MANCHESTER CITY 0
Branislav Ivanovic was the unlikely hero as Chelsea snapped Manchester City’s run of records and showed their own championship clout.
The full-back struck a 32nd minute winner as boss Jose Mourinho, typically, masterminded a crucial victory. Defeat to their title rivals ended City’s 100 per cent league record at the Etihad and the chance to win nine on the trot and equal a record set 101 years ago.
With their misfiring attack failing to add to their 115-goal tally, their defence came under scrutiny and was found wanting. When Chelsea sneaked a 2-1 win in the encounter at Stamford Bridge in October, it was miscommunication between Matija Nastasic and Joe Hart that contributed to the late winner from Fernando Torres.
And perhaps Nastasic’s mind drifted back to that when he incurred the fury of Vincent Kompany in the eighth minute. The Serbian centre-back took out his captain – and the ball – with a sliding challenge as Willian threatened.
Decisive it might have seemed, but hinted at nerves from Nastasic, who was only starting after a muscular injury saw Fernandinho become a late withdrawal and Martin Demichelis moved into midfield.
That change affected City, but not initially as they looked to take early command. The charge was led by Yaya Toure, who swept out a pass to Aleksandar Kolarov and then just failed to reach the volleyed cross that was powered in from the left.
Toure then floated over a shot from 20 yards before he combined with Jesus Navas, barged into the box and stayed on his feet to pick out David Silva to touch wide from 10 yards. It proved a crucial moment.
Failing to make the most of their dominant opening, City were caught out by the classy counterattacking of the visitors who defended in depth and attacked with aplomb.
Mourinho had surprisingly started without playmaker Oscar, but Ramires, Willian and Eden Hazard drove, drifted and delighted with their intelligent running and link-up play.
City were caught out as such in the 27th minute. Navas was careless with his pass and even though Demichelis stopped Willian, the Brazilian attacker sped clear to latch onto the resulting pass from Nemanja Matic.
In a four-against-two situation, he plumped for Ramires, but his curling finish was saved superbly by Hart. The City keeper was left helpless when Chelsea did find the net five minutes later.
After Kompany blocked another Ramires effort, the ball dropped to Ivanovic who belted it into the corner with his left foot. City seemed out-numbered in midfield and unable to cope with the rapier-like raids of Mourinho’s men.
And this was highlighted again a minute before half time. David Luiz was quicker to a challenge than Demichelis, released Hazard down the left and his cross found its way to Samuel Eto’o who thumped it against the bar.
With so much at stake, City needed to step up in the second half and the towering Toure – so much better when in a forward role – fired just wide. But the impressive Matic came even closer when he let fly from 30 yards and the woodwork denied him a special first strike on his return to the club.
It was a breathless clash and Gary Cahill headed Willian’s corner against the post as both sides pressed relentlessly.
Petr Cech then broke City’s hearts and hopes when he twisted superbly to turn over Silva’s free kick and a lastgasp strike from Stevan Jovetic.
