Chelsea hand Manchester City first Premier League loss of season

Goals on both sides of half-time gave Chelsea a 2-0 win over Manchester City in Premier League action on Saturday night.

The loss at Stamford Bridge knocked previously undefeated City down into second place in the standings, behind Liverpool. With the win, Chelsea rebounded from a midweek loss to Wolves and move into fourth place. 

City started the night and dominated possession throughout the opening minutes of the first half, missing out on a chance in the ninth minute to grab an early lead when Raheem Sterling's close-range strike was handled by Chelsea keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga.

Chelsea relied on solid defending to break up wave after wave of City's early attacks. Leroy Sane gave the visitors another opportunity in the 33rd minute when he got past Kepa on a throughball, only to have his shot deflected. 

The home side finally settled in, and broke the stalemate in the 44th minute when Eden Hazard played a ball in the penalty area back to N'Golo Kante for an emphatic strike to the roof of the net. 

Chelsea came out the of the break riding the momentum from Kante's goal, with several early attempts to keep City on their back heels. 

City were able to earn a free kick in the 57th minute just left of the 18-yard box on Hazard's hand ball, but Kyle Walker's shot was aptly pushed away. 

Chelsea doubled their lead in the 76th minute with David Luiz's header off a Hazard's corner kick that looped over City goalkeeper Ederson. 

Ross Barkley's header from Pedro's cross in the 86th minute would have given Chelsea a shock third goal, but landed off target.