Manchester City 2-1 Chelsea: Carlos Tevez Free-Kick Downs Blues

Manchester City came from behind to beat Chelsea 2-1 at the City of Manchester Stadium. Emmanuel Adebayor conceded an early own goal before equalising for his side late in the first half. Carlos Tevez scored a free-kick for City early in the second half that was enough to win the game for his side. Frank Lampard missed from the spot with ten minutes remaining.

A lively atmosphere greeted both sides and the players seemed to respond to this in the early stages. Carlos Tevez broke down the right wing and ran past John Terry before crossing into the penalty area. Emmanuel Adebayor ran to the front post but Tevez delivered beyond him and Chelsea managed to clear.

Chelsea worked a good opportunity for Didier Drogba which forced Shay Given into a good save before Ashley Cole attacked down the left and was met by a brilliant challenge by Shaun Wright-Phillips who knocked the ball out for a corner.

Adebayor was on hand to flick the corner clear as Michael Ballack scampered after the ball and picked it up on the right flank. Headed back towards his own goal the German turned beautifully to create space and crossed toward the back post. Drogba was on hand to head back across goal as Frank Lampard arrived and fired at goal from close range.

Given managed to save this attempt and the ball rebounded out to Nicolas Anelka who smashed the ball goal wards. Given saved this shot as well but the ball bounced back off Adebayor, who was standing beside his 'keeper, and into the back of the net: 1-0 to Chelsea.

Manchester City responded to conceding the goal by pushing forward, Chelsea defended resolutely until the 36th minute when Wright-Phillips floated a diagonal ball into the box, Petr Czech came to punch but didn't get there as Micah Richards connected with a header. Ricardo Carvalho managed to get a diving header to the ball to divert it away from goal to deny the Mancurian defender.

Chelsea conceded the lead from this corner, though. Cech managed to punch out the initial cross but Wright-Phillips fired the ball back into the box with a viscous strike. The ball deflected off a Manchester City player and ricochetted to Adebayor who stabbed the ball into the bottom left-hand corner beyond the flaying Cech.


Drogba almost recovered the lead for his side in the 45th minute as he stepped up to take a free-kick from 25 yards. Utilising his new technique he whipped the ball towards the top right-hand corner, missing the target by inches. Given looked to be beaten.

Manchester City started the second half the stronger of the two teams. Wright-Phillips made a brilliant run into the penalty area, driving and weaving his way inside from the right. He cut the ball back to Adebayor whose shot was blocked and then cleared from the line.

City took the lead through a Tevez free-kick, which was in a similar position to Drogba's in the first half. Tevez curled the ball past the wall and beyond the slightly unsighted Cech, who reacted late to the strike: 2-1 to Manchester City.


Carlo Ancelotti responded by withdrawing Ballack and Carvalho just after the hour mark and replacing them with Juliano Belletti and John Obi Mikel.

It was Chelsea's turn to push forward in search of an equaliser and they worked the ball well from right to left, with Anelka sliding Cole into space on the left flank. Cole shaped to shoot and Richards threw his body at the ball, blocking the attempt on goal and conceding a corner. However the block came at a price as Richards picked up an injury and was forced to withdraw, Nedum Onuoha replaced the Englishman.

Wayne Bridge had to be substituted minutes later after a hefty collision with Belletti, both players went for a 50-50 and Bridge was caught by the Brazilian utility man. Bridge was stretchered off and replaced by Vincent Kompany.

Chelsea were looking increasingly desperate as the game entered the final stages, appealing for hand ball every time City blocked a shot or cross. Their desperation looked set to dissipate as Drogba was brought down by Onuoha in the 81st minute. Frank Lampard stepped up and struck a poor penalty into the midriff of Given who had dived to his right.

Drogba had a chance to bag an equaliser after excellent play by Chelsea, Michael Essien fed the ball to Drogba who broke through on goal. The Ivorian sent his shot just wide of the right-hand post, under pressure from his marker.

Terry was substituted in the closing minutes of the game, limping off with an injury to be replaced by Florent Malouda.

Chelsea couldn't break through the City back line, even with five minutes of stoppage time, and Mark Hughes' side sealed a memorable victory at Eastlands.

Owen Watson, Goal.com UK