Chelsea v Manchester City

Footballs soap opera started with Wayne Bridge ducking John Terry’s handshake but was soon overshadowed by Craig Bellamy and Carlos Tevez who inflicted nine men Chelsea’s first home defeat of the season.

Frank Lampard opened the scoring but Tevez and Bellamy gave City a surprise lead with goals either side of half time.
Tevez sealed the victory with a penalty after Juliano Belletti saw red for bringing down Gareth Barry. Michael Ballack was then sent off for a frustrated lunge on Tevez having already been booked for descent by referee Mike Dean.

City added another on the counter attack as Shaun Wright-Phillips crossed to Bellamy who had the simple task of scoring from 6 yards. There was still time for a late consolation goal from Lampard who scored from the penalty spot.

Chelsea had only conceded eight goals at home before the game with Manchester City not scoring in their previous seven visits to Stamford Bridge.

All the media hype was forgotten when the match kicked off and both teams looked to grab an early advantage.

Chelsea dominated possession and came close when make shift left back Florent Malouda fired a shot narrowly over the bar. Didier Drogba headed wide and Vincent Kompany nervously sliced his clearance over the bar.

The home side were eventually rewarded with minutes to go to half time. Joe Cole slotted the ball neatly through the City defence and Lampard finished coolly for his 12th league goal of the season.

The lead was short lived however after an error from John Obi Mikel. The Nigerian international headed back past Terry.

Tevez, typically determined, pounced on the mistake and pushed through the scrambling Chelsea defence to scuff the ball past Hilario.

City nearly increased their lead with seconds of the half remaining when a Bellamy free kick was met by Joleon Lescott who headed wide.

With the home crowd silenced Bellamy was quick to send them into shock minutes after the break. After showing Mikel a clean pair of heels the Welshman slotted home past an again despairing Hilario, City were looking to cause an upset.

Chelsea looked deflated and a last ditch clearance from Branislav Ivanovic stopped City from extending their lead. In desperation Carlo Ancelotti put on Daniel Sturridge and Salomon Kalou to make a four-man front line for the last 20 minutes.

However Tevez sealed the victory from the penalty spot after Barry was brought down by substitute Belletti who was given his marching orders.

Ballack, already on a booking soon followed after a wreck less tackle on Tevez. Chelsea’s misery was compounded by Bellamy’s second after good wing play from Wright-Phillips set him up for an easy tap in.

After five minutes of extra time were added there was still time for some late drama. Nicolas Anelka’s shot was well saved by Shay Given; the Frenchman was then brought down by Barry to give Lampard his second of the game with a penalty.

It wasn’t enough though as the final whistle blew and Chelsea’s title march took a step in the wrong direction.

Chelsea will hope to come back with a win in their home FA cup-tie against Stoke City. Whilst City look to continue their progress and secure the last Champions League place.