Manchester City – Chelsea

1. <b>Good afternoon.</b> We will be providing minute-by-minute commentary of Manchester City's Premier League meeting with Chelsea, which kicks off at 13.30 GMT. Team news to follow...

2. <b>Manchester City:</b> Hart, Zabaleta, Kolo Toure, Nastasic, Clichy, Garcia, Milner, Rodwell, Silva, Yaya Toure, Aguero.

3. <b>Chelsea:</b> Cech, Ivanovic, Cahill, Luiz, Cole, Mikel, Lampard, Ramires, Mata, Hazard, Ba.

4. Good egg Jon Carter has previewed today's game. <a href="http://espnfc.com/uk/en/preview/345617/preview.html?soccernet=true&cc=5739">This way</a> for his words on the Etihad Stadium encounter.

5. Furthermore, City manager Roberto Mancini believes cross-town rivals Manchester United, who beat QPR 2-0 yesterday, are lucky to be 15 points clear at the top of the Premier League. <a href="http://espnfc.com/news/story/_/id/1352519/manchester-city-boss-roberto-mancini-says-united-have-been-lucky?cc=5739">Read the full story here</a>

6. Manchester United's win at Loftus Road yesterday means the best City scenario this afternoon would still see them 12 points behind United. Defeat, though, would have third-placed Chelsea only a point adrift of Mancini's men.

7. Chelsea have been an improved prospect in recent weeks, and remain in contention for the Europa League after squeezing past Sparta Prague at Stamford Bridge in midweek.

8. Interim manager Rafa Benitez has made it clear that he wants the Blues to take second place in the Premier League - and they would take a big step towards doing that if they could win in Manchester today.

9. A shade over five minutes until kick-off - this is a big afternoon for both clubs.

10. The players are in the tunnel, with referee Andre Marriner getting ready to lead them onto the pitch.

11. And here we go with the handshakes. City can - surely - only be better than they were against Southampton, when a limp team performance littered with individual errors saw them slump to a 3-1 defeat on the south coast.

12. 1'

    City get the match under way, and the ball is quickly out for a Chelsea throw-in, which Cole will take.

13. 1'

    An early chance for City as Chelsea give the ball away. It falls to Yaya Toure on the edge of the box, but his low effort is straight at Cech.

14. 2'

    The home side have possession again, and are just playing the ball patiently around the back line.

15. 2'

    Forward it comes, and Gary Cahill ushers it out of play on the left as Aguero chases.

16. 3'

    Corner for City - a ball is lofted in towards Aguero and Ivanovic nods it behind.

17. 4'

    Kolo Toure wins the ball and plays it towards Clichy, who can't keep that one on. Chelsea throw.

18. 4'

    It's been a bright start from Mancini's men - and a bright start for Southampton, too, who have taken the lead in the day's other Premier League game at St James' Park.

19. 5'

    Cahill lumps the ball aimlessly downfield. Chelsea are back on the defensive as it comes back into their area, and Cech hacks it away.

20. 5'

    We've hardly seen anything of the visitors on the ball so far - they have barely been able to string two passes together.

21. 6'

    Ivanovic plays it long and Garcia cuts it out. Rodwell takes over and City want a foul as Silva goes down. Nothing doing, says Mr Marriner.

22. 7'

    A bit of Chelsea possession now - neat stuff on halfway, but they are soon forced backwards again.

23. 7'

    A neat move involving Milner allows City to cross, but the ball in from Clichy is a poor one.

24. 8'

    The Blues come forward and win the first corner of the game. City stand firm and clear their lines well.

25. 8'

    Ba chases a ball forward down the right, and Clichy does well to fend him away from that one.

26. 9'

    Milner trips over the ball but then wins it back and gets in a good cross from the right. Cech claims well for Chelsea.

27. 9'

    Zabaleta does well, winning the ball and charging forward, but his work is wasted as an attempted cross is then blasted behind.

28. 10'

    Ten minutes in, and the ball is back with Cech. He plays it forward, and then Mata plays it wide to Ivanovic, whose cross is cleared.

29. 11'

    Another cross comes in for the Blues - a more dangerous one, but again City defend well.

30. 12'

    Ramires is on the ball, with Aguero briefly on the floor after a collision. Chelsea lose it, and then Aguero gets a talking-to for a mid-air clash with Ivanovic.

31. 12'

    Mata almost wriggles his way into space inside the City area, and is only just crowded out.

32. 13'

    City have it back, and Garcia finds Aguero, whose ball in is cut out by Chelsea.

33. 14'

    City come again, though, and this time the ball deflects off David Luiz and behind for a corner.

34. 14'

    Silva to take it, from the right. Nastasic meets and heads it down. Cech saves, but the whistle had gone.

35. 15'

    Cole and Lampard combine, and then the ball is funnelled back to Luiz. It goes forward aimlessly, and this is all a little bit shapeless.

36. 16'

    In a few home games this season, City have appeared unable to force the pace and the issue in the way they did in their title-winning campaign.

37. 17'

    Perhaps now - Milner feeds Zabaleta on the left, and he crosses. The ball in - again - is dealt with well by the visiting back line.

38. 17'

    A bit more tempo - Silva finds Yaya Toure, whose effort is deflected behind off Cahill. Corner to City.

39. 18'

    Milner plays it short. Silva feeds Rodwell inside the area and he tries a shot from an angle, which is blocked.

40. 18'

    Then Aguero gets in as Chelsea lose the ball. Silva finds him inside the area, he gets around Cech - and then overruns it from a tight angle. The best chance of the afternoon has just gone begging.

41. 19'

    But that was a bit more like it from City, and the crowd have responded. Rodwell challenges Ramires heavily but fairly, and the Chelsea man is down. The crowd don't like that reaction.

42. 20'

    He's back on his feet now, though. His side come forward with Ba, but the striker is crowded out.

43. 21'

    Straight to the other end - another City cross, this time from the left, brings another corner as Cahill slices it behind.

44. 21'

    Chelsea clear and the ball goes forward long towards the lonely Ba, who isn't getting much change from the City defence or support from his Chelsea colleagues.

45. 22'

    Mata - of all people - clears as Silva cuts the ball back into the area. As City come again, the cross goes behind.

46. 22'

    A chorus of Blue Moon from the home fans, who are doing their best to rouse their side into goalscoring action.

47. 23'

    Chelsea have a free-kick for a foul on Ramires inside their own half. Hazard finds some space on the left, and then Lampard works it to Ivanovic...

48. 24'

    Ramires crosses, very deep, and City get that one away. But Zabaleta fouls Hazard, and they can play it back in from the free-kick.

49. 25'

    Cahill tries to cross from the left of the area, and City block. But that was more like it from Chelsea - a bit of attacking intent.

50. 25'

    Cole and Mikel combine on the left, but the Blues have to work the ball back into their own half. Cole scampers forward again. Zabaleta is again adjudged to have fouled Hazard, and gets a talking to from ref Marriner.

51. 26'

    Free-kick to Chelsea: Mikel floats it in, and City head it out.

52. 26'

    Forward again, and long, for Ba. When Chelsea pick up the pieces, another foul by City in midfield gives them a free-kick.

53. 27'

    Chelsea are suddenly back into this game, and their football is becoming more positive with every passing minute.

54. 28'

    And as I say that, Lampard gets his free-kick all wrong, hitting it in the general direction of the centre of Manchester.

55. 29'

    Rodwell hassles Cahill, and when the ball comes out Nastasic fouls Ba. Then Rodwell clatters Ivanovic on the touchline.

56. 29'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> And that's the first yellow card of the game for the City midfielder. Another decision that hasn't gone down at all well with the home faithful.

57. 30'

    Half an hour gone, and it's stalemate at the Etihad. Aguero looks to change that, getting down the left and crossing...

58. 30'

    ...Rodwell attacks it, but can't keep the header down and it poses no problems for Cech.

59. 31'

    The Chelsea 'keeper takes the goal-kick long, and Hazard controls with some neat skill. Like much else in this half, however, it comes to nothing.

60. 32'

    City have the throw on half-way. Toure picks up possession and starts a trademark run. Cole makes an excellent challenge to nick the ball behind for a corner...

61. 33'

    Silva again looks for Rodwell, and it's a good ball in - Chelsea at full stretch to get that one away.

62. 33'

    Newcastle have levelled the score against Southampton at St James' - Moussa Sissoko with that strike. Two goals there, no goals here.

63. 34'

    Chelsea offside. Hart dashes from his goal to take the free-kick and the rolls it sideways to Clichy. City play it forward and Chelsea just thump it away.

64. 35'

    Ten minutes until the break, and there have been few signs of a breakthrough at either end. Mikel plays it wide inside his own half, and Chelsea are content to go back to Cech, and then out to Luiz.

65. 36'

    And when City do get possession back, they are giving the ball away. It's just not happening for them at the moment.

66. 37'

    Ramires challenges Yay Toure heavily and high. He might go into the book for that...

67. 37'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Indeed he does - one yellow card apiece at the Etihad.

68. 38'

    City cross deep from the left - Aguero tries to make something of it, but Chelsea usher that one away.

69. 39'

    Milner crosses and Zabaleta volleys. It's worrying Cech, but hits a defender before it can get to him.

70. 39'

    Cahill was the defender who got his head to that effort - a very good block from the Chelsea man.

71. 39'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Kolo Toure challenges Mata and is adjudged to have committed a booking-worthy offence.

72. 40'

    Corner to Chelsea in the meantime. Silva is back to clear his lines for Manchester City.

73. 41'

    Rodwell tries his luck for City from long range. It's well hit, and Cech tips it over the top.

74. 42'

    From the corner, Rodwell gets a header - Cech clutches it.

75. 42'

    Better from City again. Chelsea comes forward and Zabaleta fouls Cole.

76. 42'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> He's in the book too, and Chelsea have a free-kick in a dangerous crossing position...

77. 43'

    Hazard's ball in is dreadful. City clear that one easily.

78. 43'

    Papiss Cisse has another goal for Newcastle at St James' - the hosts have turned that game around.

79. 44'

    Lampard gets the ball out wide to Ramires on the right - City defend their lines well.

80. 45'

    We are into added time at the end of the first half. There will be two extra minutes.

81. 45'

    Cole on the ball for Chelsea in what may well be the last move of the half - Chelsea lose it, win it back and lose it again. Ramires runs into the area, but his touch is a bit too heavy and the threat fizzles out.

82. 45'

    <b>And that's the half-time whistle - stalemate at the Etihad at the break.</b>

83. 46'

    The teams are back out for the second half, which will be under way shortly.

84. 46'

    Chelsea start us off - will the second half bring more in the way of attacking threat?

85. 46'

    The Blues play a long ball forward towards Ba, and Kolo Toure deals with that one calmly.

86. 46'

    Then Cahill looks for Ba, and Nastasic is the defender who deals with things for City this time.

87. 47'

    Rodwell, Yaya Toure and Clichy combine to fashion a crossing position for City on the left. IT's cleared, and Silva crosses to Aguero, whose spectacular scissors kick flies wide.

88. 48'

    Good movement there from City, and that would have been some finish had Aguero been able to steer it on target.

89. 49'

    The ball falls to Lampard, who takes a swipe from miles out and sees the ball ricochet off a defender.

90. 49'

    Mata crosses from the left towards Ba, and City get it away.

91. 50'

    Yaya Toure feeds a ball into the area towards Aguero. It's just too far in front of him, and Cech slides out to grab that one.

92. 51'

    <b>PENALTY TO CHELSEA - Ba chases a ball, touches it away from Hart, and the goalkeeper's challenge is clumsy.</b>

93. 51'

    Lampard to take it...

94. 51'

    <b>SAVED! </b>Lampard hits it low, and Hart makes amends, pushing it away.

95. 52'

    The corner comes in towards Cahill, whose header lands on the roof of the net.

96. 53'

    By far the most significant moment of the game so far, and a crucial intervention by City goalkeeper Joe Hart means we still don't have a goal here.

97. 53'

    Another goal at Newcastle - Rickie Lambert has levelled things up for Southampton. It's two each there.

98. 53'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Carlos Tevez is on for Manchester City - to a big reception - with Jack Rodwell the man to make way.

99. 54'

    An early change for Mancini - can that give his side a more unpredictable edge?

100. 55'

     Aguero scampers into the area for City, and Cahill does well to put the ball out for a corner.

101. 55'

     In it comes, but Chelsea deal with that comfortably enough.

102. 56'

     Ramires fouls Nastasic inside the City half - free-kick to the home side.

103. 57'

     Again, Aguero gets into the area. Cech comes hurtling out, and the City man floats his attempted chip over the bar.

104. 57'

     Great crossfield ball from Lampard to Mata, but City shut the door on the Spaniard.

105. 58'

     Signs that this game is coming to life now, but still we await the breakthrough.

106. 59'

     City try and intricate set of one-twos inside the Chelsea area. but the ball is put out for a throw.

107. 59'

     Then Silva swipes a shot from the edge of the area, and it's miles over and miles wide.

108. 60'

     Ramires comes forward for Chelsea and wins a corner on the hour.

109. 60'

     City get it away, but this will be coming back again - the home side clear again and break with Tevez...

110. 61'

     ...but all in vain. They go backwards to try and get forwards, and it fizzles gently out.

111. 62'

     Ivanovic feeds Ramires, who takes too long inside the area after a lovely counter-attack. The Chelsea man then slumps to the ground. If that was an attempt to win a penalty, it was pretty poor.

112. 63'

     <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL: And City make him pay straight away - Yaya Toure drives into the area and curls a superb low shot past Cech and into the corner.</b>

113. 63'

     A great goal from the midfielder, and the home side have the breakthrough.

114. 64'

     So Chelsea, who could have led, are now behind. What can they muster in response?

115. 65'

     City try to move forward again, but the pass to Aguero is poor - overhit and out of play.

116. 65'

     Garcia challenges well in midfield - throw to Chelsea.

117. 66'

     But they lose it, and City again come forward and cross. Cech clutches that one.

118. 66'

     It looks as though Rafa Benitez may respond to his side's deficit by throwing Oscar into the fray.

119. 67'

     Oscar is getting ready on the touchline, but Chelsea are coming forward without him. Hazard crosses dangerously and wins them a corner.

120. 68'

     <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Oscar is on, and Hazard is off.

121. 69'

     Chelsea's corner comes to nothing. When they win it back, Luiz gives it away spectacularly carelessly.

122. 70'

     Silva, not to be outdone, gives it away himself as City try to break forward.

123. 70'

     <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Lampard, having missed the penalty, is also off, making way for Victor Moses.

124. 71'

     And there has been a fifth goal at Newcastle - the home side back in front thanks to a Cabaye penalty.

125. 71'

     Offside against Aguero as City look to break once again.

126. 72'

     And now Luiz drives through the centre circle for Chelsea, but he's robbed.

127. 72'

     Twenty minutes or so remain for Chelsea to try and find an equaliser, but City have the ball again.

128. 73'

     Goalscorer Toure swings a nice ball out to Zabaleta and then tries to play a one-two with the onrushing Milner. The touch is too heavy, though, and the ball is behind for a goal-kick.

129. 74'

     Ivanovic and Mata link in midfield for Chelsea, but then they go wrong with an attempted one-two, the ball forward far too far ahead of Ashley Cole on the left.

130. 75'

     Into the final 15 minutes. Chelsea in possession. Mata finds Ivanovic, who is unable to get a shot away from just inside the area.

131. 76'

     At the other end, Cech comes out to claim a misdirected ball forward and try to get his side on the move again.

132. 76'

     Ashley Cole is fouled by Silva, and Chelsea switch the play to Moses on the right. He crosses low, and it's cleared.

133. 77'

     A few mutterings from the home fans as Chelsea have possession again. Kolo Toure gets in to put the ball out of play, though.

134. 78'

     Ramires and Cahill, just inside the City half. Oscar tries to get on the end of a chip forward, but the pace on the ball defeats him and it's out of play.

135. 79'

     Mata controls a long ball down the right superbly, but he's short of support and the threat disappears.

136. 80'

     Ten minutes remaining at the Etihad, and City on track for a narrow victory.

137. 81'

     Moses and Mata try a one-two, but Kolo Toure is in the way.

138. 81'

     <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Fernando Torres is on for the Blues, replacing Mikel.

139. 82'

     He finds himself in a crossing position on the left, but the effort is weak and easily brought away by City.

140. 83'

     They had a chance to break, but the ball forward from Tevez is poor and trundles out for a throw.

141. 83'

     Another goal at Newcastle - the home side are now 4-2 up on Southampton thanks to an own goal.

142. 83'

     A very unlucky moment for the Saints, as a Shaw clearance ricochets off team-mate Jos Hooiveld and into the net.

143. 84'

     Another poor pass from Tevez, out to the right and wildly overhit.

144. 85'

     Ramires tries to get forward down the right - it eludes him and City have a chance as the ball falls back to Tevez on the edge of the area...

145. 85'

     <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL: And he hits a brilliant shot from the edge of the D, blasting past Cech and into the corner. Wonderful finish, and that's the three points wrapped up for City.</b>

146. 86'

     No doubt about the outcome now. Ramires makes a rather forlorn run forward, and falls over. City bring it away and Aguero has possession down the left.

147. 87'

     Free-kick to Chelsea in their own half. Whatever happens now is too little, too late. The big 'what if' for them surrounds Lampard's failure to beat Joe Hart from the penalty spot.

148. 88'

     Luiz fouls Yaya Toure. Free-kick to City on the right, in a crossing position.

149. 89'

     Milner looks like the man most interested, but in in the end it's played back and City lose possession.

150. 90'

     Ramires runs forward but holds the ball too long and, by the time he gets round to trying to feed it to Moses on the left, Nastasic can block him.

151. 90'

     The City man took a bit of a knock in that challenge. He gets a spot of treatment, but he's fine.

152. 90'

     <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Aguero is off and Nasri on for City.

153. 90'

     There will be four minutes of added time, and there will be another City change, it seems.

154. 90'

     David Luiz tries a shot from just outside the area, and blazes it well over the top.

155. 90'

     <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> David Silva is off and Joleon Lescott on as Mancini does make one more very late change.

156. 90'

     Cahill hacks clear as the ball almost bounces back towards the City attackers. Seconds remaining now.

157. 90'

     Ashley Cole hits a half-hearted effort from the edge of the area. It's blocked, and there could be one more break on for City here...

158. 90'

     They win a free-kick on the byline, but it comes to nothing.

159. 90'

     <b>And that's the last action - the whistle goes. City deserved a win that puts them seven points in front of Chelsea and 12 behind United - but the Blues will wonder what might have been after Hart saved Lampard's penalty.</b>

Sağlayıcının güncel lig tablosudur; maçın oynandığı tarihteki sıralama olmayabilir.