manchester City are only the second side ever to win four consecutive meetings with Chelsea in all competitions while also keeping a clean sheet each time, after Bolton Wanderers from 1958 to 1960. Asserted. pic.twitter.com/eef6Fq71lh
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe)Guardiola also heaped praise on fellow defender John Stones and communicated, "He played extraordinarily in the World Cup. He can adapt perfectly in the build-up with three [at the back], [playing] wider. He has the calmness, the composure. He is playing at the best level, maybe for the first time in seven years since we arrived. When he is stable here [pointing to his head], he is a fantastic player when his mood is good."
1 - Against Chelsea, John Stones had the most touches of any player (102), completed 98% of his passes (85/87), won all of his aerial duels (4/4), and made the most clearances of any Manchester City player (4). Rock. pic.twitter.com/cicnzkkvLV
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe)As City is placed second, five points behind leader Arsenal, Guardiola credited the Gunners and said, "Well, it could have been seven points, or ten or eight, but now the gap is five points. We have to look at ourselves, but I must admit that the way they play, Arsenal deserve to be there. It's not just about the points, the way they are playing. Even when they lost against [Manchester] United and drew with Newcastle, their quality and level are so good."