Chelsea maintain their unbeaten streak for the eighth week in a row after coming from behind in the second half at the Etihad. Gary Cahill’s own goal just before half time gave City the lead, only to be cancelled out by an amazing counter attacking play from the Blues. Costa, Hazard and Willian were on the scoresheet to steer Chelsea three points clear at the top of the table.
This was the second consecutive time the Blues came from behind to snatch victory. Fabregas made his second appearance in the season courtesy of a Nemanja Matic injury. Apart from this, Chelsea played with the same 3-4-3. City had Toure on the bench and competed with Chelsea’s famous 3-4-3 now with their own 3-4-3.
Both sides made inroads into each other’s box but with no finishing at either ends. City had an early goal ruled out for off-side. Hazard saw his shot flash passed Bravo’s goal and another aerial assist from Fabregas found Hazard which he chose to pass instead of shooting. Aguero, Silva and KdB started becoming more involved as the game progressed. The Argentine attacker saw his close range shot blocked by Blues captain Gary Cahill.
The pressure started to take a toll on Chelsea as Jesus Navas made more runs on the right flank. One of his trademark runs was deflected in by Cahill’s intercepting foot and saw the back of Courtois’s goal. City could have doubled the lead however, thanks to an excellent save by Courtois, KdB was denied.
Conte replaced Pedro with Willian just four minutes in to the second half. City wasted yet another chance when a sloppy backpass from Alonso created confusion and the ball fell kindly for Aguero who saw his shot blocked off the line by Cahill.
Major talking points as the two shades of Blues compete
City’s chances were piling up and went begging. De Bruyne hit the bar from close range from a Navas cross. From there on, the Blues made City pay for their wastefulness as Fabregas lofted a ball for Costa who out powered Otamendi and twisted and turned and found the back of the net with a beautiful shot.
Nine minutes after the equalizer, another City attack led to a Chelsea counter. Costa found Willian who made a sharp run into the City box unmarked and found the bottom corner of Bravo’s goal to give Chelsea the lead.
In the final fifteen minutes, Toure was introduced by Pep along with Iheanacho while Conte withdrew Costa and brought on Chalobah. The high pressing of City left them exposed at the back yet again and the Blues pounced on another counter attack, this time Hazard made a run into the box and opened his body up to send Bravo the opposite way and shot to his bottom left. 1-3.
Things started getting ugly as City started getting frustrated in the last minutes. Aguero made a viscous tackle on David Luiz which led to him getting a direct red and missing the next couple of games. Fernandinho didn’t do himself or his side any favors when he grabbed Cesc’s face which was spotted by the referee and he too was sent off.
A lot of talking points from the clash however no denying the fact that Chelsea have now clearly announced their title aspirations and have backed those aspirations with back to back eight wins. Chelsea have overcome sides like Leicester, Spurs, United and West Ham in these eight wins. Undoubtedly some of the toughest competitors.
