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Melbourne-based Student Journalist, willing servant to the round ball game, Liverpool diehard, keen writer.
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Australia slumped to a disappointing defeat against Japan in Tokyo last night, an abject Socceroos performance resulting in a 2-0 loss. Formation Well, we…
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Chelsea made a big statement with their 3-1 victory at the City of Manchester stadium on Saturday afternoon. The Blues delivered the textbook smash-and-grab…
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…
64′
Along with De Bruyne, David Silva and Leroy Sane have been a cut above for City so far tonight. Silva with his guile and poise, Sane with his explosive running.
They – along with Pep- will be praying that Aguero finishes off one of these chances soon.
Manchester City vs Chelsea: English Premier League live scores, blog
62′
CHANCE FOR CITY!
De Bruyne plays Aguero into the box, his shot from the right hand side is parried away by Courtois. The City striker didn’t have a great angle to work with, but he has finished harder chances than that before.
City could be finished with this game by now, but Chelsea’s resilience has kept them in there and, as has often been the case this season, Costa has produced a moment of clinical brilliance.
Turn on your TVs, people!
Manchester City vs Chelsea: English Premier League live scores, blog
60′
GOAL FOR CHELSEA!
It’s all happening here! Fabregas plays a lofted ball to Costa, who runs onto the ball with Otamendi in front of him. The City defender seems to lose track of the ball, and before he knows it, Costa has chested the ball down and rocketed into the bottom left corner.
You just had the feeling that Chelsea would pop up with a goal at some point, and that Otamendi would be somehow culpable. The Argentinian has been shaky at best so far tonight.
Conte rejoices, Guardiola deadpan.
Manchester City vs Chelsea: English Premier League live scores, blog
57′
CHANCE FOR CITY!
They break through the middle, the ball is shifted wide to Navas who rockets the ball across the box to De Bruyne, who manages to hit it against the crossbar! The goal was glaring at him and the Belgian somehow missed.
Outragoues chance, and Guardiola is brought to his knees. That’s how much it means to the 2 time Champions League winner.
Manchester City vs Chelsea: English Premier League live scores, blog
54′
CHANCE FOR CITY! Azpilicueta plays a dubious backpass to Courtois, Cahill doesn’t sense the danger but Aguero is quick to sniff out a chance. Goalkeeper and defender manage to combine for a corner, and Aguero is down again.
Chelsea – in particular Cahill – need to stay vigilant here. For all the speculation and criticism of Luiz prior to his return, he’s been solid so far tonight.
Manchester City vs Chelsea: English Premier League live scores, blog
Have you considered a career in fortune telling, Matthew?
Own goals often are a result of relentless pressure, and that was undoubtedly the case there.
Manchester City vs Chelsea: English Premier League live scores, blog
50′
Well fancy that, Willian is on! And for Pedro, at that.
Meanwhile Costa is put through on goal by Moses, but scuffs his shot wide of the near post.
Conte will be hoping that Willian adds a bit of explosiveness to his side’s attack, and puts that City left side under some more urgent pressure.
Manchester City vs Chelsea: English Premier League live scores, blog
49′
Sané breaks from midfield with a powerful run, and tees up with De Bruyne on the right side of the box. The Belgian drills his shot low, and it’s saved by Courtois.
A follow up effort by Silva is held easily by the Chelsea goalkeeper also.
Manchester City vs Chelsea: English Premier League live scores, blog
48′
A corner for City, and once again they take it short. Once again, nothing eventuates. Best stick to Señor Guardiola’s instructions it appears!
Willian has been summoned by Conte to warm up, change incoming?
Manchester City vs Chelsea: English Premier League live scores, blog
46′
And we’re on again! Costa barges down Otamendi, and the second half starts with a markedly lower tempo than the first.
Manchester City vs Chelsea: English Premier League live scores, blog
55% – 55% of Man City's touches in the attacking half of the pitch in the first half v Chelsea came on the right side of the pitch. Targeted pic.twitter.com/BWrdvbMIdx— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 3, 2016
Ahhh, doesn’t it feel good when your pre-game prediction is vindicated? Looks like Chelsea are targeting that City left-side defence of Kolarov/Sané. Worth pursuing!
Manchester City vs Chelsea: English Premier League live scores, blog
I’d be surprised if either manager made a change at half time. Tactically, physically and mentally they appear well-matched.
When Chelsea attack through Hazard they look dangerous – Willian for Pedro would be the most likely first substitution.
Guardiola will be confident that a second goal will hand his team an unassailable lead. Surely the recently-redeemed Yaya Toure would be the first to enter for City, or possibly the more defensively minded Fernando.
Manchester City vs Chelsea: English Premier League live scores, blog
Some would argue that Daid Luiz’s foul on Aguero warranted a red card, but that would have been harsh. The Chelsea defender was technically the last man, but the incident happened at least 10-15 metres outside the penalty box.
Perhaps the repeated occurrences of players spending time injured/on the deck deterred referee Taylor from favouring the City man there. Otherwise the ref has been fair and consistent in a hard-fought contest.
Manchester City vs Chelsea: English Premier League live scores, blog
City do deserve their lead at half time. It wasn’t the most glamorous of goals, but was the result of a 10 minute period of relentless pressure.
On another day, Kun Aguero would have bagged a hat trick by this stage, while De Bruyne has provided several tantalising balls into the box.
For Chelsea, their most potent outlet has been Eden Hazard, yet they haven’t had a clear-cut chance.
Manchester City vs Chelsea: English Premier League live scores, blog
HALF TIME.
Well, let’s all take a breath. That was a quintessential game of Premier League football; competitive, unpredictable, sharp, perhaps lacking that final piece of quality.
Manchester City vs Chelsea: English Premier League live scores, blog
47′
2 minutes of added time now. There’s no doubt who’ll be the happier manager heading into half time. Conte will feel that his side should have been more proactive in this half, while Guardiola will rightfully think that goal was just rewards.
Fabulous contest, right on the edge!
Manchester City vs Chelsea: English Premier League live scores, blog
45′
GOAL! Manchester City break through on the cusp of half time! And you can’t say it hasn’t been coming!
Jesus Navas whips the ball into the 6-yard box with intent, Gary Cahill attempts to clear the ball with an elaborate bicycle-kick manoeuvre and the ball ends up in the top left corner. Guardiola – and the stadium ushers – certainly enjoyed that one.
Manchester City vs Chelsea: English Premier League live scores, blog
44′
Another penalty shout for City! Gündogan comes charging onto a bouncing ball and falls to the ground under pressure from a Chelsea defender again.
Waved away by the referee and the German doesn’t offer too many protestations. Penalties have been given for less!
Manchester City vs Chelsea: English Premier League live scores, blog
43′
An absolutely exquisite ball in from De Bruyne there, landing on Aguero’s forehead on the 6 yard line. Under pressure from the Chelsea defence, the Argentinian heads wide right of the post.
Aguero has had enough chances to at least score one this half!
Manchester City vs Chelsea: English Premier League live scores, blog
41′
De Bruyne launches into a huge tackle onto Hazard just outside the Chelsea box, and wins the ball cleanly leading to a goal kick.
Belgian attacker on attacker, that sums up this half of football so far. Intensity!
Manchester City vs Chelsea: English Premier League live scores, blog
40′
Sané beats a couple of men, but is thwarted by Cahill as his touch is slightly too heavy.
Manchester City vs Chelsea: English Premier League live scores, blog
38′
Corner for City and again they take it short. The attack peters out, and Sané’s return ball into the box trickles out for a goal kick.
Manchester City vs Chelsea: English Premier League live scores, blog
37′
Alonso whips in to the box after a slightly slower build up from Chelsea. Glanced wide by Pedro.
That previous incident between Luiz and Aguero is centre of attention. The Brazilian certainly has his eyes on the Argentinian before lowering his shoulder into him. For me, that’s a yellow card and a foul.
Manchester City vs Chelsea: English Premier League live scores, blog
34′
What a ball from Silva! He picks out the oncoming Sane inside the box, who squares it for Aguero. The Argentinian’s goal-bound effort is blocked by Cahill on the 6 yard line.
Great chance! And superb movement from Sané to catch the flatfooted Moses out.
Manchester City vs Chelsea: English Premier League live scores, blog
67′
Another chance for City!
De Bruyne sprays the ball across the box, and Moses gets to it ahead of Aguero, out of the box.
Superb defensive work from the reborn Nigerian, fulfilling his defensive duties as well as his attacking ones.
Manchester City vs Chelsea: English Premier League live scores, blog