CHELSEA 2, MANCHESTER CITY 1
A glaring error by Joe Hart condemned City to another awayday defeat after Fernando Torres’ last minute winner. City will feel they deserved at least a point at Stamford Bridge after Sergio Aguero’s equaliser cancelled out Andrea Schurrle’s opener and Manuel Pellegrini’s men dominated much of the second half.
Hart, hardly tested during the game, rushed off his line prematurely after Willian’s late hopeful long punt was chased down by Torres. Matija Nastasic, paired with Martin Demichelis for the first time in defence this season, opted to head the ball back to to the space that Hart had just vacated but, with Hart committed, Torres nipped in and struck a blow to City’s title hopes. Had Hart stayed on his line it would have been an easy save but the mistake will reignite the debate over the England ‘keeper’s form.
Clear chances were few and far between in this absorbing contest although City can count themselves unlucky to fall behind to Andre Schurrle’s 33rd minute goal. Torres had already fluffed a golden chance to put Chelsea in the lead after 29 minutes when Ramires set him up but he snatched at the opportunity at his feet and slashed it over the crossbar.
There was no mistake four minutes later when Torres turned provider after beating Gael Clichy and squaring the ball for a tap-in by Schurrle.
The Spaniard was suitably encouraged enough to try his luck again and struck the bar in the 37th minute but City regrouped after the break.
Peter Cech was caught by an early shot by Aguero in the second half to level the scores in the 49th minute. David Silva and Samir Nasri combined down the left to provide Aguero with the chance. The Argentine hit his shot early and on the run and Cech allowed it past in at the near post – his 9th goal in 7 games in all competitions for the red hot striker.
Silva could have put City into the lead but Cech saved his effort with his feet in the 65th minute.
With time running out both sides seemed to have settled for a draw but Chelsea are the most prolific Premier League club in the last 15 minutes of a game. Torres gambled and Chelsea took all the points to the delight of Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho who celebrated extending his unbeaten Premier League home record at Chelsea to 65 games by leaping into the Stamford Bridge crowd.