Chelsea 0-1 Manchester City: 5 talking points as Gabriel Jesus sinks the Blues | Premier League 2021-22 

#3 The Premier League table gives an indication of what will unfold this season

Chelsea and Manchester City are level on 13 points

Chelsea and Manchester City are among the favorites to win the Premier League this term. The defending champions have the most talented squad in the league, while the Blues augmented impressively during the last transfer window.

The last few seasons in England's top-flight have been characterized by a runaway leader being crowned with more than a handful of matches to go.

Manchester City and Liverpool have shown remarkable superiority to the rest of the competition. In the process, making a mockery of those who crown the Premier League as the most competitive in the world.

However, this season points to one of the closest title races in recent memory and the early signs suggest that this could be the case come May.

Chelsea came into the game level on points with Liverpool at the summit but their defeat to Manchester City saw them drop into third spot.

Furthermore, Manchester United's shock defeat to Aston Villa at Old Trafford means that the top four teams are all tied on 13 points.

It is highly likely that the top of the table will change before the end of the matchday, with Brighton, Liverpool and Everton all within a victory of steering clear.

However, the major contenders have shown their readiness to go toe-to-toe with one another in the title race this season.

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#2 Chelsea concede a Premier League goal from open play for the first time this season

Chelsea conceded from open play

One of the most remarkable managerial feats of recent times has been Thomas Tuchel's transformation of the Chelsea defense.

Prior to the German tactician's arrival, the Blues struggled to shut out opponents under the management of Frank Lampard.

That has all changed in the last few months of Tuchel's management and Chelsea are now one of the most compact sides on the entire continent.

This defensive solidity was the foundation from which the Stanford Bridge outfit claimed European glory last term. They continued where they left off this season.

Coming into the game against Manchester City, Chelsea had conceded just one goal in their first five league matches. That goal came from the penalty spot against Liverpool.

They had yet to be breached from open play but Gabriel Jesus had other ideas with his well-taken goal in the 53rd minute.

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#1 Manchester City were deserved winners against Chelsea

Manchester City dominated Chelsea from start to finish

Chelsea put up one of their worst displays under Tucchel's management, with perhaps only the remarkable 5-2 defeat to West Brom being worse.

The Blues looked lackluster against Manchester City and familiar problems in attack came to the fore.

The hosts failed to fashion a single shot on target, with Romelu Lukaku cutting a frustrated figure upfront.

Chelsea's poor performance should, however, not take away from Manchester City's dominance and the Cityzens were good value for the win.

They showed their intent from the blast of the first whistle and dominated proceedings from start to finish.

The visitors were more adventurous throughout the game and had more shots, corner kicks, possession, shots on target and passes than their opponents.

Manchester City should have ended the game with a more convincing victory. But they were let down by poor finishing, with 100 million man Jack Grealish the biggest culprit.