Chelsea vs. Manchester City: Score, Analysis and Grades

The clash between Manchester City and Chelsea on Sunday was expected to be one of the best showdowns of the English Premier League season.

Then they played the game.

Manchester City and Chelsea battled to a scoreless draw as both City's and Chelsea's offensive talent failed to show up to the pitch.

Chelsea only managed one shot on goal as Manchester City tallied five. It was a game that lacked quality throughout despite quality being drenched all across the field. 

This tweet from Sport Jokes pretty much sums it up:

"

Chelsea vs Man City: It seems like money can buy you pretty much anything but it can't buy you a goal. #ElCashico

— Sport Jokes (@FootballFunnys) November 25, 2012"

It was just one of those rainy, Sunday afternoons where nothing happened. You'll have that every now and again with two great teams, especially when one side has a new coach. 

With the draw, Manchester City improved to 29 points, and Chelsea improved to 25 points on the campaign. 

Grades 

David Luiz, Chelsea: B

David Luiz had his ups and downs against Manchester City, but he played well enough to earn a B grade. Not only did he record the lone shot on target, but he was also solid in the back and consistent for the most part, especially early. 

Luiz has struggled with consistency. He looks lost at times, but he played well enough to deserve one of the better grades for Chelsea on the day. 

Pablo Zabaleta, Manchester City: B+

When Manchester City made noise offensively, it often came from Pablo Zabaleta.

Considering how the game ended, Zabaleta deserves to be one of the higher-graded players on the pitch. Zabaleta recorded a shot on target and forced three fouls. 

He pushed the tempo, and his pace created a little bit of excitement in what was a less-than-thrilling outcome.

Petr Cech, Chelsea: A

Sunday's game didn't have much excitement or scoring opportunities, but Chelsea's Petr Cech made the saves he needed to make to keep a clean sheet.

Manchester City saw the better of the opportunities, and Cech was in the right position to make the save on every shot on target. 

Sergio Agüero, Manchester City: C+

Sergio Agüero did record one shot on target, but he wasn't his normal goal-scoring self. He didn't provide that spark Manchester City needed up top.

The best chance of the game came from Agüero's header, but he headed it right at Cech. Generally he puts opportunities like that home, and if he had better placement, he likely would have scored there. 

Like most of the players on the pitch, though, it just wasn't his day. 

Eden Hazard, Chelsea: C

Eden Hazard produced an average game on Sunday against Manchester City. Chelsea couldn't get anything going all game long, but Hazard did draw four fouls on the day before being substituted. 

He was one of the few Chelsea players who created some type of pace and looked somewhat dangerous, at times.

Unfortunately for Hazard and Chelsea, it wasn't often.