Manchester City v Chelsea player ratings: De Bruyne 8, Foden 7; Rudiger 8, Lukaku 5

Premier League champions win 1-0 at Etihad to open up 13-point lead at the top of the standings

MANCHESTER CITY PLAYER RATINGS: Ederson – 7. Rarely called into action but pulled off a strong save to deny Lukaku early in the second half. Getty Images

Kyle Walker – 7. A solid display from the England full-back who carried out his defensive duties and offered another outlet on the right flank. EPA

Joao Cancelo – 7. Played a lovely pass to De Bruyne to set up City’s opener and was solid in defence and helped keep Pulisic quiet. EPA

Aymeric Laporte – 7. Marshalled his defence well to help limit Chelsea to just one shot on target. Produced a point-blank block on Werner soon after De Bruyne’s goal. EPA

John Stones – 7. Slotted in seamlessly on just his seventh league start of the season, helping Laporte to nullify Lukaku’s threat. EPA

Rodri – 7. Spaniard had a comfortable outing in the anchor role as City dominated possession and seemed to outnumber the Chelsea midfield. EPA

Bernardo Silva – 7. A trademark all-action display from the Portugal international, and while he may not have dominated the game, there were a few flicks and touches that displayed his class. Reuters

Kevin De Bruyne – 8. Broke the deadlock with an absolute worldie, curling a shot from outside the area and leaving Kepa no chance. His fifth goal against Chelsea to deepen the regret his former club must be feeling for letting him leave. AFP

Phil Foden – 7. Lively all afternoon, drifting across the attacking line as City continue to operate with a fluid front three. Snatched at a chance to make it 2-0. Getty Images

Raheem Sterling – 8. Posed a constant threat and bullied Alonso all game. The England forward, recently named Premier League player of the month, continues his fine form. EPA

Jack Grealish – 6. The least dangerous of City’s front three, the £100m man had a couple of decent chances to score but was unable to convert. PA

SUBS: Ilkay Gundogan (On for De Bruyne 85’) – N/A. Brought on to provide fresh legs in the final few minutes. AP

Gabriel Jesus (On for Foden 88’) – N/A. Reuters

CHELSEA PLAYER RATINGS: Kepa Arrizabalaga – 7. Produced a big save with his leg to deflect a Grealish effort wide in the first half but had no hope with De Bruyne’s goal. The Spaniard is looking more assured these days. PA

Malang Sarr – 7. Good performance from the Frenchman who had to deal with his share of attacks thanks to his flank being regularly targeted by City. Getty Images

Antonio Rudiger – 8. Read the game superbly – cutting off City attacks, sticking in challenges, and intercepting crosses. Chelsea really need him to sign a new deal. PA

Thiago Silva – 6. Usually the epitome of composure, the Brazilian never quite looked at his comfortable best at the Etihad. Probably could have closed De Bruyne down sooner for the Belgian's goal. EPA

Cesar Azipilicueta – 6. Had his hands full against City’s attack and had few chances to venture forward. On the rare occasion he did, his crossing only found City heads. Reuters

Marcos Alonso – 5. Run ragged by Sterling during the first half and never looked comfortable defensively. Had few chances to get forward, with City controlling so much of the ball. Subbed for last 10 minutes. AP

N’Golo Kante – 6. The Frenchman’s positioning, tackling, and energy were vital to Chelsea containing City for much of the match, but he was too easily shrugged off by De Bruyne for the goal. AP

Mateo Kovacic – 7. Once again the pick of the Chelsea midfielders, the Croatian was the most likely to make something happen – if only his team had more of the ball. Reuters

Hakim Ziyech – 5. Rarely got on the ball and provided little threat in attack. Replaced in a double substitution with Pulisic. Reuters

Christian Pulisic – 5. An anonymous display from the American forward as City dominated possession. Swapped with just over 20 minutes to play. Getty Images

Romelu Lukaku – 5. Starved of service in the first half but had a great chance early in the second, which Ederson palmed away. Kept quiet for most of the game Getty Images

SUBS: Timo Werner (On for Pulisic 69’) – 6. Had a good chance to pull Chelsea level swiftly after conceding but shot straight at Laporte. Reuters

Callum Hudson-Odoi (On for Ziyech 69’) – 5. Opened up space on the left wing but was too wasteful in his final delivery. Reuters

Mason Mount (On for Alonso 81’) – N/A. Not given enough time to effect the game. EPA

Manchester City took a major step towards retaining their Premier League title with a 1-0 win over second-placed Chelsea on Saturday, opening up a 13-point lead at the top of the table.

Kevin De Bruyne's 70th-minute strike means that City have 56 points from 22 matches with Chelsea on 43 points. Third-placed Liverpool, who have two games in hand, including Sunday's match at home to Brentford, are on 42 points.

City extended their winning run in the league to 12 games, and deservedly so after another display of their controlled possession football. But it was a disappointing effort from a Chelsea side who rarely threatened, displayed scant ambition and little reaction after De Bruyne's goal.

Chances were hard to come by in the opening 45 minutes with the best falling to Jack Grealish, after De Bruyne robbed Mateo Kovacic on the edge of the box, but Chelsea keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga did well to keep out the midfielder's effort.

Chelsea's best effort had come early in the second half when Kovacic fed Romelu Lukaku, but City keeper Ederson rushed out quickly to make a fine save.

It was a fine solo goal from De Bruyne which settled the outcome, the Belgian riding a challenge from N'golo Kante before beating Arrizabalaga with a curling shot into the far corner.

Phil Foden could have added a second for City six minutes from the end, but his shot from a promising position was high and wide.

Chelsea beat City in last season's Champions League final, but City have completed the double over the London side in the Premier League this season, having won 1-0 at Stamford Bridge in September.

Assessing the performances at the Etihad, Jon Turner has proved his player ratings in the photo gallery above. To move on to the next photo, click on the arrows or if using a mobile device, simply swipe.