Chelsea threaten Man City's dominance

Manchester City have strolled past opponents like Liverpool, bullied others like Crystal Palace and Watford, while cajoling Bournemouth and Brighton, scoring 21 goals, conceding just two in the process. It's been that effortless for them.

The plain sailing however has come to an end as they travel to London; Stamford Bridge where reigning champions Chelsea - only three points behind - are waiting to test their mettle and resolve. Antonio Conte's last home task against Arsenal proved arduous as he failed to crack down a well drilled side whose tactical shape seemingly took him by surprise.

The difference could be that the Arsenal fixture is a derby which Arsene Wenger's side has recently dominated after coming out on top in both the 2017 Community Shield and 2016-17 FA cup final.

City could not have asked for a better time to take on Chelsea who beat them (3-1) at home and (2-1) away last season on their way to the title. The champions have already lost to Burnley and are still finding goals hard to come by, despite their 4-0 away win over Stoke City last weekend.

They will be without hard man, David Luiz, but they welcome back star man Eden Hazard who was man-of-of the match against Atletico Madrid on Wednesday in the Champions League on the way to their 2-1 away win.

Pep Guardiola - whose side has scored 24 goals and conceded just once in all competitions in the last six matches - has not yet encountered anything like new signing Alvaro Morata. The Spanish international is on a free scoring run; six goals already in the league and also on the score sheet against Atletico on Wednesday.

Diego Costa who led the scorers chart last season is now a distant memory. City will however be buoyed by their new found mentality which is a distaste for failure and a purpose to win every game. They have also removed the dependency on individuals by creating a competitiveness within the squad that is pushing their stars to reach their limits.

Sergio Aguero, their super goal poacher with six goals already, is no longer the only guarantee for goals. Raheem Sterling (5), Gabriel Jesus (4) and Leroy Sane (3) have emerged as a very reliable supporting cast who present the opposition with a unique problem.

Both Sterling and Sane are not regular starters which makes it difficult for opponents to prepare for. It also means that Guardiola is able to change formation and shape of the team during matches especially when visiting.

Yet, his greatest strengths is not even the scoring but the depth of creativity within his team. Leading assists provider David Silva, with, finds good company in Kevin De Bruyne (3), Aguero (3), Sane (2) and Kyle Walker (2).  They create goals from all corners and are clinical enough to make the chances count.

Chelsea's tenacity is in midfield where N'Golo Kante, Victor Moses, Willian, Cesc Fabregas and Alonso usually make it difficult for teams that play a free style to maintain their fluidity. And in Cesar Azpilicueta, they have a hidden weapon which disguises as defence yet his right wing back role - so often allowing him to catch opposing defences on the blind side - has seen him emerge as the teams highest assists provider with four.

The strength of Chelsea's right midfield; notably with Moses and Fabregas combining with Azpilicueta should warrant concern to City. Their most dangerous attacking  forays are usually instigated on the left with Benjamin Mendy; perhaps the best attacking left full back in the league at the moment combining with Silva, Sane and De Bruyne.

At stake for City is their unbeaten six-game run which they will be seeking to maintain in order not to give up the initiative for the table leadership to city rivals United. They have an easier fixture with winless Crystal Palace who sit at the bottom of the table.

Chelsea will however want to add City's scalp to Tottenham Hot Spurs whom they beat 2-1 away. The three occupied the top positions in the league last season and results in these head-to-head fixtures are important psychologically.

The bigger examination however will be on City whose defence last season was their biggest weakness and the reason why they capitulated terribly but who have turned it into a strength this season. They are not conceding in both the league and champions league which has given them stability and confidence to approach every game with calmness.

Chelsea are yet to attain the high standards they set for themselves last season but with Hazard back and on form, Morata enjoying himself, Pedro always lurking in the dark and Alonso threatening with his left boot, this could be anybody's game.