Manchester City Draw First Blood in Premier League Title RaceManchester City Draw First Blood in Premier League Title Race Manchester City fired the first salvo in the Premier League title race with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. The defending champions showed their mettle in a tight and tactical affair, snatching all three points thanks to a second-half goal from Kevin De Bruyne. The match was a cagey affair from the outset, with both sides struggling to find their rhythm. Chelsea had the better of the possession in the first half but failed to create any clear-cut chances. City, on the other hand, looked dangerous on the counter-attack but lacked the killer instinct to capitalize on their opportunities. The second half witnessed a more open game, with both teams pushing for a goal. City finally broke the deadlock in the 67th minute when De Bruyne, who had been largely anonymous until that point, unleashed a stunning shot from the edge of the box that flew into the top corner. Chelsea responded valiantly and pushed for an equalizer, but City’s defense held firm. The Blues had a great chance to level the score in the dying minutes when substitute Kai Havertz found himself through on goal, but his shot was brilliantly saved by Ederson. The win puts City at the top of the Premier League table, one point ahead of Arsenal and two points ahead of defending champions Liverpool. It is still early days in the title race, but City have sent out a clear message that they are the team to beat. Kevin De Bruyne was the match-winner for City once again, proving why he is one of the best midfielders in the world. His goal was a moment of pure brilliance and a timely reminder of his importance to the team. For Chelsea, it was a disappointing result but not a disaster. They played well for large parts of the game and were unlucky not to come away with at least a point. The Blues will need to bounce back quickly with a tough match against Tottenham Hotspur coming up next weekend. The Premier League title race is shaping up to be a thrilling one, with several teams in contention. Manchester City have drawn first blood, but there is still a long way to go and anything can happen.