Match Report: Manchester City 0-1 Chelsea FC

Chelsea triumphed over Manchester City at the Etihad stadium ending the unbeaten record of the home team this season in the premier league. Jose Mourinho has proven who is the top dog between the two titans of the premier league this season. Branslav Ivanovic scored the winner in the 32 minute by volleying a blocked shot from Vincent Kompany to the bottom corner of Hart’s net. Let’s take a look at how the match unfolded…

Starting 11s:

Manchester City: Hart; Zabaleta, Kompany (c), Nastasic, Kolarov; Navas, Demechellis, Toure, Silva; Negredo, Dzeko.

Chelsea FC: Cech; Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry (c), Azpilicueta; Matic, Luiz, Ramires; Hazard, Willian, Eto’o 

Summary:

The match got under way at the Etihad with the referee Mike Dean blowing the starting whistle. Manchester City kicked off and looked to go in for the attack early on and started pressing the back four of Chelsea constantly when we had the ball. David Luiz and Nemanja Matic though were so much in control of the midfield with Yaya Toure restricted from having shots from outside the box as he was used to.

Manchester City’s danger was coming from the wings as Kolarov advanced up the field and laid on dangerous looking crosses only for our back line to deal well with the aerial danger of Dzeko and Negredo. The Spaniard forward wasn’t active in the match as he was expected due to close marking from John terry and Gary Cahill.

Our attacking midfielders were quite dangerous on the break as Willian and Eto’o almost combined to create the opening goal for the Blues. As time went on, the west Londoners back line and midfield dominated City’s attacking options as we started to get shots on target.

And finally, the goal came for Chelsea from one of the most unexpected men to prove to be a winner, Branslav Ivanovic. The Serbian started the move himself from his position and passed a through ball for Ramires but, the Brazilians shot was blocked by a tackle from Vincent Kompany and the return was turned in to goal with unstoppable shot from Branslav Ivanovic.

The Blues started to close up and defend after wards with the match in control if we stop City’s attacks. Gary Cahill and Terry were crucial in this game as they blocked lots of shots especially those coming from the left from crosses of Kolarov.

As the half approached, Eto’o went really close to doubling Chelsea’s lead as a brilliant work from Eden Hazard down the left got him an open chance at Joe Hart’s goal. But, the Cameroonian’s shot bounced off the bar and went out.

2nd half-

2nd half started with Chelsea having little possession and looking dangerous with Hazard and Willian’s combinations on the ball. Nemanja Matic started bossing the midfield as charged up and down the line. The Serbian almost scored his first goal for Chelsea as his long range shot hit the post and went out yet again for the Blues.

Manchester City brought in Stefan Jovetic for the almost lost man Alvaro Negredo in the match. Later on, the home team got a free kick with Toure falling after a challenge from himself on Willian. David Silva’s curling effort though was saved by Petr Cech!

As the game went on, Manchester City started to getting many crosses into the box and looking dangerous time and time again. But, at the other end, our attacking players were doing fantastic on the wings and a corner was earned through either Willian and Hazard.

And it was almost a 2nd goal for the Blues of London that could have wrapped up the same three points by Gary Cahill, but for the 3rd time in the game,  the headers was saved by the post. The defender who was almost man of the match was unlucky there.

As we approached the 80th minute, Jose Mourinho brought in Oscar for Samuel Eto’o looking to seal the victory through the fresh legs of the Brazilian. Moments later the Special one was furious as the Referee spotted a challenge on Oscar from Nastasic with only Joe Hart waiting in goal, but showed only a yellow card.

Manchester City though were attacking at the other end looking for the equalizer, but it didn’t arrive as Cahill made several blocks from headers and shots to deny the Citizens on their home territory.  Cech was called into action once more in stoppage time to deny Jovetic’s fiercely-struck effort, while Nastasic miskicked when left unmarked in the area at the death.

The game ended as the whistle was sounded by the referee for the last time. Jose Mourinho was clearly the happy one and Pellegrini’s men were exposed for the first time this season on their home ground since a trashing from Bayern in the Champions league earlier this season. Three points and the title charge is back on for the Blues!