Chelsea 2-1 Manchester City - Match Report
Manchester City crashed to their first defeat of the season as they went down 2-1 to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. It wasnt the prettiest of performances from Andre Villas-Boass men, but a goal from Raul Meireles and a penalty from Frank Lampard on his 350th Premier League appearance for the blues ensured the three points, after Mario Balotelli had put the visitors ahead less than two minutes in. Gael Clichy was sent off for a second bookable offence in the second half, which contributed largely to Roberto Mancini's side surrendering their unbeaten record. Its not too often that two of the biggest clubs in the country face off on a Monday night, but it was the case this evening as Chelsea once by far the richest club in England and sitting 5th in the table, hosted Manchester City. The Sky Blues spending in the last two years or so have made Roman Abramovichs splurges look like Christmas shopping in Primark, though perhaps the ridiculously overpriced Fernando Torres is more of a Topman purchase. Sergio Aguero is therefore an H&M purchase a steal at a mere £35 million, and infinitely more effective. There is one thing the Blues have that the Sky Blues want though a Champions League place, though if anything this was only going to spur City on to perform better, they could extend their lead at the top to five points with a win. So, Didier Drogba back on form, he was seen rallying the troops ahead of the clash. One forced change for Andre Villas-Boas, and a very welcome one depending on who you ask David Luiz was suspended so Branislav Ivanovic stepped into the heart of defence. A familiar 4-3-3 formation saw Drogba supported by Daniel Sturridge and Juan Mata, and Oriel Romeu occupied the central position of a three man midfield. The visitors matched their oppositions 4-3-3, and started with a formidable strike force of David Silva, Mario Balotelli and Sergio Aguero. Micah Richards missed out with a calf injury, so Pablo Zabaleta started in right back. It didnt take long for the league leaders to put themselves ahead. Aguero held it up amidst a sea of blue shirts, drawing John Terry out of central defence before playing a perfect through ball to Mario Balotelli with the outside of his foot. The irrepressible Italian calmly skipped past Petr Cech, left a hapless Branislav Ivanovic on his backside, and slotted into the empty net. Less than two minutes on the clock, why always him? Raul Meireles was looking the most likely to get Chelsea back into the game, his shot took a wild deflection before dipping over the bar, and he was at the heart of all of the Blues half-baked attacking moves. Sergio Aguero was inches away from doubling Citys lead. Romeus awful attempt at a clearance set the Argentinean striker away, and he used remarkable strength to send Jose Bosingwa flying before cutting it just wide of the near post. Cech was beaten; it was surely only a matter of time until the Sky Blues got a second. Bosingwas next contribution was to kick at the shins of David Silva as he burst into the box, but Mark Clattenburg waved play on, a justifiable penalty shout. Chelsea were trying to mirror the visitors slick, passing football but were coming up a little short. In trying to play it out from the back they came dangerously close to losing it on a number of occasions, and resorted to hoofing it upfield in the end. Didier Drogba came close to levelling the scores as he managed to get away a side footed effort through a forest of Blue shorts-wearing legs. It looked like it might sneak in at the near post, but Joe Hart was alert to it impressive considering just how little hed had to do thus far. He returned to his state of relaxed stupor shortly thereafter. From the obscurity of a game fast turning mediocre, Raul Meireles struck. Daniel Sturridge did brilliantly to get past Gael Clichy, before getting away a low cross that was easily fired home by the former Liverpool man from just outside the six yard box. The Portuguese midfielder celebrated shortly afterwards with a reckless challenge on Pablo Zabaleta for which Clattenburg took out his yellow card. Yaya Toure could easily have been dismissed. He kicked Juan Mata when the Spaniard was down. Granted, it was a tap but Referees dont tend to like anything that could be conceived as a kick. As if this wasnt enough, the Ivorian than slapped Mata quite forcefully round the face. To the wingers credit, he got on with the game. So, a perfectly poised half of football. The Sky Blues started by far the better team, but despite not playing particularly well Chelsea had managed to get themselves back into it and now it was anyones game. HALF TIMEVincent Kompany was very fortunate not to be dismissed ten minutes into the second half. Already on a booking, he mistimed a reckless lunge on Juan Mata (again) and went straight through the Spaniard. Mark Clattenburg awarded a free kick but no card he was having a pretty poor game. It was Gael Clichy who was given his marching orders though. Around the hour mark he was late in the challenge on Ramires who did well to get to the ball first. A second yellow for the Frenchman, and big trouble for Man City, their unbeaten record was in jeopardy. Sergio Aguero was replaced by Kolo Toure in an attempt to sure up the back four. With this the hosts began to throw everything at City, its been a while since anyones seen the Sky Blues under so much pressure. Roberto Mancini decided it was time to sacrifice creativity for lots of kicking and brought David Silva off for Nigel de Jong. It was the first away appearance of the season for the Dutchman. Considering the man advantage, Joe Hart had had practically nothing to do. He had to stoop down to gather up a pathetic Ramires shot, but that was about it. It really had been a poor second half. That was until the 82nd minute when Daniel Sturridges curling effort was blocked by the arm of Joleon Lescott. A good decision from Clattenburg it was a clear handball. Frank Lampard, on his 350th Premier League start for Chelsea stepped up to take it, and lashed it straight down the middle of the goal, sending Hart the wrong way in the process. Manchester City losing a rare sight indeed. The problem for Mancini now was that hed sacrificed a lot of his attack to try and hold out for a draw. Edin Dzeko was brought on for Lescott not a huge confidence boost for the man whod given away the penalty. Chelsea pretty much controlled the game from that point, and made sure of the three points an absolutely massive result for the Blues. Referee: Mark Clattenburg Chelsea (4-3-3): Cech, Bosingwa, Ivanovic, Terry, Cole, Ramires, Romeu, Meireles (Lampard, 73) Mata (Malouda, 84), Drogba, Sturridge (Mikel, 88) Manchester City (4-3-3): Hart, Zabaleta, Kompany, Lescott (Dzeko, 86), Clichy, Milner, Barry, Yaya Toure, Aguero (Kolo Toure, 64), Balotelli, Silva (De Jong, 75)