Frank Lampard wheels away in celebration after his winning penalty against Manchester City
Monday 12th December 2011
Chelsea 2 – Meireles 34′, Lampard 83′ (pen.)
Manchester City 1 – Balotelli 2′
Stamford Bridge
Manchester City’s unbeaten run was ended at the hands of Chelsea, whose collectively supreme midfield performance overwhelmed a restless City.
By Connor Whitmore (see poll at bottom)
In Roberto Mancini’s pre-match interview, there was an endearing tone of affirmation in his voice. Speaking of his side’s elimination from Europe’s biggest competition last week and its presumed effects, the Italian said crisply: “It’s no problem. They are two different competitions.” His subtext was obvious: “Look, we don’t get affected by anything. We’re Manchester City.”
And how this attitude has come to good effect. While most teams would succumb to the gremlin that is the Champions League début, City’s flourescent take on a 4-3-3 has allowed them to delve into the old-fashioned formation of the English game and adapt it. Quite an achievement, in an atmosphere where the common surroundings are the likes of Wigan and Blackburn, and not Bayern Munich or Napoli.
It’s this adamancy that supports City’s underlying assurance that this European trial can be easily forgotten. Given such supreme self-confidence, if Mancini’s side are unable to win the Champions League in the next five years, then questions will be asked. In their own foreign adventure last term, Tottenham proved the opposite case: by concentrating on the Champions League – in the knowledge that they may not achieve that status the following year (which they didn’t) – they sacrificed their utmost prosperity in England’s top tier.
Arrogance might come readily to a team that, coming into this game, had scored 24 goals in 7 matches away from home in the league; one that can be epitomised by either the preposterous actions of Carlos Tévez, the stone-cold, almost sarcastic celebrations of Mario Balotelli, or even the panache in the hairstyle of Mancini himself.
It is warranted, however. Despite minor defensive mishaps on the pitch (and miscommunications off it), Manchester City are well on their way to creating their dynasty, resting on the colossal pedestal for success that is Sheikh Mansour’s seven-foot long cheque. After 14 league games City had won all but two of them, equalled only away to sides that are renowned for their “fortress” home status in Fulham and Liverpool.
Arguably their biggest test so far was to come in this clash at Stamford Bridge. André Villas-Boas’ side had done well to knock away the journalists’ nitpicking and score six goals without reply against Newcastle and Valencia – both England and Spain’s third-placed teams on each occasion.
There was no such sign of this formidable record, though, by the turn of the second minute. Prior to kick-off, Chelsea’s Oriol Romeu had been noted as the man to stop Dávid Silva in his newly elected defensive midfield role, through the purposed removal of John Obi Mikel and ghostly presence of Michael Essien. But Romeu seemed to have not acknowledged the power that Liverpool anchorman Lucas had over the Spanish playmaker just eight days previously, and how he’d gone about using it. The youngster’s bad positioning left Sergio Agüero in minimal space – after a pass from Silva – on the inside right with John Terry on his back – but that’s all the space he needs.
Ten seconds later and the Argentinian’s darting half-turn run and dribble had dug into the cavities of the Chelsea defence, before a incisive pass of supreme egotism. Suddenly the formidability was no more [oh alright], as Balotelli’s expert run and elegant finish let out the insouciant demon of his post-goal revelry. As Branislav Ivanovic lay stranded, watching the young Italian Balotelli highlight the passing glory of his youth, Villas-Boas’ critics seemed to be due an extra field day. It may seem ridiculous to suggest, but Chelsea missed the athleticism of David Luiz in that situation.
Manchester City players celebrate the opening goal, scored after just 98 seconds through Mario Balotelli
But Chelsea were not down and out, as Villas-Boas’ inner Mourinho unleashed itself for the remainder. A resurgent Blues nullified the efficiency of Yaya Touré and indeed Silva to generate a compelling midfield performance which numbed City’s attacking potency. Romeu could have dwelled on his positional mishap, but instead surged on youthfully to dominate like the Makelélé of old. Ramires recalled an Essien in his prime as a box-to-box supremo, whilst Meireles’ fantastic anticipation for the equaliser and overall distribution was reminiscent of the young Frank Lampard. Fitting it was, too, that the Englishman came off the bench to score the winner – a penalty, after Joleon Lescott’s handball – no doubt as a recognition of his utmost loyalty. A player whose kissing of the badge drove passion into the etching.
In their two goal scorers and general performance – where a 20-year-old defensive midfielder staked his claim as a fixed first-teamer, and both an English vice-captain and £50 million striker were on the bench – Chelsea were holding a flashing sign above their heads, for all to see: “We’ve got a big squad, and we can compete for the title”.
For 70-odd minutes they had City scrapping for points. A possible turning point could have been José Bosingwa’s felling of Silva just inside Petr Cech’s box, had not referee Mark Clattenburg dismissed it instantly.
From then on Chelsea beat the drum hard, the reverberations weakening the legs of City. Indeed, whenever any of Juan Máta, Didier Drogba or Daniel Sturridge received the ball from a midfield ignited into artistry, Mancini’s men were quaking in their boots.
Post-match, Mancini still remained adamant: “This defeat changes nothing for us”. It’s a fantastic front for a team to put on: losing this game is merely a bad spot, a blemish on the beauty of their recent results, the subtext being: “Who else is likely to beat us?” Mancini was quick to mention the Chelsea players relishing their win, noting that it’s his team they’re relieved to have conquered.
On the other hand, City’s immaturity in dealing with the general weariness of the team shone through, and evidently lost them the match. Moreover, decisions were recklessly made.
For example, Balotelli would have loved Adam Johnson to come on. For all his lethargic celebrations, ‘Super Mario’ would have been willing to push an extra five percent for Mancini to get on the end of one of Johnson’s sumptuous passes, which seemed out of reach for Silva in the closing stages. The latter was perplexingly subbed in the last ten minutes for Edin Džeko, whose poise as a forward looks like a thickened giraffe learning to walk.
For me, City could have easily used a back three after being reduced to ten, but bringing on Kolo Touré set the negative tone for the rest of the match after Gaël Clichy’s second yellow card: going for the draw is not the sign of a side destined to be champions. Negativity will not be appreciated when they welcome Arsenal this Sunday, when the likes of Robin van Persie and Alex Song are in such monstrous form. And we know what happened last time City faced The Gunners with one man less.
Manchester City’s unbeaten run may be over, but I think this result will prove to be a minority in the heights of the superficial set-up.
Man of the Match: Oriol Romeu
His performance belied his tender age, where vigor and robustness shrugged off his mistake to create the fulcrum for Chelsea’s re-found confidence. They have not unearthed a Jack Wilshere, but Chelsea could have discovered a gem to restore the Makelélé-embodied history of the Mourinho days.
Villain of the Match: Yaya Touré
Stifled as an attacking threat, Touré also allowed certain scuffles to get in the way of his playing. He wasn’t marked in his deep-lying presence, but when Touré had time with the ball he never failed to amaze with his lack of energy; something that makes up his meandering style.
