Chelsea stops Man City to delay EPL title party

MANCHESTER: Chelsea forced Manchester City to put its Premier League title party on hold on Saturday (Sunday in Manila), winning 2-1 to boost its own chances of a top-four finish in a dress rehearsal for the Champions League final.

Raheem Sterling gave the home side the lead just before halftime at an empty Etihad Stadium.

Sergio Aguero then missed an attempted Panenka penalty for City before Hakim Ziyech levelled and Marcos Alonso bundled in the winner in the dying seconds.

City could be crowned champions before they play again. Second-placed Manchester United face three matches before Pep Guardiola’s men are next in action against Newcastle on Friday.

The three points lift Chelsea into third spot, six clear of fifthplaced West Ham with just three games to go.

Thomas Tuchel’s in-form team ended City’s dreams of a historic quadruple by beating them in the FA Cup semifinal last month and they once more proved tricky opponents.

City, which has a huge 13-point advantage over second-placed Manchester United, is certain to win their third Premier League title in four years but must now wait for it to be confirmed.

Guardiola made nine changes from the side that saw off Paris Saint-Germain in the second leg of the Champions League semifinal in midweek, with Ederson and Ruben Dias the only players to keep their places.

Chelsea made five changes following their triumph over Real Madrid.