Ederson proves just how important a quality goalkeeper is to Pep Guardiola's grand plan at Manchester City

[TheWild ™]

What a difference it makes for Manchester City to go into these games with a top-level goalkeeper.

Both times last season they played well against Chelsea but were let down by their man in goal. Claudio Bravo was too easily beaten at the Etihad, as City lost 3-1, and here at Stamford Bridge Willy Caballero did not have his best game as City lost 2-1. Both times afterwards Pep Guardiola bemoaned how Chelsea managed to turn all of their chances into goals.

Not this time. With new Brazilian goalkeeper Ederson, City had someone to rely on, helping them to do what they could not last year and shut out Chelsea. He made important saves but just as importantly he dominated the box when Chelsea started to put crosses in. His distribution was as brisk as ever and one sharp first-half throw-out led to Raheem Sterling flashing a cross in from the right after an electric break. And, crucially, he was brave in coming off his line, heading and chesting the ball when he left his own box, even doing so unruffled as City saw out their win at the end. He is clearly not shaken by his nasty collision with Sadio Mane earlier this month.