Chelsea 2-1 Man City

[DONI. 1,291]

Player ratings ESPN

Petr Cech - 7

Hardly had much to do apart from pick the ball out of the net after he was expertly rounded by Balotelli in the second minute. On the few occasions City took pot shots from distance, the Czech goalkeeper showed clean hands.

Jose Bosingwa - 8

Had his hands full with David Silva in the first half, but as Chelsea looked to press forward in the second 45, the Portuguese full-back provided an excellent outlet down the right, and whipped in some delicious deliveries, which his team-mates failed to capitalise on.

John Terry - 7.5

Stood strong at the back for the Blues. Despite a troubled season so far, Terry's performances on the pitch have been very good.

Branislav Ivanovic - 6.5

At fault for City's goal when he let a through ball slip past him into the path of Balotelli, but the Serbian international recovered strongly and defended well for the rest of the game.

Ashley Cole - 7

Steady if unspectacular game from Cole. Defended well, but failed to get forward as often as he would have liked.

Oriol Romeu - 8.5

The Barcelona academy graduate's star just keeps on rising, and he repaid the faith shown in him by manager Andre Villas-Boas with a mature and composed display in the middle of the park. Took awhile to get settled but once he did, the 20-year-old was immaculate in his distribution, exhibiting a good range of short and long passes. Also showed remarkable poise despite his tender years, and was never hurried despite the pressure from the Citizens.

Raul Meireles (off 73') - 7

Did well to net Chelsea's equaliser when he made a late run into the box and finished Sturridge's cross clinically. But otherwise, the Portuguese was sloppy with his passing, and could have been sent off after putting in a number of late challenges before halftime despite already being on a yellow card.

Ramires - 9

Man of the match on the evening. Ramires was absolutely unstoppable, and never stopped running hard at the City defence. Latched hungrily onto every loose ball, and his direct play eventually saw Clichy receive his marching orders, after Ramires was hacked down while charging forward.

Daniel Sturridge (off 84') - 7

Clever work down the right led to Chelsea's equaliser, when he jinked into the box before delivering a perfect cross on his weaker right foot. However, Sturridge struggled to get in the game at times, and will be hoping for a better performance next time out.

Juan Mata (off 84') - 8

Like many of his team mates, Mata started the match slowly, but when he did come to life, he was Chelsea's most creative player. Set the tone for his side's second half performance when he danced past the City defence on numerous occasions just after the restart.

Didier Drogba - 8

Failed to get on the scoresheet, and wasted a number of good chances, but credit has to be paid to Drogba for a hardworking shift up front on his own. Never stopped battling for high balls, and put his strength to good use by holding up the ball while waiting for support to arrive.

Subs

Frank Lampard (on 73') - 7

Was presented with the perfect chance to make an impact when Chelsea were awarded a penalty in the 82nd minute, which he smashed straight down the middle. However, apart from the well-taken spot kick, Lampard was a virtual spectator for the 20 minutes

[francozola 2,040]

^ Very accurate ratings and descriptions. Don't understand some of the crazy praises that Sturridge got. Yes, he had a couple of wonderful players but he disappeared from the game for long periods at a time.

[Hd123 5]

The thing that makes a top player a top player is that even during a bad game he can change the scoreline with something unexpected out of nothing. And that's what Sturridge did, twice today, even if he was lucky for the second one. He also raped Clichy at every opportunity.

As for ivanovic being at fault for the goal, I disagree. There is a certain fullback who's supposed to be covering. Ivanovic had Milner to worry about and Bosingwa was alone with acres of space and no opposition player to mark other than Balotelli. So what did he do, he went in the other direction, that moment can only be summed up as

[francozola 2,040]

The thing that makes a top player a top player is that even during a bad game he can change the scoreline with something unexpected out of nothing. And that's what Sturridge did, twice today, even if he was lucky for the second one. He also raped Clichy at every opportunity. As for ivanovic being at fault for the goal, I disagree. There is a certain fullback who's supposed to be covering. Ivanovic had Milner to worry about and Bosingwa was alone with acres of space and no opposition player to mark other than Balotelli. So what did he do, he went in the other direction, that moment can only be summed up as

Agree about Ivanovic. I place the most blame on JT because he came out and didn't get a control on Aguero. He should have at least brought Aguero down and given away a fk. Can't believe he came all the way out and just let him keep the ball. Ridiculous. Bosingwa was day-dreaming too but I feel like JT was more at fault for needlessly rushing out so early and when the situation changed when Aguero turned and was facing the goal, he didn't do anything to stop it.

And yes, I'm not criticizing Sturridge for that. What I meant was... Romeu, Ramires etc deserve more credit imo (as regards to being the MOM or "Star Man" or whatever) because they were more consistent. imo anyway

[Hd123 5]

Not the best game from Ramires today. Worked his socks off -to be expected of him of course-, made some good runs too. I think he was far too wasteful with possession until they went down to 10 men to warrant a man of the match performance. Romeu immense again for me.

[Badboy 1,526]

That was superb, i really hope AVB drops the high line idea now ! If i was a city fan i think i would of lost the will to live with Drogba's time wasting at the end lol that would wind any opposing fan up, he literally wasted the whole of stoppage time plus a few mins before that.

[Badboy 1,526]

@FrancoZola We didn't get the ball out to him enough. Like i said after the first half, i wanted to see him in a one on one with Gael Clichy because he will skin him alive. The couple of times we did get it out to him Clichy had to foul him because Sturridge was turning him !

[Hd123 5]

That was superb, i really hope AVB drops the high line idea now ! If i was a city fan i think i would of lost the will to live with Drogba's time wasting at the end lol that would wind any opposing fan up, he literally wasted the whole of stoppage time plus a few mins before that.

We were only one goal up but that was absolutely hilarious. I just love the guy. I think he began it from 84 minute onwards lol

[Swedish House Mafia 508]

If that's not a blatant attempt at a chop then I don't know what is.

[francozola 2,040]

If that's not a blatant attempt at a chop then I don't know what is.

Disgusting. Toure is a disgraceful cheat. Worse than Suarez, Rooney, and all the other cunts.

[Hd123 5]

Fully agreed. Toure is a massive twat. Achilles injury is a pain to deal with. And how dare he even think about touching sir Mata, the stupid prick.

[Badboy 1,526]

He tried to hurt Ramires ! Ramires gives you all sorts of problems lol he just surges forward and it gives the opposition problems because a defender has to come out to cover the space and it all results in either a red card or a penalty and A RED CARD LAUGH OUT LOUD !

[francozola 2,040]

Hope the referee writes about the two incidents in his post-match report. The fucker deserves a ban for that. If he had caught Ramires properly it would have been a serious injury

[We Hate Scouse 10,326]

Been told it kicked off down the tunnel after...

[Badboy 1,526]

Apparently Ashley Cole was taunting the City players in the tunnel.

[termninja 5,290]

I recorded this last night in case you missed it.

[bluephoenix 1,131]

-------------------------------------

PRE MATCH

SINGLE LINK

http://www.fileserve...ile/9NnxxgK/Pre Match - EPL - Chelsea v. Man City - 12-12-11.avi

FIRST HALF

SINGLE LINK

http://www.fileserve...e/GC8YZEu/First Half - EPL - Chelsea v. Man City - 12-12-11.avi

SECOND HALF

SINGLE LINK

http://www.fileserve.../PGCrPyp/Second Half - EPL - Chelsea v. Man City - 12-12-11.avi

POST MATCH

http://www.fileserve...le/gTkhjB7/Post Match - EPL - Chelsea v. Man City - 12-12-11.avi

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Credits: pakmans-footy-blog

[Clevemayer 764]

I'm so pleased to be honnest, wonderfull game but I have to disagree with the team as a whole...

bossy gett'n all this praise is weired, also Romeu.

Cech 7.0 made som cruciail catches and saves

Bosingwa was awfull at defending (first goal was mainly his and romeus failure) his crosses and his bombing forward was ok, but he only did so because studge da man was haveing a go at the citieh players so he had nough room, but some nice crossings he did, but still, everytime city was coming over the right flanks they looked dangerous, thanks to iva for blocking most of the crosses 5.5

Terry rock solid apart from his first woefull challenge of Agüero when he turned on 3 men to give the decesive pass for the first goal and really was fully concentrated 7.5 really well played cap

Bane, like the rest of the team was somehow not at it for the first 20 Min. but after that wonderfull defensive display from him 7.0

Ash, wasn't the ash, or lets better say ISN'T the ash we've all become to know in recent years, still a world class defender though but not as outstanding as in the last 3 Seasons nontheless 6.0

Romeu was really, really nervous, and I wanted him to be replaced after the first half... he was so often outta position (especially for the first goal), but in the second half he was really sublime... so for me 6.5 or 7 at maximum

Meireles, the same goes for him, his goal was well taken and he started to calm down, nontheless was giving the ball into the box far too early in the 2nd half he should've done better with that, especially when you remember him been a tiki-taka-maka-chacka-lacka-spain-short-pass-teamer but allround 7.0

Ramy, very good display, technically at no fault this time surpriseingly love it when he is at his day 7.5

Studge, doesn't deserve that much praise, but its not his fault he was on fire and played well, good runs, good switching the wings and into the middle nice dribblings but couldn't get on the ball, mainly because of our midfield, nontheless crucial two actions for the equalizer and the handball 8.0

Mata, avarage 1st half but made up for it in the second half, 7.5

Drogs, for me, even if hes in form and on fire, whilest haveing an avarage game, hes world class, still has something to give, not on a regular base but a really really important member for the squad, the holdupplay in the last 10 Min. was unbeliveable... 8.0

Lamps, wonderfull penalty and that celebration, most complete midfielder that have ever been on this planet, I know not at the moment and not at this game but id was so incredibly touching to see him strike this penalty like that vintage lamps and his celebration was tremendous.... most underrated player for his entire career 6.5

Mikel did well, nice contrebution no fault and holding possesion very well was only there for 10 Min or so -

Maloud, no major impact -

Meireles was very nervous, hasty and tackled to much (boy imagin Mikel doing some of this tackles this board would've gone down under the rants)... Sublime goal, really well taken, calmed a bit down at the second half wasn't as influencal as against lower sides, have to agree with Henrique, he is e really good squadplayer and he deserves credit for his talent against midrange clubs, but not a top top class player like lamps was in his prime, we need defo somebody with worldclass at that spot...

[bluephoenix 1,131]

Credits: http://matheusnerys.tumblr.com/tagged/cfc%20edits

[didierforever 7,349]

can any1 post the pic where balotelli was shaking hands with sturridge. i dont think there is any greater sign of respect.