Two of the English Premier League’s heavyweights clash in a blockbuster clash this Saturday, as Chelsea travel to title rivals Manchester City. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 11:30pm (AEDT).
Both teams come into this game following a solid run of results.
The return of Yaya Toure has powered Manchester City to morale-boosting victories away at Crystal Palace and Burnley, although their home form has been somewhat less impressive, with draws against Middlesborough, Southampton and Everton in their last three outings at the City of Manchester stadium – despite dominating each match.
Meanwhile, Chelsea’s upturn in form under Antonio Conte shows no signs of slowing. Crushing victories against Southampton and Everton were followed up by hard-fought wins away at Middlesborough and at home against London rivals Tottenham.
They have conceded just one goal in their last seven Premier League hit-outs, and boast the joint-best defensive record across all four English leagues.
Manchester City completed the double over Chelsea last season, however the last clash was a largely insipid affair watched over by the outgoing Manuel Pellegrini and Guus Hiddink. A notable date on the Premier League calendar since the arrival of foreign investment for these two sides, this will be the most hotly contested match-up in recent memory.
Captain and centre-back Vincent Kompany is injured for Manchester City, ruled out once again for the next four to six weeks with a knee complaint.
Chelsea have a comparatively clean bill of health, with a question mark only over captain John Terry, who in any case has been forced to watch his side’s impressive recent run from the bench.
The key for City will be turning their expected possession into meaningful chances and breaking through Chelsea’s watertight defensive shape. Sergio Aguero has been in typically hot form for the Citizens, equal with Diego Costa at the top of the Premier League goalscoring charts with ten goals. His record of one goal every 92 minutes on the park (you do the maths) is daunting for any defence, while stand-in captain Fernandinho will be vital in breaking up Chelsea’s incisive counter attacks.
With the success of Conte’s side catalysed by a shift to a five-man backline, Victor Moses has emerged as an explosive outlet down the right flank. Expect him to cause problems down the seemingly fragile Manchester left side. Building on a stable defensive foundation, Chelsea will be hoping for their front three of Eden Hazard, Diego Costa and the recently reborn Pedro to continue to make the difference in attack.
Prediction
Chelsea will be buoyed by their results in the last couple of months, and will back themselves to absorb extended periods of Manchester City pressure before snatching a goal on the counter. Together with City’s shaky home form, expect the West Londoners to at least bag a point.
Join The Roar from 11:15pm (AEDT) for score updates and debate in our live blog.
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Guest
Great match enjoyed it.
steveng
Roar Rookie
The referee in this game allowed far too much foul play and that is why it culminated in the brawl at the end of the game. But Chelsea were the better more opportunistic side while Manchester city (with a bit of discipline) could have and should have won this game. Never the less this was a grat game to watch and exciting all the way and I'm glad to see that soccer is being clened up from all the 'divers' and 'ballerinas' that go down injured even if they are touched.
Michael Fowler
Roar Pro
I've had a great time providing some live commentary of the Manchester City vs Chelsea game tonight, let's hope the breathlessness of that clash was transmitted with justice. The headline game of tomorrow night is Bournemouth vs Liverpool at 1.15pm UK time, 12.15am AEDT. If it's anything like tonight's match, it'll be worth tuning in on The Roar from midnight. I look forward to getting in touch with you all again soon! Much love and keep safe, Michael
Michael Fowler
Roar Pro
It's time to wrap this little baby up. That De Bruyne miss ultimately proved crucial for this game. While City were wasteful from 5 yards out, Chelsea finished every opportunity presented to them. On another day, Aguero may have ended the game with a hat-trick, yet he finished with an early shower and impending suspension. The Midas touch that many anticipated Guardiola to have has evaporated and been passed on to Antonio Conte, whose side were under pressure yet somehow never seemed truly in doubt tonight.
Michael Fowler
Roar Pro
From a Chelsea point of view, the winning run goes on. It was a textbook away performance for Conte's men. City dominated the game and had more clear chances, but Chelsea produced in the big moments and reaped the rewards. They were clinical attack and resolute in defence, sticking away the 3 major chances they had. Make no mistake, Chelsea have made a serious title statement here tonight.
Michael Fowler
Roar Pro
What a game! Utterly breathless, from start to finish. If you're Pep Guardiola, those 2 last red cards are inexcusable. He is now without 2 key players for at least their next league game, their petulant reactions unnecessary in a match that was already lost.
Michael Fowler
Roar Pro
FULL TIME. League leaders Chelsea come from behind to win 3-1 at Manchester City, who have Sergio Aguero and Fernandinho sent off in the last moments of the game. The City players are visibly frustrated, they surround the officials while Conte embarks on his traditional celebration with his Chelsea team.
Michael Fowler
Roar Pro
96' A last moment of madness! Aguero is running down the left flank, Luiz comes to clear the ball out and Aguero launches into a frankly disgusting tackle onto the Brazilian's knee. A melee ensues, Guardiola races down the sideline to join, while Fernandinho pushes Fabregas over the advertising boards. Aguero receives a red card for the horrible tackle, while Fernandinho receives the same punishment for his attack on Fabregas. Ill discipline from Guardiola's side, not for the first time this season.
Michael Fowler
Roar Pro
94' 6 minutes of added time, City now look resigned.
Michael Fowler
Roar Pro
92' It's hard to blame Manchester City there, all marks to Guardiola and his men for seeking an equalising goal. Hazard - as has been the case for his side this entire game - was utterly clinical. The West Londoners really haven't had many - if any - clear-cut chances beyond those they've converted tonight. City's frustration is now evident and understandable, De Bruyne perhaps the most responsible. City fans filter out of the ground. Empty seats now dominate.
Michael Fowler
Roar Pro
90' GOAL FOR CHELSEA! This game is over! City's desperation is exposed as Alonso releases Hazard on the left flank. A superb first tough on his thigh takes him past the recovering Kolarov, once one-on-one with Bravo the Belgian slams the ball into the back of the net. Resounding finish, resounding result! Chelsea are finishing this day on top of the Premier League, 4 points ahead of Man City.
Michael Fowler
Roar Pro
89' Guardiola ironically celebrates a free kick awarded to City near the halfway line, which they take quickly. A resulting shot from Iheanacho is skewed wide. A slight sense of desperation is beginning to descend on this game for City.
Michael Fowler
Roar Pro
88' Ciry have a corner, crossed in by Silva but cleared away. In the last 10 minutes the short corner strategy seems to have been replaced by a more route-one design.
Michael Fowler
Roar Pro
86' Clichy crosses low into the box, Iheanacho manages to take a touch with his back to goal but it's quickly thwarted out by the Chelsea defence. They've been utterly watertight on the most part today.
Michael Fowler
Roar Pro
84' Guardiola is attempting to rev the home crowd up in Klopp-esque style. It worked for Liverpool last week, after all. Meanwhile Diego Costa is down. He's indicating for a substitution and his manager duly obliges. Costa - on the periphery at times but a pure menace at others - is replaced by young midfielder Nathaniel Chalobah,
Michael Fowler
Roar Pro
82' A second kick conceded by City on Chelsea's left hand side, floated in by Fabregas and bumbled by Bravo. The Chilean has hardly inspired unerring confidence today, as has been the case on too many occasions this season.
Michael Fowler
Roar Pro
81' Fernandinho catches Kante on halfway, and Chelsea are certainly willing to take their time with every set piece here. The last time that Chelsea won 8 straight games was under Carlo Ancelotti - and they've won a Premier League title since then. A city goal would be huge now.
Michael Fowler
Roar Pro
79' Iheanacho on for Stones, that's not like for like! Striker on for centre back, it's worth a plunge. Momentum - despite Chelsea's lead - is with City, as it has been for the majority of this game. Impatience brewing ever so gradually in the City of Manchester stadium.
Michael Fowler
Roar Pro
78' Small penalty shout for City as Luiz first blocks the ball with his body while sliding across the turf, before Navas then hits the deck after some seemingly light contact from Alonso. Neither was a penalty, and Anthony Taylor agrees.
Michael Fowler
Roar Pro
76' Substituion for City. Yayo Touré enters the fray for his first start at home this season, coming on for Ilkay Gündogan. A like for like switch again, Toure has been on hot form since his return to the starting lineup. He's a man for the big occasion too.