Kevin de Bruyne's magnificent second-half strike earned Premier League leaders Manchester City victory over second-placed Chelsea at Etihad Stadium.

De Bruyne sent a superb curling effort past Kepa Arrizabalaga to lift City 13 points clear of Thomas Tuchel's side.

Kepa prevented Jack Grealish from giving City a deserved lead late in the first half.

Romelu Lukaku was denied by Ederson in Chelsea's best chance.

De Bruyne said afterwards, "It was a big game and they came here with a good plan, they were tight defensively but we played a good game. Its nice to to score, it was important as it was the only one. We knew if we won we would make the gap bigger.

"We have been in this situation before, things can change and momentum can change. The team was focused on what we could do today.

"I got away from N'Golo Kante at the right time, I was looking at the space and they were dropping off, I found the angle and it worked perfectly.

"It's always difficult against them they are tight defensively, know what they are doing and you have to be patient. We played the game we needed to play and did what we had to do.

"They (Chelsea) need to be almost perfect, there is another team dangling there, so we need to keep momentum and win each game by game."