Chelsea implode against Manchester City

In a match that they started off in quite well Chelsea handed that match back to Manchester City.  Chelsea were unlucky at points but there’s no disguising that Chelsea were thoroughly the second best team on the pitch.

Chelsea were magnificent against Atletico Madrid.  They were sharp and full of energy.  Their passes were precise, quickly timed and the team seemed athletic and full of desire and work ethic.  In short, they were everything that they were not against Manchester City.  This team was a shambles. They started well and as soon as Alvaro Morata went out the entire team did as well.  Manchester City should be wildly proud of this victory.  Away from home, with a deeply weakened squad, against fellow title contenders?  Excellent win for City and a terrible loss for Chelsea.

The reason why it is such a terrible loss for Chelsea is the complete lack of spine and character that the team showed.  It took literally one small difference in the squad, the injury to Alvaro Morata, to change the way the entire team played?  The only player in the squad who seemed to play with even a tiny bit of urgency was Eden Hazard and yet he missed his usual spark.

Chelsea could say they were feeling tired from the match against Atletico mid-week which was surely more trying than City’s match against Shaktar Donetsk but that would disguise something.  City were the far better team.  They were a different class to Chelsea and as soon as Chelsea quit it was only a matter of time.

It is on performances like this that Kevin De Bruyne will wrestle the best midfielder in the Premier League away from Eden Hazard. He was magnificent throughout and though City’s defense is still something you would never have your own child watch for fear it would perturb their education in the art of football their attack is brilliant.  They move in waves and are entirely unrepentant.  Again and again they attacked Chelsea.

Antonio Ruddier continues to look like a phenomenal athlete and a poor footballer.  He reads the game at the most elementary level I’ve seen in years and is a barely capable passer.  He looks like his 29 million pound fee was 29 million pounds too much to pay for him.  Rudiger with his physique, athleticism and speed should be one of the best defenders in the league.  At the moment he looks like he shouldn’t be playing in it.

Antonio Conte looked bereft of options once Alvaro Morata left the match.  The Spanish striker turned to the sideline and asked to come off apparently holding his hamstring and was subbed off for Willian.  At this point Chelsea played without a striker, without effort and without hope.  Chelsea deserved this loss and should spend a long time learning from it.  They’re lucky Conte is a phenomenal teacher.

I predicted the title would return to Manchester this season.  Be it between City or United will be hard to tell.  The Christmas period generally answers that. Chelsea should have won this match.  City have injuries and a lot of drama surrounding those injuries. It would have sent a statement had they done so.  Instead they allowed City to use the match as an advertisement for them and Guardiola.  They were phenomenal and Chelsea were poor.

• Published on 10/01/2017 at 3:33 AM EST
• Last updated on 10/01/2017 at 3:33 AM EST