Carlos Tevez

Manchester City ended Chelsea’s back to back win record for the season with a 1-0 win at Eastlands today. After starting the season with five straightforward wins, this was Chelsea’s first real test, with former Manchester United striker Carlos Tevez in full form.

City manager Roberto Mancini had said before the game that everyone expects Chelsea to win the league easily, but while they may still win it, we just can’t throw our hopes a way of making an upset.

Mancini’s side restricted Chelsea to long-range efforts, and at the same time showed some classy defence, and took advantage of a rare break just before the hour to take the lead through Carlos Tevez who, after his not so good final season at Man United, has now scored 25 goals in his last 29 Premier League games. That certainly shows the man’s in full form!

City began well, Tevez driving a speculative shot just wide, and Chelsea goalie Cech being called into an ugly flap to divert a James Milner free kick from wide on the left away from danger.

It was though, a cagey opening, with the 4-3-3 formation of both the teams canceling each other, the first corner didn’t arrive until the 24th minute.

It went to City, but it was Chelsea who had the first real chance to score, as they took their first corner short to Drogba, who crossed to the back post where Anelka headed back across goal and Bran Ivanovic headed against the bar.

The Serbian international then got to the rebound first, but Joe Hart saved, diving to his right. It wasn’t a sloppy game, and the quality of the passing was excellent, but equally there was rarely much of a goal threat on either sides.

It remained goalless at half-time, the first time Chelsea had gone in at 0-0 at half-time since December 26, 2009 against Birmingham; the second-half was a little more open. Anelka curved a shot just wide form 25 metres, then David Silva, quiet until then, drew a smart save from Cech at his near post.

In the 59th minute it was City who took the lead. Ramires was caught in possession by a combo of Milner and Toure, and as Tevez broke, Silva made a fine unprecedented run to draw John Terry away.

Tevez advanced and struck a low shot through Ashley Cole’s legs to get the back of the net and in the fifth game in succession in which he’d scored against Chelsea. Essien flashed a couple of long-range efforts just wide and Alex headed wide from close range, but City’s defence, in which Vincent Kompany was excellent, remained solid.

This loss for Chelsea certainly gives Manchester United a chance to lessen the difference in the points table in the usual competition of both the teams right from the start of the season till the very end.

By: Devesh D. Bhuwad

Tags: Carlos Tevez, Chelsea, Football, Manchester City, Manchester United, Sports, Sports World, World Sports