BRANISLAV IVANOVIC’S FIRST-half cracker and tactical mastery by Jose Mourinho helped classy Chelsea to a 1-0 win at blunted Premier League title rivals Manchester City tonight.
Chelsea’s battling win was the first time previously rampant City have failed to score at home this season and sent the Londoners level on 53 points with the second-placed Mancunians, two points behind leaders Arsenal after 24 games.
Ivanovic struck just after the half hour when Ramires’ effort was blocked by Vincent Kompany and fell for the Serbian right back, who let fly first time from the edge of the box and saw his powerful left-foot shot nestle in the far corner.
City had chances to equalise but a dangerous Chelsea side, who also hit the woodwork three times, were always a threat on the break in an absorbing contest at the Etihad stadium.
YouTube credit: Leo Ben
Mourinho has got his tactics spot on in this match. Great first half for chelsea.
Should be more than 1 up. Hope they don’t live to regret missed chances
Great to see a big money club being taken down by one of the little guys.
Chelsea showed everyone how to play against city tonight. Was impressed by them
Mourinho got his tactics 100% spot on. They stopped city in midfield, they closed down toure at every oppurtunity and demichelis wasnt much help. Hazard and willian were top notch on the other side. Good defending and counter attacking was excellent from chelsea. Full deserved the 3 points.
Eden Hazard- different class. I’m not a huge football fan but would watch him play every day of the week. Heir to Messi’s throne perhaps?
Not mad about Chelsea but they were 3 goals the better team tonite
You are right. Arsenal still on top.
Sneaky Arsenal on top after 24 matches! Yet still nobody (me included) think they can win it.
Aaaaaaah why Didn I take the PP increased odds of 8-1 on a Chelsea win
It was only for new account holders only.
Had a few quid on them but they were only 3/1
Great result for the Arsenal. Come on you Gunners!!!
Chelsea playing 19th century football! What a prat.
You clearly didn’t watch the game!
Chelsea dominated the game, scored and hit the woodwork at least 3 times. Czech didn’t have a whole lot to do. So I’ll second that, what game were you watching?
3rd. Chelsea were amazing,which was strange. City have no chance in champions league.
Chelsea done a job on city tonight but I don’t think it will change the outcome of the league .
Your right, Arsenal all the way…
City still have to play Arsenal, Liverpool, MU and Everton away and their record on the road in the Premier League has not been stellar, and that includes a loss against the only Top 5 team they’ve played away (Chelsea 2:1) so far. This league is FAR from over.
As a united fan, city will take 3 points from us for sure :\ united playing shite.
well said dave
Very pleasing result. Missed the match due to work but by all accounts it was a well deserved win.
Seems the top 3 are breaking away from the pack. Chelsea have some good victories against their closest rivals which should bode well.
Monday Mourinho Mastersclass. The manure fans must be delighted Moyes got the job over him….. lol lol
Well done Chelsea. There’s a lesson here for the board of ManU. Pick the right manager please before it’s too late
Have to say (as a neutral) i thought hazard gave one of the most complete midfield performances I’ve ever seen.
Everything he did was laced with a combination of skill, trickery, power, pace, atlethicism and most of all positivity. It was like mourinho had hypnotized him into thinking he was paul scholes and ronaldo rolled into one!
I recall a certain other manager only needing a point to secure the league at the Empti-Had a few years back & against a far inferior team too an didn’t get a shot on target & lost the title!!!!!
Mourinho not special anymore??? The man is a footballing genius!
It’s a pity that clip ends when it does.
Ivanovic’s celebration was legendary, ripping the piss out of Joe Hart’s Head and Shoulders commercial.
Ahhh, didn’t get that! :-)