Chelsea End Manchester City’s Unbeaten Run

[emezico]

Manchester City pressed the self-destruct button as Chelsea ended their unbeaten start to the Barclays Premier League season and hauled themselves right back into the title race with a 2-1 win, on Monday 12th December 2011.

City were in cruise control midway through the first half at wet and windy Stamford Bridge, looking every inch champions elect as they tormented their opponents. Mario Balotelli scored inside two minutes and they should have been 2-0 up – seeing a decent penalty appeal turned down in the process – before simply losing their way.

That allowed Raul Meireles to equalise before half-time after which City simply lost the plot, Gael Clichy picking up two yellow cards in 11 minutes and Joleon Lescott handling in his own box, allowing substitute Frank Lampard to net the winner from the penalty spot.

The result ended Andre Villas-Boas' run of defeats against other big teams and propelled his side to third place, seven points behind their opponents. Victory capped a week to remember for Chelsea – who beat Valencia to progress in the Champions League – while defeat sealed a week to forget for City, who crashed out of the same competition.