Man City 2-1 Chelsea

[BlueLion. 21,491]

Saturday 5th December 2009, the FA Premier League, the City of Manchester Stadium, Manchester

Carlos Tevez' second half freekick sealed a famous victory for Manchester City over Premier League leaders Chelsea.

The Argentine forward curled home beyond Petr Cech after Ricardo Carvalho had been wrongfully adjudged to have fouled the former Manchester United star whilst challenging for the ball. City's Emmanuel Adebayor had given Chelsea the lead after Nicolas Anelka's shot was parried onto the Togo striker's back, but the ex-Arsenal striker responded by prodding home an equaliser for Mark Hughes' side.

Frank Lampard had the opportunity to draw Chelsea level but saw his penalty saved by Given to complete a torrid few days in the North that has seen the Blues dumped out of the Carling Cup and their lead cut to two points thanks to Manchester United's thrashing of West Ham. City, who had equalled the longest run of consecutive draws with their 1-1 stalemate against Hull the previous weekend, move to fifth in the table.

Nicolas Anelka, Lampard, John Terry and Petr Cech were amongst the changes as Carlo Ancelotti shuffled his pack for a crucial encounter at Eastlands. City were without Craig Bellamy and Stephen Ireland, and went behind in the eighth minute through unfortunate circumstances.

A bright start by the visitors saw Drogba's effort saved by Given after Deco's clever flick saw the Ivorian break through, but Chelsea were not forced to wait long to open their account. Branislav Ivanovic and Anelka saw efforts saved by Given, but the latter strike bounced in off Adebayor's back to give the Blues the lead.

Chelsea were moving the ball around well on the slick surface, but City responded well and but for a Ricardo Carvalho clearance off the line, would have drawn level when Cech flapped at a cross.

City were bombarding the penalty area with crosses and the anxious-looking Chelsea goalkeeper looked less than convincing on a number of occasions. Adebayor shot narrowly wide and Essien deflected a long range strike from Gareth Barry over the bar.

Adebayor then controversially equalised as Shaun Wright-Phillip's shot hit Micah Richards' hand before dropping to the Togo striker. City - nor referee Howard Webb - minded, and the goal was awarded, much to the visitors' dismay.

Before the half was done, Drogba sent a freekick inches wide with Given comprehensively beaten, but it was through a similar opportunity for Carlos Tevez that the hosts took the lead early in the second half.

Moments after Ivanovic had saved his goalkeeper's blushes once again, Tevez fired home from the edge of the area to give City a second goal that, in fairness, their performance had warranted. Chelsea were furious - the freekick was given for an apparent foul by Carvalho though replays suggested the Portuguese won the ball.

Juliano Belletti and John Mikel Obi soon came on as Chelsea switched to a more attacking system with Lampard pushing forward as a second attacking midfielder. They were soon again in their grove and Deco's freekick was headed just wide by Ivanovic, before Drogba failed to connect with the ball properly under pressure from Kolo Touré and headed the wrong side of the post.

Chelsea were handed a lifeline with a penalty decision after Drogba was tripped by substitute Onuoha, but Given sent the home support into raptures as Lampard's weak spot-kick was well saved by the Irishman. Drogba then poked wide after Essien's incisive pass had found him well-placed, before captain John Terry limped off injured to complete a poor evening for Ancelotti's men.

Chelsea have two home games against APOEL and Everton as they look to bounce back. Beware the backlash.

___________________________________________________________________

Man City (4-4-2): Given; Richards (Onuoha 68), Touré ©, Lescott, Bridge (Kompany 75); Wright-Phillips, De Jong, Barry, Robinho (Zabaleta 90); Tevez, Adebayor.

Chelsea (4-3-1-2): Cech; Ivanovic, Carvalho (Belletti 63), Terry © (Malouda 88) A Cole; Essien; Ballack (Mikel 63), Lampard; Deco; Anelka, Drogba.

The TalkChelsea.net Star Man was Manchester City's number 32; Carlos Tevez