The spiteful media were in overdrive predicting a bus parking performance from Chelsea but the reality was a performance of champions elect from Jose,Chelsea were outstanding from front to back and Mourinho was tactically spot on.
City had the majority of play in the opening quarter of an hour and missed a couple of gilt edged chances to go ahead but Chelsea grew into the game and the impressive Matic was winning the battle with Toure in the middle of the park while Hazard just looked a class apart terrorising Zabaleta.
It's often amazed me how often opposition coaches set their teams up allowing City the time and space they love to have on the ball and look bemused when they get a good hiding,Mourinho has clearly learnt from the likes of Bayern that we don't enjoy being pressed and Chelsea set about the task with relish,the days of City bullying Chelsea off the park are clearly a thing of the past.
The goal from ivanovic had been coming and City were hanging on by the time the half time whistle blew.
Second half I was hoping to see some evidence of a plan B from Pellegrini but it didn't materialise,perhaps the excuse of having to play the dreadful DeMichellis as a DM because no one else was fit enough can be mitigating circumstances but he clearly slows the tempo down for us which is a vital component of what makes city tick.
Negredo looked off the pace and we desperately missed Aguero running into the channels as the one dimensional attacking play was far too easy for defenders of Cahill and Terry's class to be bothered by.
Hardly the end of the world and a kick up the arse every now and again certainly won't do them any harm but tonight clearly illustrated that the title will be going right to the wire.
Regards PPLF
City had the majority of play in the opening quarter of an hour and missed a couple of gilt edged chances to go ahead but Chelsea grew into the game and the impressive Matic was winning the battle with Toure in the middle of the park while Hazard just looked a class apart terrorising Zabaleta.
It's often amazed me how often opposition coaches set their teams up allowing City the time and space they love to have on the ball and look bemused when they get a good hiding,Mourinho has clearly learnt from the likes of Bayern that we don't enjoy being pressed and Chelsea set about the task with relish,the days of City bullying Chelsea off the park are clearly a thing of the past.
The goal from ivanovic had been coming and City were hanging on by the time the half time whistle blew.
Second half I was hoping to see some evidence of a plan B from Pellegrini but it didn't materialise,perhaps the excuse of having to play the dreadful DeMichellis as a DM because no one else was fit enough can be mitigating circumstances but he clearly slows the tempo down for us which is a vital component of what makes city tick.
Negredo looked off the pace and we desperately missed Aguero running into the channels as the one dimensional attacking play was far too easy for defenders of Cahill and Terry's class to be bothered by.
Hardly the end of the world and a kick up the arse every now and again certainly won't do them any harm but tonight clearly illustrated that the title will be going right to the wire.
Regards PPLF
