Manchester City Extends Premier League Lead with 3-1 Win Over Chelsea

Manchester City strengthened their grip on the Premier League title race with a convincing 3-1 victory over Chelsea at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday evening. Erling Haaland was the star of the show, netting a brilliant brace to help extend City's lead at the top of the table to seven points.

The Norwegian striker opened the scoring in the 23rd minute with a trademark finish, latching onto a perfectly weighted through ball from Kevin De Bruyne before slotting past Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez. Haaland doubled the lead just before halftime, converting from close range after excellent work down the right flank by Phil Foden.

Chelsea responded strongly in the second half, with Enzo Fernandez pulling one back in the 58th minute with a well-struck effort from the edge of the penalty area. The Argentine midfielder's goal gave the visitors hope and injected energy into their performance, but City's experience showed in the crucial moments.

Pep Guardiola's side sealed the victory in the 77th minute when Bernardo Silva finished off a flowing team move that showcased City's trademark passing and movement. The Portuguese midfielder's goal was the culmination of a 14-pass sequence that left Chelsea's defense scrambled and highlighted why City remain the benchmark in English football.

The victory maintains City's perfect record at home this season and sends a strong message to their title rivals Arsenal and Liverpool. With 19 wins from their last 21 Premier League matches, Guardiola's team appears to be hitting top form at the perfect time as the season enters its crucial phase.

Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino acknowledged his team's improved performance but admitted City's quality made the difference. "We competed well for large periods, but you have to be perfect against a team like City," he said. "Small mistakes get punished, and that's what happened tonight." City will look to maintain their momentum when they visit Brighton this weekend, while Chelsea face a crucial home fixture against Newcastle United.