Manchester City ran out comfortable 1-0 victors against Chelsea at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday courtesy of Bernardo Silva’s strike.

The Citizens dominated proceedings from the first whistle and seemed content with their keeping possession with their slender one-goal lead.

Pep Guardiola’s side thoroughly outclassed the reigning Premier League champions who looked toothless with their false-nine tactic.

Leroy Sane proved a handful for the visitors in the first-half, threatening with his pace and trickery. City enjoyed the better of the chances in the first stanza, but failed to break down a resolute Chelsea defence, with the goal appearing to be imminent.

Cesar Azpilicueta cleared Sane’s effort off the line in the 31st minute after a neat interchange with Kevin De Bruyne.

City were rewarded for their continuous attacking efforts seconds after the restart of the second-half as Bernardo Silva got onto the end of Sane’s ball into the area to give his side the lead.

Chelsea failed to muster any resistance to City’s dominance and could only bare witness to Guardiola’s teams superiority.

The Blues looked poorer as the final whistle approached and could not threaten City’s goal frame despite Antonio Conte brining on Emerson, Olivier Giroud and Alvaro Morata.

Content with his team’s stranglehold on the game, Guardiola introduced Danilo, Gabriel Jesus and Phil Foden as his side ran out 1-0 victors to edge close to clinching the Premier League title.

Photo: Premier League website

-This story originally appeared on SportsClub.co.za