Both sides had chances early on but it was the visitors who took the lead on 21 minutes when N’Golo Kante latched on to a through-ball from Mateo Kovacic and just about squirmed a shot beyond the onrushing Ederson.
City did not take long to respond although there was an element of fortune about Kevin De Bruyne’s equaliser as his strike took a wicked deflection of Kurt Zouma that gave goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga no chance.
Riyad Mahrez then struck what proved to be the winning goal on 37 minutes as he weaved his way in from the right-hand side before slotting the ball into the corner of the net.
City could have had a third before the break but Sergio Aguero could only strike the ball against the crossbar after latching on to a poor clearance from Kepa.
The second half was a slightly cagier affair, with City keeping Chelsea at arm’s length, although Kante had a goal-bound effort blocked away by Fernandinho, while a Willian volley brought the best out of Ederson.
Mason Mount then saw a free-kick whistle just beyond the post but it was City who came closest to adding to the scoreline in stoppage-time, but Raheem Sterling’s effort was ruled out by VAR for the narrowest of offsides.
City have now leapfrogged Chelsea in the standings but remain nine points behind leaders Liverpool.
Manchester City 2-1 Chelsea
Both sides had chances early on but it was the visitors who took the lead on 21 minutes when N’Golo Kante latched on to a through-ball from Mateo Kovacic and just about squirmed a shot beyond the onrushing Ederson.
City did not take long to respond although there was an element of fortune about Kevin De Bruyne’s equaliser as his strike took a wicked deflection of Kurt Zouma that gave goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga no chance.
Riyad Mahrez then struck what proved to be the winning goal on 37 minutes as he weaved his way in from the right-hand side before slotting the ball into the corner of the net.
City could have had a third before the break but Sergio Aguero could only strike the ball against the crossbar after latching on to a poor clearance from Kepa.
The second half was a slightly cagier affair, with City keeping Chelsea at arm’s length, although Kante had a goal-bound effort blocked away by Fernandinho, while a Willian volley brought the best out of Ederson.
Mason Mount then saw a free-kick whistle just beyond the post but it was City who came closest to adding to the scoreline in stoppage-time, but Raheem Sterling’s effort was ruled out by VAR for the narrowest of offsides.
City have now leapfrogged Chelsea in the standings but remain nine points behind leaders Liverpool.