Chelsea 2 - 4 Man City

Bellamy finished a blistering run at goal with a strike from a tight angle

By Paul Fletcher

Manchester City inflicted Chelsea's first home Premier League defeat this season in a game which began with Wayne Bridge refusing John Terry's handshake.

Frank Lampard's low strike put Chelsea ahead but Carlos Tevez equalised after a long ball was not dealt with, before Craig Bellamy shot beyond Hilario.

Tevez scored a penalty after Juliano Belletti saw red for a trip on Gareth Barry before a Bellamy tap-in.

Michael Ballack also saw red and Lampard scored a consolation penalty.

City had failed to score in their previous seven visits to Stamford Bridge, while Chelsea had only conceded eight at home in the Premier League all season.

But those statistics were rendered meaningless on an afternoon of triumph for City coach and former Inter Milan boss Roberto Mancini, who pitted his wits in the Premier League for the first time against ex-AC Milan manager Carlo Ancelotti.

City saw their hopes of silverware this season ended by their FA Cup defeat at Stoke in midweek but they boosted their prospects of a top-four finish by completing the double over Chelsea for the first time since 1957.

606: DEBATE

Absolutely brilliant - Man City humiliated Chelsea

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With Manchester United not in league action this weekend, victory would have taken Chelsea four points clear at the top of the Premier League.

But it was a disastrous afternoon for Ancelotti, whose side had only dropped points in one previous home game this season, a 3-3 draw with Everton.

What's more, his team lacked discipline after the break and were vulnerable in defence, with Hilario looking particularly suspect.

All eyes before kick-off were focused on Terry and Bridge, who came face-to-face for the first time since allegations about the former's relationship with the latter's ex-partner.

As it turned out Bridge, who this week announced his retirement from international football, shunned Terry's outstretched hand.

There was an anti-climatic feel to the start of the game, which was low on excitement but, on a heavy Stamford Bridge surface, high in mis-placed passes and stodgy midfield play.

Both sides set up with three across midfield operating behind three more attack orientated players but Chelsea were the superior team and enjoyed the better of precious few early openings.

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Mancini praises Man City's focus

Malouda drilled a thunderous long-range strike narrowly over the crossbar, Given palmed clear from Joe Cole, Drogba headed over and Vincent Kompany almost sliced an attempted clearance into his own net.

City seemed content to surrender territory and invite pressure - and Chelsea gradually forced some clear openings.

Drogba shot disappointingly over with a shot on the turn but Lampard made no mistake after running into space and collecting a precise pass from Joe Cole before drilling the ball low across goal from 16 yards.

All City had mustered was a tame Adam Johnson free-kick but Tevez, on his return to the side after compassionate leave in Argentina, equalised with a smash and grab effort on the stroke of half-time that epitomised all the Argentine's tenacious qualities.

Chelsea were partial architects of their own downfall as Jon Obi Mikel headed a long Bridge clearance towards his own goal but Tevez then repeatedly managed to hold off both Terry and Ricardo Carvalho before shooting limply beyond the outstretched but ultimately futile dive of Hilario.

City might even have led at the break after a Craig Bellamy free-kick deep in injury time was met by an unmarked Joleon Lescott but the defender headed wide.

Bellamy, anonymous in the opening half, stunned the home crowd with his goal minutes after the restart.

A Chelsea attack broke down and Mikel found himself isolated against Bellamy marauding down the left flank.

It was an unfair contest and Bellamy burst into the box before shooting into the bottom corner from a very tight angle for another goal that was, at least in part, goalkeeping error.

There was little sign of an equaliser for the home side and it took a last-gasp clearance from Branislav Ivanovic to prevent Bellamy extending City's lead.

Ancelotti's desperation was reflected in the fact that Drogba, Nicolas Anelka, Daniel Sturridge and Salomon Kalou were all on the field for the final 20 minutes.

But Tevez made it 3-1 for City with a powerful penalty into the corner after Barry had got the wrong side of Belletti, who tripped his opponent.

Ballack was dismissed after picking up a second yellow for a lunge on Tevez before Bellamy tapped home unmarked at the far post after 87 minutes following a low pass across goal from Shaun Wright-Phillips.

There was still more drama and Given saved from Anelka, who was later brought down by Barry, allowing Lampard to end the game with a consolation penalty.

Live text and stats

Saturday, 27 February 2010

Premier League

Home Team	Score	Away Team	Time
Chelsea	2-4	Man City	R
(HT 1-1)
Lampard 42 Lampard (pen) 90+1		Tevez 45+1 Bellamy 51 Tevez (pen) 76 Bellamy 87

Chelsea

40 Hilario
02 Ivanovic yellow card
06 Carvalho (Kalou 69)
26 Terry yellow card
08 Lampard
10 J Cole (Sturridge 60)
12 Mikel (Belletti 60 red card)
13 Ballack yellow card, red card
15 Malouda
11 Drogba
39 Anelka

Ref: DeanAtt: 41,814

CHELSEA

MAN CITY

Possession

Chelsea 51%
Man City 49%

Attempts on target

Chelsea 13
Man City 6

Attempts off target

Chelsea 10
Man City 2

Corners

Chelsea 3
Man City 2

Fouls

Chelsea 21
Man City 13

Final Result
Full Time
90:00+5:06 The referee brings the game to a close.
90:00+4:48 The offside flag is raised against Roque Santa Cruz. Free kick taken by Florent Malouda.
90:00+3:06 Unfair challenge on Salomon Kalou by Nigel De Jong results in a free kick. The free kick is swung in left-footed by Florent Malouda, Branislav Ivanovic gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Joleon Lescott. Shay Given restarts play with the free kick.
90:00+0:34 Assist by Nicolas Anelka.
90:00+0:34 GOAL - Frank Lampard:Chelsea 2 - 4 Man City Penalty taken right-footed by Frank Lampard and scored. Chelsea 2-4 Man City.
89:52 Gareth Barry gives away a Penalty for an unfair challenge on Nicolas Anelka.
89:09 Substitution Silvio Sylvinho replaces Carlos Tevez.
86:37 Assist by Shaun Wright-Phillips.
86:37 GOAL - Craig Bellamy:Chelsea 1 - 4 Man City Goal scored by Craig Bellamy from close in to the bottom left corner of the goal. Chelsea 1-4 Man City.
86:35 The ball is crossed by Shaun Wright-Phillips,
85:49 A cross is delivered by Salomon Kalou, Pablo Zabaleta manages to make a clearance.
85:02 Shot on goal by Salomon Kalou from just inside the area clears the crossbar.
84:10 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Nicolas Anelka by Vincent Kompany. Didier Drogba shoots direct from the free kick, Shay Given makes a comfortable save.
83:37 Inswinging corner taken right-footed by Didier Drogba from the left by-line to the near post, clearance made by Micah Richards.
83:25 Nicolas Anelka takes a shot. Shay Given makes a save.
82:37 Didier Drogba takes a shot. Save made by Shay Given.
80:34 Joleon Lescott takes the free kick.
80:34 Sent off Michael Ballack is sent off by the referee.
80:23 Michael Ballack concedes a free kick for a foul on Carlos Tevez.
79:42 Shot from just outside the box by Shaun Wright-Phillips misses to the right of the goal.
78:44 Frank Lampard takes a shot. Save by Shay Given.
Correction - 77:22 Substitution Roque Santa Cruz is brought on as a substitute for Wayne Bridge.
77:22 Substitution Wayne Bridge goes off and Roque Santa Cruz comes on.
75:56 Assist by Gareth Barry.
75:56 GOAL - Carlos Tevez:Chelsea 1 - 3 Man City Carlos Tevez scores a placed penalty. Chelsea 1-3 Man City.
74:42 Sent off Juliano Belletti sent off.
74:32 Juliano Belletti gives away a Penalty for an unfair challenge on Gareth Barry.
Correction - 73:56 Michael Ballack takes a shot. Save by Shay Given.
73:56 Michael Ballack takes a shot. Shay Given makes a save.
73:16 Michael Ballack produces a cross.
70:38 Branislav Ivanovic challenges Carlos Tevez unfairly and gives away a free kick. The free kick is swung in right-footed by Craig Bellamy, clearance made by Frank Lampard. Outswinging corner taken right-footed by Craig Bellamy from the right by-line, clearance by Didier Drogba.
70:07 Micah Richards challenges Salomon Kalou unfairly and gives away a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Frank Lampard.
69:27 Craig Bellamy takes a shot. Comfortable save by Henrique Hilario.
68:43 Substitution Ricardo Carvalho leaves the field to be replaced by Salomon Kalou.
68:31 The ball is sent over by Nicolas Anelka, Vincent Kompany manages to make a clearance.
68:09 Daniel Sturridge fouled by Craig Bellamy, the ref awards a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Daniel Sturridge.
67:18 Booking Michael Ballack is cautioned.
66:47 Effort from inside the six-yard box by Didier Drogba goes wide right of the target.
66:31 Nicolas Anelka takes a shot. Save made by Shay Given.
65:59 Centre by Gareth Barry, Foul by Micah Richards on Henrique Hilario, free kick awarded. Henrique Hilario takes the free kick.
65:12 Corner taken left-footed by Gareth Barry from the left by-line, Didier Drogba manages to make a clearance.
63:53 The ball is sent over by Daniel Sturridge.
60:54 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Joleon Lescott by Didier Drogba. Direct free kick taken by Vincent Kompany.
60:29 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Carlos Tevez by Branislav Ivanovic. Wayne Bridge takes the direct free kick.
59:16 Substitution Joe Cole leaves the field to be replaced by Daniel Sturridge.
59:16 Substitution Juliano Belletti is brought on as a substitute for Mikel.
59:16 Substitution Shaun Wright-Phillips on for Adam Johnson.
59:16 The referee blows for offside against Nicolas Anelka. Indirect free kick taken by Shay Given.
58:10 Carlos Tevez challenges Branislav Ivanovic unfairly and gives away a free kick. Michael Ballack restarts play with the free kick.
57:47 Wayne Bridge takes the free kick.
57:47 Booking Branislav Ivanovic receives a yellow card for unsporting behaviour.
57:31 Unfair challenge on Gareth Barry by Branislav Ivanovic results in a free kick.
55:39 Nigel De Jong fouled by Didier Drogba, the ref awards a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Craig Bellamy.
55:15 Gareth Barry fouled by Joe Cole, the ref awards a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Wayne Bridge.
53:18 Micah Richards challenges Michael Ballack unfairly and gives away a free kick. Direct strike on goal from the free kick comes in from Didier Drogba. Frank Lampard takes a outswinging corner from the right by-line to the near post, Pablo Zabaleta makes a clearance.
50:35 Assist by Gareth Barry.
50:35 GOAL - Craig Bellamy:Chelsea 1 - 2 Man City Craig Bellamy finds the back of the net with a goal from inside the area to the bottom right corner of the goal. Chelsea 1-2 Man City.
50:17 The ball is swung over by Joe Cole.
Correction - 48:37 Wayne Bridge has a direct shot on goal from the free kick.
Correction - 48:37 Booking Pablo Zabaleta booked for dissent.
48:37 Wayne Bridge produces a shot on goal direct from the free kick.
48:37 Booking Vincent Kompany receives a caution for leaving the field of play without the referee's permission.
48:01 Booking John Terry goes into the referee's book.
Correction - 47:57 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Adam Johnson by John Terry.
47:57 John Terry challenges Adam Johnson unfairly and gives away a free kick.
47:17 John Terry concedes a free kick for a foul on Carlos Tevez. Free kick taken by Nigel De Jong.
45:01 The match restarts for the second half.
Half Time
45:00+3:46 The ref blows to signal half-time.
45:00+2:29 Ricardo Carvalho challenges Craig Bellamy unfairly and gives away a free kick. Centre by Craig Bellamy, Joleon Lescott has a headed effort at goal from close range which goes wide of the left-hand upright.
45:00+1:29 Nicolas Anelka fouled by Micah Richards, the ref awards a free kick. Free kick taken by Nicolas Anelka.
45:00+0:26 GOAL - Carlos Tevez:Chelsea 1 - 1 Man City Carlos Tevez finds the back of the net with a goal from close in to the bottom left corner of the goal. Chelsea 1-1 Man City.
45:00+0:14 Effort on goal by Frank Lampard from 12 yards.
45:00+0:09 Joe Cole takes a shot. Shay Given makes a save.
44:14 Free kick awarded for a foul by Michael Ballack on Wayne Bridge. Wayne Bridge restarts play with the free kick.
41:41 Assist by Joe Cole.
41:41 GOAL - Frank Lampard:Chelsea 1 - 0 Man City Goal scored by Frank Lampard from inside the box to the bottom left corner of the goal. Chelsea 1-0 Man City.
40:54 Foul by Nigel De Jong on Michael Ballack, free kick awarded. Direct free kick taken by Michael Ballack.
39:33 Nicolas Anelka takes a shot. Frank Lampard gets a block in. Florent Malouda produces a left-footed shot from outside the penalty area and misses left.
38:19 Foul by Mikel on Gareth Barry, free kick awarded. Wayne Bridge restarts play with the free kick.
36:32 Unfair challenge on Pablo Zabaleta by Didier Drogba results in a free kick. Joleon Lescott restarts play with the free kick.
35:44 The ball is crossed by Branislav Ivanovic, clearance by Vincent Kompany. Frank Lampard produces a left-footed shot from just outside the box that goes wide right of the target. Effort on goal by Didier Drogba from deep inside the area goes harmlessly over the bar.
34:32 Micah Richards challenges Nicolas Anelka unfairly and gives away a free kick. Free kick crossed left-footed by Florent Malouda.
31:16 Frank Lampard crosses the ball, Didier Drogba challenges Pablo Zabaleta unfairly and gives away a free kick. Free kick taken by Shay Given.
31:07 A cross is delivered by Ricardo Carvalho, Joleon Lescott manages to make a clearance.
30:43 Corner taken right-footed by Frank Lampard from the right by-line to the near post, Vincent Kompany manages to make a clearance.
30:35 A cross is delivered by Didier Drogba, clearance made by Vincent Kompany.
28:13 Nicolas Anelka takes a shot. Comfortable save by Shay Given.
25:32 Craig Bellamy is caught offside. Henrique Hilario takes the indirect free kick.
25:17 The referee blows for offside. Wayne Bridge takes the indirect free kick.
24:06 The ball is crossed by Branislav Ivanovic, Didier Drogba has a header from inside the six-yard box and clears the crossbar.
23:35 Craig Bellamy is ruled offside. Ricardo Carvalho takes the indirect free kick.
22:19 Unfair challenge on Pablo Zabaleta by Joe Cole results in a free kick. Vincent Kompany takes the free kick.
18:33 The ball is sent over by Joe Cole, blocked by Micah Richards.
17:56 Joe Cole takes a shot. Save by Shay Given.
16:23 Foul by Florent Malouda on Adam Johnson, free kick awarded. Strike on goal comes in from Adam Johnson from the free kick, comfortable save by Henrique Hilario.
15:44 Branislav Ivanovic produces a cross, save by Shay Given.
15:28 A cross is delivered by Branislav Ivanovic. Didier Drogba sends in a cross.
13:09 Micah Richards gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Didier Drogba. Didier Drogba takes the direct free kick. Frank Lampard takes a shot. Blocked by Nigel De Jong.
12:13 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Wayne Bridge by Branislav Ivanovic. Direct free kick taken by Gareth Barry.
11:19 Florent Malouda takes a shot from deep inside the box clearing the bar.
10:49 Branislav Ivanovic crosses the ball, clearance by Vincent Kompany.
9:35 Free kick awarded for a foul by Florent Malouda on Adam Johnson. Adam Johnson delivers the ball from the free kick left-footed from right wing.
8:11 Branislav Ivanovic takes a shot. Comfortable save by Shay Given.
7:14 Carlos Tevez handles the ball and concedes a free kick. Free kick taken by Mikel.
6:42 Frank Lampard challenges Pablo Zabaleta unfairly and gives away a free kick. Pablo Zabaleta takes the free kick.
5:08 Gareth Barry challenges Branislav Ivanovic unfairly and gives away a free kick. Michael Ballack takes the free kick.
4:29 Effort on goal by Frank Lampard from long range goes over the bar.
0:00 The match begins.

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Saturday, February 27, 2010