Chelsea

3.25

• 
  159

  26

  3.00

  Petr Cech

  Could perhaps have done more to keep Balotelli at bay for the opener but was otherwise in command.

• 
  154

  34

  3.00

  Branislav Ivanovic

  Shifted back to center back by Luiz suspension and was all over the place to start with, noticeably leaving a big gap for Balotelli to wander through and score the early opener. Far more comfortable after the break.

• 
  153

  27

  3.00

  Ashley Cole

  Spent most of the game fighting fires in his own half after clearly being instructed to restrict his attacking surges.

• 
  104

  73

  2.50

  José Bosingwa

  Restored to the starting X1 by the Luiz suspension, the Portugese made some good attacking breaks but was fallible in defense. Lucky not to concede a first half penalty when he carelessly upended Silva in the box.

• 
  161

  26

  3.00

  John Terry

  Recovered from a horrendous start, in which he was culpable for allowing Balotelli to drift unmarked into an offside position for the opener, to deliver a reasonably polished display. His vulnerability when Chelsea played a high defensive line were undeniable, however.

• 
  248

  21

  3.50

  Oriol Romeu

  Had the unenviable task of monitoring the elusive City attackers but recovered his pose after a difficult start to deliver another class-filled display in the screening role.

• 
  245

  14

  3.50

  Ramires

  Quelled by City's first half dominance but his driving runs and energetic breaks were one of the features of Chelsea's comeback, although he was occasionally wanton.

• 
  220

  17

  3.50

  Raúl Meireles

  Hit-and-miss distribution but justified his inclusion with expert volley for the equalizer after drifting unmarked into the box a la Lampard. Subbed in the 73rd minute.

• 
  249

  17

  3.50

  Juan Mata

  Generally subdued in the first half but became increasingly influential after the break with his trickery and excellent ball control.

• 
  210

  38

  3.00

  Didier Drogba

  His strength and power kept Lescott and Kompany busy but not nearly as dominant as he was against Valencia five days ago.

• 
  372

  23

  4.00

  Daniel Sturridge Top of the Match

  A shining light in the driving rain and arguably the outstanding player on the pitch. Engineered both Chelsea goals, first by consummately beating Clichy and laying on the opener with his weaker foot and then forcing the Lescott handball. Clichy couldn't handle him before his sending-off.

Substitutions

• 
  217

  28

  3.50

  Frank Lampard

  Emphatically rifled home the penalty after being given license in the last 17 minutes to play just behind Drogba.

• 
  99

  33

  0.00

  John Obi Mikel

  A late replacement for Sturridge.

• 
  90

  36

  0.00

  Florent Malouda

  Helped slow the game down for the last seven minutes after replacing Mata.

Manchester City

2.88

• 
  43

  56

  3.00

  Joe Hart

  Hardly overworked but still shipped two goals. However, two keepers might not have kept out Lampard's penalty.

• 
  19

  70

  3.00

  Vincent Kompany

  Received a first half booking for rashly upending Drogba and had a few uncertain moments when Chelsea cantered towards the penalty box.

• 
  19

  63

  3.00

  Pablo Zabaleta

  Mixed solidity with rashness, first at right back and then on the left flank for the last third of the game.

• 
  15

  70

  2.50

  Joleon Lescott

  Ruined what had been a fine display by losing his composure and blatantly handballing Sturridge's cross-cum-shot to gift Chelsea their late penalty.

• 
  48

  130

  2.00

  Gael Clichy Flop of the Match

  Looked the weakest link in the City back four and could have few complaints with his second half dismissal for two bookable offenses. Could not cope with pace of Sturridge and was beaten all ends up by the No. 23 for the equalizer.

• 
  23

  67

  2.50

  James Milner

  Frequently swapped wings with Silva, although his role was more of subjugation rather than creation. Energetic but lacked quality on the ball.

• 
  14

  72

  3.00

  Gareth Barry

  Kept City ticking over in the first half but overrun for the last half hour, particularly when Ramires ran at him with pace.

• 
  43

  68

  3.00

  David Silva

  Drifting inside from the right flank, the elusive Spaniard only harmed Chelsea in spurts although played a big role in the opener by finding Aguero. Subbed with 15 minutes left.

• 
  32

  87

  3.00

  Yaya Touré

  Tore into Chelsea's midfield in a relentlessly energetic display alongside Barry but guilty of failing to track back and cover Meireles for the equalizer. Could also be in hot water with the FA for appearing to stamp on Mata in the first half.

• 
  58

  93

  3.50

  Sergio Agüero

  Sacrificed by Mancini following Clichy's red card but had caused huge problems for Chelsea in the opening 20 minutes. Brilliantly teed Balotelli up for the opener with an exquisite pass with the outside of his right boot.

• 
  78

  80

  3.50

  Mario Balotelli

  Nonchalantly tucked away the opener after rounding Cech as if he wasn't there. Caused mayhem early on alongside Aguero in a twin-pronged attack but quiet thereafter.

Substitutions

• 
  20

  68

  2.50

  Kolo Toure

  Unconvincing after slotting in at right back following Clichy's dismissal.

• 
  12

  68

  3.00

  Nigel De Jong

  Fought fires in midfield in the last quarter.

• 
  76

  58

  0.00

  Edin Dzeko

  Little opportunity to make an impact after replacing Balotelli late on.