Manchester City 0-1 Chelsea: Five talking points

Hart was the sole silver lining

The last time Joe Hart played against Chelsea, he misjudged a long ball, conceded the winner and went onto miss seven League games in October.

The game against Chelsea was the one that broke the camel’s back for Pellegrini, who was getting sick at the sight of Hart.

But, Monday night proved to be a catharsis for Hart as he completely moved away from that nadir and re-established himself as the Number One.

For much of the first half, Hart was virtually a spectator as City dominated. But thereafter, a regulation gather from a Samuel Eto’o shot showed that Hart was back to his confident self.

But it was a save from Ramires that was Hart’s redemption, as he flung himself to save a certain goal.

On a day, when few players played with any distinction, Hart was one of the few that showed the assurance of old and laid to rest the ghost of his traumatic encounter with Chelsea, last time out.