BlueLion.

I think we were watching different games. The Samu I did gave his absolute all, and in games like that, that is all you can ask of a striker playing in a team that doesn't need a striker.

RIP Yaya.

He is becoming a bit of a general for us, the way Ballack and Drogba were for us. That sort of experience is vital in coaching the kids of the team, like Eden and Oscar. That sort of experience is as good as a goal or an assist.

Haha, you have far more life experience than me Ron, I'll do it your way, sir!

Seemed to miss this shocker of a challenge by Kompany somewhere in the melee...

Actually buzzing my tits off. Gonna go and get smashed and find some bird to go home with, ciao!

A wonderstrike from Branislav Ivanovic saw Chelsea deservedly beat Manchester City to close the gap on Premier League leaders Arsenal to a paltry two points. The Serbian rifled in a magnificent drive from the edge of the box on the half-hour after Ramires had seen a shot well blocked by City captain Vincent Kompany, for what proved to be the game-winning goal. Chelsea were absolutely fantastic, putting in what is surely their best performance of the season to totally dominate the Premier League title favourites in their own backyard. Whilst Petr Cech was forced to make a couple of outstanding late saves from David Silva and City sub Stevan Jovetic, it was the Blues who – by far – carried the greater threat, with Samuel Eto’o, Nemanja Matic and Gary Cahill all hitting the woodwork. It also took fine Joe Hart saves to deny Ramires, Eden Hazard and John Terry as the away side inflicted City’s first home league defeat since May – and preventing them from scoring in the league at the Etihad for the first time in 63 matches. The victory is a result more than warranted by Chelsea’s performance. On a night that will go a long way towards deciding the destiny of the league title come May, Jose Mourinho unequivocally won the tactical battle with Manuel Pellegrini. Mourinho’s decision to field David Luiz alongside Matic in the defensive midfield pivot was a masterstroke – the Brazilian was one of many stand-out players for Chelsea, with his industry and work-rate typifying both a miserly defensive showing and an exhilarating attacking display. This was the full package from Mourinho’s Chelsea. Talk prior to the game was of the Blues’ supposedly defensive-orientated mindset in this type of fixture, with critics pointing to less than exciting draws at Old Trafford and the Emirates as a negative approach to the game. But after a scathing attack on Sam Allardyce’s nineteenth-century football that saw West Ham somehow conjure a draw back at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday night, Mourinho was only ever going to set his team out to attack. That move, always likely, was anticipated by Pellegrini, who, in the absence of arguably City’s most crucial player, Fernandinho, elected to play Martin Demichelis as their holding player. This tactical game was won in the midfield. Demichelis, a centre-half by trade, was torn to pieces. Hazard, enjoying arguably his best performance in a Chelsea shirt, countlessly left the Argentine defender trailing in his wake. Demichelis’ midfield partner Yaya Toure fared little better. Considered to be the Premier League’s bully-boy enforcer, the Ivorian was dominated by Luiz and Matic. City paid the Blues a great deal of respect with their relatively reserved showing. When you consider this is the same side that has put eleven goals past Tottenham in two games this season, as well as beating the likes of Arsenal and Manchester United by heavy margins, this Chelsea performance is all the more impressive. Simply put, Pellegrini’s side weren’t allowed to play with the sort of freedom that has seen them net 42 goals in eleven home league matches prior to this evening. City created the better early chances, with Yaya Toure scuffing wide and David Silva later failing to make a good connection with the midfield man's cross, scuffing an effort across the face of goal from inside the six yard box. Chelsea, however, were set up to hit City on the counter-attack with pace and movement, a ploy that reduced the home side to the sort of anxiety rarely seen at the Etihad this season. First Hart had to make a fine close-range save to deny Ramires when the Blues had a four-on-one attacking overload after a swift break. Looking back, the Brazilian really should have opened the scoring. Fear not – Ivanovic popped up to thunder an incredible half-volley from the edge of the box past Hart moments later after Ramires had again seen a fine chance wasted. The Blues might even have doubled their lead when Eto’o smacked the ball against the crossbar as the half drew to a close. Chelsea led 1-0 at the interval – and it is likely City would have been the happier side considering the Blues’ first-half dominance. Chelsea came out the far superior of the two sides after the break, with first Matic thundering an arcing effort off the post from 25 yards, before Cahill headed against the woodwork from a Willian corner. Joe Hart was a mere spectator on both occasions, and the home side were incredibly lucky not to fall further behind. That – coupled with the introduction from the bench of Jovetic – seemed to spark City into life, and Cech had to be alert to expertly palm over David Silva’s excellent free kick as the home side looked for a response. Chelsea continued to threaten on the counter, but Cech again had to react to a fierce Jovetic drive. At the other end, Mourinho was incandescent that Matija Nastastic was not sent off after a clear shirt pull on Blues sub Oscar as the visitors broke after a City corner – but he was celebrating moments later. The final whistle sounded to screams of delight from the travelling support from West London. Elsewhere, an eerie silence crept over the Etihad Stadium. City fans have been reminded their team are not infallible. Click here to view the article

Eric Djemba Djemba.

Really? There's 42 points left to play for after tonight, and City have a few games to play we've already got out of the way, i.e. Old Trafford, the Emirates, Goodison, just to name a few.

There is absolutely no way that Ramires won't start on the right. Mourinho will go all-out for the draw. Eto'o/Ba Hazard - Oscar - Ramires Matic - Lampard Azpi - Terry - Cahill - Branna God

I can't find the post, but back when we signed him I said something like: "don't expect a lot from Eto'o. It'll be hard for him to adjust, and he's only coming for one season. If he scores 10 goals for us over the course of the season as a second-choice, he'll have done okay". He's well on track to match that. So I can't complain.

They'll make it, but they won't play for Chelsea. Look at how well Liam Bridcutt and Jack Cork have done. Not good enough for us, but both playing Premier League football - albeit for two clubs that really do emphasise the importance of youth team players.    I fully expect Ryan Bertrand to be sold. Kakuta likewise. I doubt van Aanholt will ever get a sniff. Even the extremely promising ones like Aké and Chalobah and Bamford will probably never play for us on a full-time basis. 

Looks like we've got a smartass here, folks!

I remember you! Welcome back!

If this happens I'll shave my head for absolutely no reason. The reason why I'm saying that is because it won't happen, so I can keep my gorgeous locks.

More chance of me tunefully farting out the riff to Whole Lotta Love than this happening.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAAA

That was a long time ago. I've grown up since then, would have hoped for you to have done the same. As I said, no more of it please. Just because you've been around here for a long time doesn't mean you're above the rules.

If you offered me 0-0 I'd bite your hand arm off and beat myself bloody with it.

The fact the member you targeted has a problem with it is my concern. As well as calling someone 'stupid'... exemplary behaviour right there. No more of it, please.

That's totally unnecessary Ron.

What a turgid performance.

Dire tonight, but Ramires is the player who gives his absolute all and an extra 20% on top. You can't be mad at him for that.

West Ham frustrated Chelsea at Stamford Bridge with a miserly defensive showing that leaves the Blues three points off top spot. With Manchester City taking full advantage of Arsenal's surprise slip-up at Southampton yesterday evening by thumping Spurs at White Hart Lane, the Blues go into next Monday's crunch clash with Manuel Pellegrini's side knowing that even a win will not be enough to usurp the 2011/12 champions. This was a performance of great endeavour from both sides, with Chelsea doing absolutely everything but score - indeed, the Blues had a mammoth 39 efforts, nine of which were on target. For West Ham this represents a massive triumph their magnificent defensive performance warranted. After failing to capitalise on an impressive performance over Stoke City at the weekend where the Blues should really have won quite comfortably, a full 90 minutes against the Hammers without scoring will be of great concern to Chelsea boss José Mourinho, who, without the injured Fernando Torres, is woefully short of striking options. With it being too late in the transfer window to bridge that particular void, however, further frustration seems likely for the Blues. So often have the Blues looked to their midfield magicians to produce something special, and more often that not they have been able to oblige - not here, though. This is a game that should not be over-analysed by the statisticians. The fact of the matter is Chelsea utterly battered Sam Allardyce's side, but with their goalkeeper in defiant mood and their defensive utterly impeccable, this was a backs-to-the-wall effort to rival the Blues' own exploits at the Nou Camp back in 2012. The Blues stay two points behind Arsenal, but with City now opening a gap between themselves and the Blues - one that could be extended to six points should they win on Monday - and the fact that Liverpool are now only four points behind in fourth means that much work must be done between now and May. Talk of a Premier League title is premature - Chelsea will challenge, but on this evidence will come up that bit short. The old cliché of parking the bus applies here, but the startling truth is that, with this strike force, the Blues could have played for another 90 minutes and still not put the ball in the back of the net. The best chances of the game had fallen first to Oscar, who saw a majestic shot palmed expertly onto the bar by Adrian, before John Terry had a header saved by the goalkeeper's legs. The next best opportunities came in a grandstand finish. Demba Ba hit the post in stoppage time before Eden Hazard first lashed a shot into the side netting and then, with a second effort, tested the goalkeeper. Frank Lampard had seen a shot charged down in one of umpteen last-ditch blocks by a West Ham defender, before right at the very end Samuel Eto'o cheekily kicked the ball into the goal when Adrian had placed the ball down for a free-kick. Sometimes you just have to realise things aren't going to go your way. This was one of "those" games. Chelsea have five days to regroup before their date with destiny at the Etihad. Click here to see the article.