Something so simple was crucial to Manchester City’s win over Chelsea | OneFootball

Manchester City put in one of their best performances for the season during their 3-1 win over Chelsea at the Etihad Stadium yesterday. After a nervy opening 10 minutes Pep Guardiola’s side played with the control and poise in possession we are used to seeing from them. But another weapon helped City pick up all three points yesterday. It was the simple long ball from Ederson and it was crucial to City’s win over Chelsea.

Erling Haaland and Phil Foden both scored in the second half of yesterday’s match. Their goals gave Pep Guardiola’s side all three points yesterday. But how the goals were constructed came from such a simple piece of play. They weren’t the product of a flowing City passing move or anything like that. Two long balls from Ederson were key to Manchester City unlocking Chelsea’s defence. But both were quality goals and helped City pick up a huge win.

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For Erling Haaland’s goal, it was a beautiful long ball from Ederson that undid Chelsea’s defence and exploited their high defensive line. Haaland latched onto his own header to neatly finish over the stranded Robert Sanchez. It was Ederson’s long ball that undid the Chelsea defence. Erling Haaland’s brilliance did the rest.

The long ball would also set up Manchester City’s game-sealing goal in the 87th minute. Again a long ball from Ederson was key. His ball was headed on by Kevin De Bruyne to Erling Haaland. A superb piece of control and a sublime ball from Haaland played in Phil Foden and the game was over. Again it was a simple move that decided the game.

Ederson’s ability to play a quality long ball is well known. It is a key part of his game. Yesterday that ability helped Manchester City pick up a crucial win over Chelsea. Not all teams play a high defensive line against Manchester City like Chelsea did yesterday. Based on how devastating the simple long ball was yesterday you can see why. Something so simple helped City pick up all three points yesterday. It was great to see and the long ball with Haaland’s pace and power at the end of it is a weapon that City always have in their arsenal. It used to devastating effect yesterday and helped decide the match.