Manchester City vs. Chelsea: Winners and Losers from Premier League Game
On Sunday afternoon, the two presumed favourites in the Premier League title race played out a 1-1 draw, as 10-man Manchester City came from behind to take a point against Chelsea.
Andre Schurrle's second-half strike, following a fine counter-attacking move, seemed to have secured all three points for a Chelsea side that had been second best for much of the game. But City, who had already been reduced to ten men following Pablo Zabaleta's harsh dismissal, got back on terms through a face very familiar to Chelsea fans and players—Frank Lampard getting his first goal in his new colours to ensure the spoils were shared.
Here are some of the winners and losers from events at the Etihad Stadium.
Winner: Frank Lampard
1 of 6
Frank Lampard could barely have looked any more conflicted about scoring against his former club—in the annals of famous "muted celebrations," this might turn out to be the most famous of all.
Nevertheless, his eighth goal in fixtures involving Chelsea and Manchester City was the first for the team in lighter blue and secured them a crucial point. Rather than be eight points behind City at this stage of the season, Pellegrini's side remain a more manageable five.
It was a typical Lampard strike that secured the 1-1 result, the midfielder arriving late to get on the end of James Milner's cutback and deliver the ball beyond Thibaut Courtois. Having been slated following his atrocious performance against Arsenal last weekend, this was a timely indication that he can still make an impact.
Of course, on a personal level it was difficult for Lampard, who did not celebrate the strike at all and seemed upset by the whole scenario at the end of the game. But it was nice to see him still applauded off by the Chelsea fans at the end of the game—he was and will remain a Blues legend, even if he is currently stepping out in a slightly different hue.
Afterwards, the player told Sky Sports:
"It's a really difficult one. I'd be unprofessional if I didn't come on and do my job, so I was trying to get into the box and it was a great ball back from Milly.
It's a tough one for me. I had 13 amazing years with the Chelsea fans, so I am mixed with it. I am obviously pleased the team I play for got a draw.
I am a little lost for words. I didn't expect to come on and score like that.
I came on and the Chelsea fans were singing, and that's emotional. Then I am playing for this club, who have taken me in brilliantly as well, so I am really stuck in the middle here.
"
Loser: Diego Costa
2 of 6
It seems harsh, unfair even, to mark Diego Costa down after his first goalless game in five Premier League appearances. But it was interesting to see how difficult he found life against both Vincent Kompany and Eliaquim Mangala—who both comprehensively outplayed him at the Etihad Stadium.
Costa will face fewer better central defensive pairings in the Premier League this season, and goals are always harder to come by for strikers in big, tight games against title rivals. Nevertheless, perhaps it points to the relative weakness of Premier League defences these days that Costa could bully so many of them so absolutely, yet struggle against City's so conspicuously.
The Brazilian-turned-Spaniard did have his moments—including providing the pass that opened up the play for Eden Hazard to almost guide Andre Schurrle to goal—and some will point out that it was his hassling and harrying that led to the sending off of Pablo Zabaleta, a moment that undoubtedly seemed to alter the course of the contest (on the other hand, he perhaps should have considered a penalty after a poor challenge on Edin Dzeko).
On the other hand, Costa was bought to make an impact in these sort of games, every bit as much as he was bought to fill his boots against the weaker defences around the country. Jose Mourinho will not go away panicking about his star striker, but from Costa's point of view, it was certainly a missed opportunity to make another really bold statement.
Winner: Eliaquim Mangala
3 of 6
As debut performances go, this was something pretty impressive. Eyebrows were raised when Manuel Pellegrini decided to give summer signing Eliaquim Mangala his debut in this match of all matches—and break up the reasonably successful Vincent Kompany-Martin Demichelis partnership in the process—but Mangala proved his manager's judgement spot on as he slotted in seamlessly to Premier League life.
Ably assisted by Kompany, who did a great job of bullying Diego Costa, Mangala was organised defensively and comfortable on the ball, ensuring City did not really miss a beat as their new man adjusted to their style.
"Eliaquim Mangala's Man City debut: 100% aerial duels won 91% pass accuracy 4 tackles won 4 clearances 1 key pass pic.twitter.com/KmIH52pvZN
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) September 21, 2014"
The France international may feel he could have done a little bit better to track Schurrle for the game's opener, but that was still a fantastic ball from Hazard—sometimes you cannot legislate for quality. Mangala had a solid game, and was overall the biggest positive of the day for City and their fans.
Loser: Mike Dean
4 of 6
Too many yellow cards. This game saw yellow cards handed out for the most minor of infractions in the first half, and as soon as that began to happen, it was inevitable where we would end up. Mike Dean pushed himself into a corner when he first cautioned Fernandinho after only 11 minutes, and Pablo Zabaleta's soft sending off was the inevitable endgame.
Refereeing big games is a famously inexact science, and sometimes the players must take as much responsibility as the official for letting things get out of hand. But Dean will perhaps reflect on this game and acknowledge that he could have kept his cards in his pocket a bit longer and allowed the game to flow in a different, less restricted direction.
City will be relieved that Pablo Zabaleta's sending off did not cost them more dearly. So too might Dean, who would surely have faced more strident analysis of his day's work if Chelsea had held on to victory.
"Referees must have empathy for the game we are seeing to many yellow cards and inconstancy in issuing yellows
— Mark Halsey (@RefereeHalsey) September 21, 2014"
"Man city have every rite to be unhappy with match officials yellows non yellows penalties inconsistent today which is unusual for Mike
— Mark Halsey (@RefereeHalsey) September 21, 2014"
Winners: James Milner & Yaya Toure
5 of 6
We group these two players together because they both made similar points on Sunday; on the big stage, both men hit back at some (recent) criticism of them.
This week, Yaya Toure was the subject of widespread analysis, as his performances in the big games—after poor efforts against Arsenal and Bayern Munich—came under scrutiny once more. This has become something of a pattern with the Ivorian; he goes on a run of great performances, then for one reason or another his interest wanes and his performance levels drop, and then the media call him out for it.
In that cycle, the usual next response is that Toure hits out at the criticism and reasserts his brilliance and, while that did not quite happen on Sunday, it was certainly an eye-catching, vibrant display. Why Toure goes off the boil remains an issue, but he was a constant menace to Chelsea all game.
Milner faces more general criticism about his ability—with social media in particular frequently delighting in mocking his appearances for both club and country. But today he underlined why he continues to have the support of his managers; hard-working and diligent off the ball, he burst forward when he could and helped his team in attack. He showed his versatility too, moving to left-back out of necessity late in the game—a position from which he would create Lampard's equaliser.
Milner made a point today, as did Toure.
Loser: Andre Schurrle
6 of 6
From hero to villain in the blink of an eye. After scoring what looked like being the winner shortly after coming on as a substitute, Andre Schurrle undid all that good work by failing to track James Milner down the right—the Englishman taking full advantage to provide Frank Lampard with a great chance to equalise.
These are the fine margins at the highest level of football, but Jose Mourinho will surely be furious at the German for failing to keep his concentration and help secure the win his goal had put within reach.
