Match Report: City vs. Chelsea

After a less than convincing performance away to Queens Park Rangers, Manchester United managed to culminate an away win to increase their lead at the top of the Premier League to fifteen points on Saturday night adding further pressure to City boss Roberto Mancini. City would go into their Sunday lunchtime game with Chelsea looking for three points and ultimately decreasing their led add the top whilst cementing their position in second place.

Jack Rodwell in control of City's midfield

Manchester City went into Sunday's showdown fresh after a seven day resting period since the Champions managed to beat Leeds in the FA Cup. However, Chelsea were playing their second game in sixty four hours after the European Champions were in Europa League action at home to Sparta Prague on Thursday evening, a tie in which they progressed much thanks to a last minute Eden Hazard strike to give Chelsea the advantage with only seconds remaining.

Roberto Mancini made numerous chances to the team with the most surprising was playing Sergio Aguero up front on his own with Yaya Toure being released from the midfield which was now filled by summer arrival Jack Rodwell. With City dominating the earlier stages, the home side really should have taken advantage and gone a goal up. After an in swinging corner from David Silva was met by Majita Nastasic, the young Serbian could only manage to head his shot into the ground and straight at Petr Cech in the Chelsea goal. A chance the rising star should have taken no doubt.

More neat play on the edge of the box had many of the forty seven plus thousands City fans on their feet. Almost the same style of football City played with last year after the defeat to Arsenal which seemed to end their title chances. No pressure, free flowing football.

The half continued in much of the same vein of form with City dominating yet Chelsea at times showing danger signs to the City defence with their counter attacking football. After some beautiful link up play between David Silva and Sergio Aguero, the tallisman was set free after being put in behind the Chelsea defence. With the chance to take a first time shot, Aguero tried to go around the on running Petr Cech before the Argentine ran out of space and ran the ball out of play.

The half drew to a close with the sides level and the most promising signs for City was the form of Jack Rodwell. A rumoured long term target of Mancini, the former Everton man showed some great displays both going forward after forcing a few saves out of Petr Cech, and breaking up play in the middle of the park to show why Roberto Mancini has been following the former England under 21 star for the past three years.

Masked Demba Ba being brought down by Joe Hart

Shortly after the second half began, City showed pressing signs upon the Chelsea goal with Sergio Aguero and Yaya Toure being the biggest threats. However, after a long ball from Branislav Ivanovic seemed to be going no where, Demba Ba majestically took the ball out of the air before being taken down by the on running Joe Hart before referee Andre Marriner pointed to the spot. Up stepped Frank Lampard. The penalty master whose last spot kick miss was against City three and a half years ago when Shay Given managed to steer that spot kick away. With Lampard's penalty destined for the bottom right of Joe Hart's goal, the England number one managed to get down low and push the ball out of the path Lampard before Kolo Toure beat the on running Juan Mata up to the re bound. Hart more than making a mense for his mistake.

The momentum of the game was really starting to pick up at this point but with City doing most of the pressing. Some neat play down the right hand side of the pitch by James Milner led to the former Villa man playing a ball into the path of David Silva. With the Spanish magician showing great strength to hold off Chelsea's Gary Cahill he managed to lay the ball back to Yaya Toure, and after some great feet to beat John Obi Mikel he managed beautifully to curl a shot into Cech's left hand post to give City the lead.

Play continued to grow in the same shape and with Chelsea captain John Terry on looking from the bench questions may need to be raised about David Luiz' future as a Chelsea player. After Aguero picked up the ball on the left hand channel for City he managed to burst into the box before laying the ball onto David Silva. Silva's simple pass found Tevez who managed to steer a truly wonderful goal from twenty five yards past Petr Cech to round off City performance. A great win for City who now led third placed Chelsea by seven points.

Yaya Toure shortly after giving City the lead

Player Ratings:

Joe Hart - 7

The England number one didn't need to do a whole lot yesterday, however despite taking Demba Ba down which resulted in a penalty. He managed to do what so few people have done and save a Frank Lampard free kick.

Pablo Zabaleta - 7

Yet again as solid as ever. The ever present Argentine was almost faultless yesterday. However, the only critical point of the stand in captain was he allowed Hazard suck him into fouling him on a couple of occasions.

Kolo Toure - 8

Bossed the City defence yesterday in the absence of captain Vincent Kompany. Showed great experience and leadership at times, as well as providing the crowd with some great moments. Kolo truly rolling back the years lately.

Majita Nastasic - 7

Hard to believe that this guy is only 19. A faultless performance yet again and showing maturity beyond his years. Only slight critical point is the fact he should have given City the led and scored his first goal for the club yesterday.

Gael Clichy - 7.5

Right now, I personally can only say Ashley Cole is better than this guy in the league. A solid defender and a different player to the one that was booed by Arsenal fans for his performances. Needs to add a final ball to his play.

Javi Garcia - 6

Not much to recall from the game yesterday. He was very ineffective yet caused no problems to City. With him still settling into the squad, fingers crossed the Spaniard lives up to his major price tag.

Jack Rodwell - 8.5

A phenomenal performance by the former Evertonian. Showed great strength, skill and has a great eye for a tackle. With the right nourishment, control of his injuries and guidance then City will have a fantastic player for many years to come. Man of the match on any other day.

James Milner - 7.5

Voted the man of the match by the fans, and hard to argue why. His form since the start of the year has been superb. Arguably the fittest player in the league, there is rarely a game when James Milner can't walk off a pitch with his head held high.

David Silva - 7.5

Another two assists for the man City fans call merlin. The little magician is back to his best and was involved in all good things for City going forward.

Yaya Toure - 9.5

Yesterday's man of the match. Given the freedom to go forward, Yaya Toure yet again fired City's opening goal in a major game. The ever reliable Ivorian looks set to be offered a new five year deal by City. Some great news for the fans, club and Roberto Mancini.

Sergio Aguero - 8

Technically the most complete striker in England but he needs to add more goals. Squandered some great chances that he would have scored last season, however his overall play yet again was unquestionable. Led the City attack brilliantly.


Hero Of The Day: Yaya Toure. A near perfect performance that makes him one of the best, if not the best box to box player in the world. Always a big game player, it's hard to see at times what City would do without their inspirational Ivorian.

Villain Of The Day: Frank Lampard. Missed a crucial penalty shortly after the half time break that would have given Chelsea the lead. Taken off shortly afterwards. Lampard remains three goals of Bobby Tambling's scoring record.