Manchester City Still With Outside Chance, While Chelsea Struggle!

Saturday’s (February 24, 2013) game between Manchester City and Chelsea at Etihad Stadium was significant for both the sides. 

City needed to win it to keep their (faint) hopes of winning Barclays Premier League alive.  While Chelsea needed to win this game to get back on track and at least recover something this season by having a go at the second spot in Barclays Premier League.

This was the game involving two giants of English Premier League. We have seen the defenses faltering in this EPL season. However, this game was marked by some great defending by both the sides. City already have the established unit of experienced quality players, while Chelsea have a squad of multiple brilliant youngsters with a plenty of flair.

Demba Ba won an excellent penalty kick against Joe Hart in the second half after goalless first half. However, Hart redeemed himself by saving the resultant penalty kick by Frank Lampard. It was a rare miss for Lampard, which keeps him waiting for his 200’Th goal for the club.

While Chelsea missed their chance to go ahead and pile the pressure on City, Yaya toure scored an absolutely magnificent goal at the other end with a precisely taken shot. Chelsea tried to push forward in search of an equalizer to no effect. Manchester City held their (nerves and) defenses well and kept Chelsea at bay. Tevez sealed the 2-0 victory for City with a late stunner.

This game once again proved that:

1. Both the top clubs in Barclays Premier League hail from Manchester.
2. The gap between two Manchester clubs and the rest is too big.
3. Chelsea are no more the side they used to be. They will need to work hard to claim the champion’s league spot. They seriously need a quality centrally midfielder and are still in the transition phase.
4. Rafa Benitez will not win any fans with Chelsea after this game.