Football News: Riyad Mahrez nets winner as Manchester City overcome Chelsea

With a 1-0 victory over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, Manchester City pulled to within five points of Premier League leaders Arsenal. The only goal of the game was scored by substitute Riyad Mahrez, who converted a cross from Jack Grealish in the 63rd minute.

Second-placed Man City have closed the gap on Arsenal to five points, while Chelsea are still in last position and is 10 points behind Manchester United in fourth place with the same number of games played (17).

On Sunday afternoon, the two teams will square off once more when Pep Guardiola's team hosts the Blues in the FA Cup's third round.

In the fifth minute of the game, Chelsea was forced to make a substitution. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang came on for the injured Raheem Sterling, who was unable to face his former team and maybe shine.

When Kai Havertz teed up Christian Pulisic inside the Man City box in the 16th minute, the hosts had their first half-chance of the game, but John Stones was across to make a superb challenge.

In the 22nd minute, Chelsea was forced to make a second replacement when Carney Chukwuemeka took the place of the injured Pulisic, but the home team continued to have the best chance of scoring.

Soon after coming on, Chukwuemeka had an opportunity after Havertz found the young player inside the Man City area, but the midfielder was stopped by a last-ditch block from Stones.

In the 32nd minute, with Man City having greater possession of the ball but struggling to create clear openings, Ilkay Gundogan shot wide of the Chelsea goal.

The first time Erling Braut Haaland saw the Chelsea goal was in the 37th minute, but the pressured Norwegian international could only nudge the ball over the crossbar.

In the 43rd minute, the energetic Chukwuemeka of the home team attempted to score but his shot hit the post after deflecting off the woodwork as he worked his way to the outside of the box.

In a tense final minute of the first half, Kevin De Bruyne had a shot deflected behind for a corner, but the score remained 0-0 at the break.

At halftime, Man City made two substitutions, replacing Kyle Walker and Joao Cancelo with Manuel Akanji and Rico Lewis.

Early in the second half, after an intercepted loose pass from Aubameyang, Haaland had a half-chance, but the striker's effort was deflected wide of the post.

Following a superb cross from De Bruyne, Nathan Ake headed well wide of the crossbar. Then, Kepa Arrizabalaga had to save the Belgian international's low shot from Man City, who had significantly improved by the start of the second half.

In the 56th minute, following a brief spell of panic within the Man City box, Chelsea had a tremendous opportunity of their own, but Thiago Silva could only shoot wide of the goal from inside the box.

Just before the hour mark, De Bruyne missed a chance to score against Chelsea after both teams had opportunities.

In the 63rd minute of the game, Man City finally broke through thanks to a superb low cross from Grealish that was met by Mahrez,who could not resist taking advantage of the opportunity to put his team ahead.

In the 68th minute, Omari Hutchinson, Lewis Hall, and Conor Gallagher entered the pitch to replace Aubameyang, who had been a first-half substitute.

In the 73rd minute, De Bruyne sent in a low cross that Haaland almost missed connecting with. The following spell saw the home team challenge the champs, with Gallagher's exuberant performance energising the crowd.

After being released into a dangerous situation in the second half, Hall had a wonderful opportunity to equalise for Chelsea,but the youngster missed the crossbar as Man City won a crucial three points in London.

The following Premier League match for Chelsea will take place on January 12 against London rival Fulham,while Man City will return to league play on January 14 at Old Trafford against an improved Manchester United.

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