- Marc Guehi rejected his Player of the Match following the 3-0 win over Chelsea.
- City cut Arsenal’s lead to six points after the Gunners’ defeat to Bournemouth.
- Next Sunday sees a ‘title decider’ at the Etihad, as City host Mikel Arteta’s league leaders.
Manchester City’s Player of the Match award issued to them by the Premier League saw a late change to the recipient, decided upon by the players themselves.
Pep Guardiola’s side secured a vital three points on Sunday afternoon, dismantling Liam Rosenior’s Chelsea 0-3 in a performance that signalled Manchester City’s intent for the final stretch of the season.
Following Arsenal’s home defeat to Bournemouth, the victory moved the Citizens to within just six points of the summit with a game in hand after a contest defined by a clinical second half where City turned possession into a flurry of goals.
Despite a frustrating opening 45 minutes that saw Marc Cucurella have a goal ruled out, City emerged with renewed vigour as the breakthrough arrived via Nico O’Reilly, before Marc Guehi doubled the lead, followed by a Jeremy Doku strike to put the game beyond doubt.
Match Report & Player Ratings: Chelsea 0-3 Manchester City (Premier League)
Why Guehi refused a post-match individual honour
Speaking with Sky Sports after the contest at Stamford Bridge, Rayan Cherki was told to present Marc Guehi with the Player of the Match award, after a stellar showing from the England international defender.
However, as the pair left their on-field interview, Guehi was seen speaking to Cherki, telling the Frenchman, “You were Man of the Match”, before handing the midfielder the award after his two assists and match-winning showing in London.
The statistics perhaps backed Guehi’s humble assessment, with Rayan Cherki the creative heartbeat of the Manchester City side, providing an inch-perfect delivery for O’Reilly’s header and slipping the pass through for Guehi’s goal.
The young Frenchman, who has become a focal point of Manchester City’s attack since his arrival and particularly in the last few weeks, finished the match with a 90% passing accuracy and two big chances created.
How the 3-0 win changes the hunt for Arsenal
Looking ahead, the victory at Stamford Bridge now sets up a monumental ‘winner-takes-all’ showdown against Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday, 19 April.
Should City win their game in hand and defeat the Gunners, they will be in the driving seat to secure another Premier League title, while the unity shown by Guehi and Cherki suggests a squad in perfect harmony as they enter the most high-stakes week of the 2025/26 campaign.
