Manchester City earned a 3-1 comeback win over Chelsea at Etihad Stadium on Saturday to go back into the top four in the Premier League.
New signing Abdukodir Khusanov had a disastrous start to his City career, gifting Chelsea the opener in the third minute, but goals from Josko Gvardiol, Erling Haaland and Phil Foden spared him as Pep Guardiola’s team bounced back from their harrowing Champions League defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in midweek.
City are fourth in the league on 41 points, while Chelsea now sit sixth on 40, with Newcastle United between the two teams.
Khusanov, signed this week from French side Lens, left his header back to Ederson short, which allowed Nicolas Jackson to steal the ball and square it for Noni Madueke to put Chelsea in front.
A minute later, the Uzbekistan international was booked for a challenge on Cole Palmer, and after struggling to find his feet in English football he was eventually replaced early in the second half by John Stones.
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Fellow new signing Omar Marmoush fared better up front as he too made his debut. The Egypt striker caused plenty of trouble for the Chelsea back line in the opening 45 minutes, and his industry up front helped peg the visitors back.
City struck back with defender Gvardiol levelling three minutes before half-time as he reacted quickest to slot home a rebound.
Haaland then put the hosts in front after 68 minutes with an impudent chip that took advantage of some suspect positioning from Robert Sánchez in the Chelsea goal.
Foden’s breakaway goal, which came after more good work from Haaland in the 87th minute, wrapped up the three points to give City a positive end to a chastening week ahead of their must-win Champions League clash with Club Brugge on Wednesday.
“When we had the start like we did it is difficult, but we played really well and we kept on going and kept on going,” Haaland told the BBC.
“We kept pushing, and second half was the same. In the end it is what we need to do. We need to lock it in the back and keep going attacking-wise.”
Pep Guardiola declined to criticise Khusanov despite the defender’s rocky start.
“The players were together. That was massively important. Any player can make a mistake. The fans always support the new players. He’s so young. He will learn,” Guardiola said.