Barclays Premier League: Blues taste first loss of the season at Eastlands
League leaders Chelsea travelled to Eastlands to take on Manchester City in hopes to silence their critics and maintain their unbeaten run in the English Premier League, but Mancini’s side proved to be a tougher challenge than
the Blues had expected.
Chelsea were without star midfielder Frank Lampard, who took longer than expected recovering from a hernia surgery. Manager Carlo Ancelotti stressed at a press conference that he was willing to rest Lampard for however long necessary
– such is the importance of the player. Yossi Benayoun, Salomon Kalou and Gael Kakuta were also not available, due to injuries they had sustained in the Carling Cup loss to Newcastle United in midweek.
Manchester City had problems of their own; Lescott had been sidelined for the previous three fixtures due to a groin injury. However, Mancini spoke to both Lescott and Boateng, both were injured, but since there were only three
other defenders available, the two started on the bench. Midfielders Dedryck Boyata, Gareth Barry and James Milner were considered for the role of the defenders, but it was Boyata who was brought in for the missing Micah Richards at the back.
Chelsea started off strong, focusing on the attack and came very close to scoring when Branislav Ivanovic’s header struck the cross bar. But it was Carlos Tevez’s goal in the 60th minute that was the difference between
the two sides and which won Manchester City the match to give them all three points. Even with the three points however, the Blues remain clear at the top, some four points ahead of all opposition.
The newly appointed City captain struck at the hour mark and beat the Chelsea goal keeper to score, making this the sixth time in five games against the Blues. It was actually because of City’s various injuries that Tevez was gifted
the role of the lone striker and he made the most of it, and despite the odds against them led his side to victory against the seemingly unstoppable Blues.
Chelsea started this season where they left off the last one, winning their first five opening games of the Premier League and scoring 20 goals. They seemed invincible, until the midweek Carling Cup fixture against Newcastle. Ancelotti
presented a younger side and was punished for it, as the match ended 4-3 to Newcastle at the Bridge. Ancelotti dismissed the loss, saying the other competitions were a higher priority and that the Blues would bounce back.
That was not the case as the Blues stumbled against Manchester City, and that leaves one to wonder if this first loss in the Premier League is a sign of things to come. Chelsea will not have a moment to breathe as they take on
Marseille in the Champions League and the unpredictable Arsenal in the Premier League next weekend. Ancelotti’s side needs to shape up and prepare for the challenges ahead if they wish to maintain their lead.
They failed to do that in today’s match, City were not intimidated and proved to be tough opponents. Even though one goal was the difference in the match, the Blues could have done so much better to counter it. Top goal scorers
Florent Malouda and Didier Drogba did not have their shooting shoes on today, and did not pose too much of a threat to the City goal. City keeper Joe Hart was exceptional though and deserves his just praise, he was sharp throughout the match and made some
very impressive saves.
Starting XI
Manchester City: Hart, Zabaleta, Kompany, Toure, Boyata, Milner, De Jong, Barry, Toure Yaya, Silva, Tevez.
Subs: Given, Adebayor, Adam Johnson, Boateng, Lescott, Vieira, Jo.
Chelsea: Cech, Ivanovic, Terry, Alex, Cole, Ramires, Mikel, Essien, Malouda, Drogba, Anelka.
Subs: Turnbull, Zhirkov, Ferreira, Sturridge, Van Aanholt, Kakuta, McEachran.
Tags: