Chelsea legend Frank Lampard came back to haunt his former team as Manchester City came from behind to draw at home to Chelsea.
Chelsea lined up with their standard defence, while Ramires lined up alongside Matic. Fabregas, Hazard and Willian were deployed behind Diego Costa who started upfront.
Chelsea started poorly, as Manchester City took a foothold early in the game, making Chelsea look panicky and wasteful with the ball.
Courtois wasn’t forced into any extravagant saves early on, but he did have to be on guard an Aguero and Dzeko were both on target with headers.
Chelsea grew into the game as the first half wore on but never looked a threat, to Manchester City’s goal, despite a good few opportunities to break out from defence.
A goalless but by no means poor first half came to an end and Manuel Pellegrini was no doubt the happier of the two managers, but Mourinho opted to keep his side the same for the second half.
The amount of cards was certainly a talking point throughout the half. With six given out by half time, it was clear that both teams were looking to get stuck into their opponents, with Manchester City mainly targeting Diego Costa.
Chelsea looked slightly more comfortable in the opening minutes of the first half but still offered little in the way of excitement for the travelling fans.
Ramires made a crucial challenge 10 minutes into the second period to keep Chelsea on level terms. After Aguero’s shot was saved by Courtois, Kolarov looked certain to tuck it away but the Brazilian midfielder somehow cleared the ball away for a corner.
10 minutes later, the home side would be down to ten men. Zabaleta got slightly too stuck into Chelsea striker Diego Costa and picked up his second yellow card and was dismissed my referee Mike Dean.
Diego Costa himself picked up a booking for his part int he aftermath of the challenge, but it was now advantage Chelsea.
And Mourinho’s men instantly made City pay, with a fantastically worked move ending up in substitute Andre Schurrle tucking away an inch perfect Eden Hazard cross from point blank range. It was smash and grab, but who cares?
However, Chelsea didn’t look to make the most of the man advantage and get a second goal but did go close through Diego Costa, who could only hit the post with his effort.
It was all set up for Frank Lampard. Chelsea’s all time top scorer replaced Kolarov on 78 minutes and soon enough was City’s hero. In typical fashion, he latched onto a James Milner cutback to volley home a City equaliser.
With evident mixed emotions, Lampard refused to celebrate as he was surrounded by his City teammates who then when on to find the winner. Lampard went close again only to see his shot blocked by John Terry.
As the game ended one a piece, Frank Lampard received a fantastic reception from his former team’s fans and, afterwards, had this to say:
I’d be unprofessional if I didn’t come on and do my job… I’m a bit lost for words, I didn’t expect to come on and score.
“I woke up this morning and didn’t know what i wanted today”, he added.
While the game will feel like two points dropped for Chelsea, a draw away at the champions can never be considered a bad result.
Both sides displayed some resolute defending and a draw, most will argue, was a fair result come the 90th minute.
After the game, Mourinho gave his views on the result and the performance:
Jose says that Man City deserved a point but that the Chelsea players were fantastic. #CFC
— Chelsea FC (@chelseafc) September 21, 2014
Chelsea host Bolton in the Capital One Cup this Wednesday evening.
Man City 1-1 Chelsea: Match Facts
- Frank Lampard has now scored against a record 39 different Premier League clubs
- Frank Lampard has scored his first Premier League goal versus Chelsea, in his 11th match against them
- Frank Lampard has now scored a Premier League goal in 18 consecutive seasons
- André Schürrle has scored with both of his shots on target in the Premier League this season
- City had 16 shots today, Chelsea had 6. Chelsea created 3 chances, City created 10
- Frank Lampard has scored more goals against Chelsea than Lionel Messi
Source: Opta/Sqauwka
Man City 1-1 Chelsea – Your Views:
@CFCNewsApp would have lost it if they had had 11 on the pitch throughout. Midfield unable to take control and CBs are too deep? — Vivekanand M (@v_anandm) September 21, 2014
@CFCNewsApp Gutted
— Andy (@andyWx01) September 21, 2014
@CFCNewsApp would have lost it if they had had 11 on the pitch throughout. Midfield unable to take control and CBs are too deep?
— Vivekanand M (@v_anandm) September 21, 2014
