City consolidate position with clinical win over Chelsea

The Etihad stadium hosted the top of the table battle between Chelsea and Manchester City. City had a four point lead over Chelsea going in to the match, with Chelsea at 49 points from 26 games and City at 53 points from 26 games. Close on their heels was Tottenham Hotspurs, on 48 points, who will not play a game until Tuesday. This game was more of a consolidation and an attempt to bridge the gap to the leaders, Manchester United, who went 15 points clear yesterday. The game was already a cracker on paper, and expectations were high from both managers to ensure maximum points.

Squads

Manchester City were shorn of their captain, Vincent Kompany, who missed his fifth game due to a calf injury. He was, however, watching from the sidelines in an ominous V-neck. Sergio Aguero started up front, backed by David Silva, Javi Garcia, Jack Rodwell and James Milner. Yaya Toure filled that familiar block between the midfield and the defense. Tevez, Dzeko and Nasri were benched, probably to be called up in case the situation demanded it. Joe Hart was in goal, a lot resting on his shoulders.

Chelsea had all the usual suspects in attack, minus the misfiring Fernando Torres. January buy Demba Ba started in the center of attack, flanked by Eden Hazard, Juan Mata and Ramires. Frank Lampard and Mikel held fort in the middle, the former looking for his 200^th goal in the league. The defense was exceptionally muscular, with Ashley Cole, Gary Cahill, David Luiz and Branislav Ivanovic starting the game. The talismanic Terry was on the bench, with Oscar and Moses for company.

Game Review

Manchester City were off and running from the first whistle, but Chelsea looked just as certain of themselves. The match invariably commanded fluid passes with Silva and Mata adding flair. The beauty of threaded passes showed with both teams finding it hard to stand still and slow the game to suit their play.

Also, this was one game which was never going to be a goal-fest, with the maverick Petr Cech manning the Chelsea end, and ensuring everything stayed out. Joe Hart too scurried from one post to another to repel any attack. Manchester City proved themselves the more committed side with quick passes and repeated forays. None of these bore fruit but Cech was working harder than he usually would. Aguero kept pressing and Cahill proved that he deserved his spot in the eleven with repeated clearances and interceptions. He was everywhere, and showed a brilliant sense of positioning.

City’s Rodwell was another hard worker, rising on two occasions to see his header saved by a diving Cech. Chelsea were guilty of overpassing at times, and let Clichy get in their way one too many times. The first half ended without a goal but with four yellows, three of which went to the home side.

In the second half, at 51 minutes, Demba Ba ran past defenders only to be taken down by Joe Hart inside the area, resulting in a penalty. Replays suggested that Ba was more than eager to go down but anyone would have done the same. Lampard stepped up in search for his 200^th goal, and let rip a low shot which Hart managed to stop with ease. The power was adequate but the shot wasn’t placed right in the corner, and gave Hart the chance to save face. Mancini’s face showed relief and he quickly turned on the heat and replaced Rodwell with Tevez. Aguero kept probing, missing a couple of chances, one which nearly managed to find the net after he lobbed it over a diving Cech.

Finally, at the 62^nd minute mark, the ball bobbed around the Chelsea area, before David Silva cut one back towards Yaya Toure, who cut past a couple and finally curled one across a bent Cahill, leaving Cech with no chance. City had drawn first blood, and were deservedly leading.

Chelsea were scurrying all of a sudden, and barring a chance that fell for an exhausted Ramires, they had nothing to show for their day in the sun. Benitez decided to play his cards with Moses and Oscar replacing Hazard and Lampard. Torres came on for Mikel at the 80 minute mark, the last change for Chelsea.

City still looked eager, not ready to fall back and park the bus. After a Yaya Toure blinder was pushed away by Cech, Tevez tried his luck from outside the box, and found the top right corner of the net. City were up by two, and Chelsea were far from even a consolation point. Benitez, who is higher up in terms of job security as opposed to Mancini, didn’t look too happy with the scoreboard.

Chelsea had almost given up too easily, and looked a far cry from their usual destructive self. City are known to have demolished teams but this turned out to be too easy. Chelsea added to their record, and have now lost all four of their last four encounters with City at the Etihad. Tevez broke his duck from the last eight games, and was up to the task of killing off any hope Chelsea might have harboured. Lampard will have to wait for the next match day to make it a double hundred, leaving the Blues fans wondering how different it would have been if he had struck first. Also, if Tottenham win, they push Chelsea down in to fourth. Not a very happy day for Benitez.