Rayan Cherki matches Premier League assist record in Man City’s 3-0 victory at Chelsea | OneFootball

Manchester City claimed a 3-0 victory at Chelsea in the Premier League on Sunday to keep the pressure on leaders Arsenal.

City are six points adrift of top spot with a game in hand, following the Gunners’ 2-1 home defeat to Bournemouth on Saturday.

Marc Cucurella thought he had given the Blues the lead after he slotted past Gianluigi Donnarumma in the 16th minute, but his effort was ruled offside.

Donnarumma subsequently produced a great save to deny Pedro Neto from breaking the deadlock.

City’s first genuine attempt came after the hour mark when Nico O’Reilly cut the ball back for Bernardo Silva. Robert Sanchez saved his first-time effort.

Antoine Semenyo’s effort deflected behind for a corner as City probed for the opening goal.

City went ahead in the 51st minute, with O’Reilly heading Rayan Cherki’s cross past Sanchez.

Semenyo came close to netting a second for the visitors after running behind, only to be denied by Cucurella’s block.

Marc Guehi doubled the Cityzens’ lead in the 57th minute, slotting home after being set up by Cherki.

Cherki has now registered 10 assists this term, making him the first player to reach that figure in his debut league season since Dimitri Payet in 2015/16.

Chelsea’s first attempt in the second period came after the hour mark when Guehi made a vital block to deny Cole Palmer from getting a shot away.

Jeremy Doku sealed City’s victory, dispossessing Moises Caicedo before advancing into the area where he side-footed into the net.

The result condemned Chelsea to their third straight league defeat, leaving them four points behind fifth-placed Liverpool.