The United States international, who joined the English club from Columbus Crew in 2019 before spending a year on loan at German side Fortuna Dusseldorf, becomes the eighth American goalkeeper to play in the English top-flight.
Steffen replaces Ederson in the team, with the Brazilian goalkeeper left out of the squad while 35-year-old Scott Carson takes a place on the bench as backup shot stopper.
8 - Manchester City s Zack Steffen will be the eighth American goalkeeper to start a Premier League game, and first since Brad Guzan in May 2017. Mint. pic.twitter.com/x1FhYVOx1S OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) January 3, 2021
Ferran Torres, Aymeric Laporte, Fernandinho and Nathan Ake have all been left out of squad as well, while striker Gabriel Jesus, Kyle Walker and Eric Garcia are all in isolation after testing positive for Covid-19.
He told
Sky Sports: Bit bizarre in the beginning, I ve done it a few times in my career obviously we have a lot of forwards out and the coach asked me to do this job, so I tried my best to do it as good as possible.
De Bruyne added: I think after five or 10 minutes we found our rhythm - the beginning was a bit lacking and I was in a bit of a different role today but after that we played very well. We took our chances at the right time and defensively were solid for 90 minutes. It s a shame we conceded that goal in the last minute.
Updated: January 3, 2021, 6:52 pm
Manchester City were too good for Chelsea at Stamford Bridge (Shaun Botterill/PA)
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Ilkay Gundogan, Phil Foden and Kevin De Bruyne all struck in the first half as Manchester City thumped Chelsea 3-1 at Stamford Bridge to heap pressure on Frank Lampard.
City shook off a clutch of positive coronavirus cases and Benjamin Mendy’s breach of social-distancing protocols to stun the Blues with three first-half goals inside the first 35 minutes in west London.
Frank Lampard: How much pressure is Chelsea boss under after latest defeat?
By Phil McNultyChief football writer
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Chelsea have suffered as many defeats in their past six Premier League games as they did in the preceding 23 matches
The sight of Chelsea s marquee summer signing Timo Werner crumpling feebly to the floor after kicking the flag instead of the ball while taking a corner summed up one of the most wretched days Frank Lampard has endured as Chelsea manager.
It was of no significance to the outcome, coming two minutes from the end of this magnificent Manchester City procession with Pep Guardiola s side leading 3-0.
Covid-hit Man City still too good for Chelsea London (AFP) – Manchester City brushed off a series of coronavirus-related absences to outclass Chelsea 3-1 at Stamford Bridge on Sunday and reassert their Premier League title challenge.
Pep Guardiola’s men had scored more than twice in a league game just once since their opening match of the season, but were 3-0 up by half-time thanks to goals from Ilkay Gundogan, Phil Foden and Kevin De Bruyne.
Victory lifts City to within four points of Liverpool and Manchester United at the top of the table, but with a game in hand on both to come.