The starting XI:
Petr Cech (6):
The Czech goalkeeper did not have a terrible performance today despite conceding three goals, he was powerless if I am honest. Made a couple of decent saves and can’t be criticised all that much, in my opinion.
Branislav Ivanovic (4):
Had an up-and-down half whilst on the pitch and covered for David Luiz a couple of times, but ultimately, his sending off was completely daft and only has himself to blame for picking up a three-game ban for a stupid challenge.
David Luiz (3):
I’m growing quite tired of seeing Luiz run out like a bull and commit himself time after times, often without making a successful challenge on the ball. Completely exposed when City scored their third and is the weak link in our defence.
John Terry (6):
It was his dodgy clearance led to City’s equaliser and he had a couple of poor moments. But was more solid than his partner at centre-half.
Ashley Cole (7):
Probably Chelsea’s best defender today despite a relatively poor first half. Made up for the lapses in concentration by his team-mates at times. Not the best game by his standards in all honesty, but his standards are very high and he was solid enough today.
John Obi Mikel (4):
The Nigerian midfielder had a terrible first half and uncharacteristically kept giving the ball away. Didn’t seem to make as many mistakes in the second half of the match, but this could be because he completely disappeared. Anonymous.
Frank Lampard (6):
Didn’t influence the game as much as you would like him to and found it difficult to get the ball to the likes of Eden Hazard and Juan Mata quick enough. Got into a decent position to score once but his shot was saved. Booked for a nothing challenge on James Milner.
Ramires (6):
The Brazilian looked a little lost on the right-hand side but made a great run through the centre to set Fernando Torres up for the match opener. Ended the game as a right-back, wasn’t great there, but not going to hold that against him as it’s not his position.
Juan Mata (4.5):
Wasn’t a great game for the Spaniard and after playing a part in both Euro 2012 and the Olympics, I think it was perhaps a little unwise to start him in this game and he ought to be given a rest following a busy summer.
Eden Hazard (6):
Will be most remembered in this game for completely fluffing a back-heel and got clattered a few times, but looks tricky and is a threat. Should play behind the forward, in my opinion. His skill, creativity, pace and ability to run at players are the perfect qualities to play that position.
Fernando Torres (7):
Looked isolated in the early stages of the game, until he scored the opening goal and played with both energy and enthusiasm. Made a few runs that put City on the back foot, whilst drawing a few fouls.
Subs:
Ryan Bertrand (6):
Scored a late goal which gave us a chance to claw back. Had a bit of a fight with the City goalkeeper.
Daniel Sturridge (6):
Made a bit of an impact after coming off the bench. It was his rebounded shot that set up Bertrand to score.
The Referee – Kevin Friend (4):
Many will be angry at the referee for sending Ivanovic off, not because it wasn’t deserved, but City’s Savic could have seen a second yellow for a foul on Torres moments before. I have no arguments with the decision to send our right-back off though, I’m more disappointed that Ivanovic acted so recklessly.
Friend was far too card happy, especially with the Chelsea players and made a prat of himself.
mikel had a nightmare,frank did what frank does,luiz is getting better and better just needs to be a bit more sensible about going for interceptions.but why we never played essien rather than mikel is beyond me
Didn’t realise David Luiz has as many fangirls as Torres.
Maybe a three is harsh, but he was crap and over-commits time and time again.
All I hear is “he’ll learn” and a plethora of excuses. He’s a talented lad, there’s no doubting that but needs to work on his game. Fact is, it’s just not good enough at the moment, it isn’t as if he’s a teenager. He’s 25, time to grow up.
It’s YOU who is not growing up and being the stupid retard, Mr. Williams. You keep talking trash about fangirls or the NFL! Are you mentally impaired?
David Luiz performed exceptionally well in CL last season and was ROCK SOLID. If wasn’t him who managed to contain Tevez and Aguero, Chelsea may lose even more. He provided cover to Ivanovic.
He is good enough, MISTER. He is grown up, sir.
Mentally impaired? Perhaps. I think you need to calm down, Mr Ramirez.
In all seriousness,you have a difference of opinion and I respect that. In fact, I welcome different opinions. But you started questioning my opinion, logic and knowledge without showing respect. How do you expect me to react?
Luiz is our best defender with Cahill-Terry has had his days-someone only needs to advise Luiz to curb his zest to defend or maybe play him as the defensive midfielder compared to Mikel Luiz will be a shinning star in that position.
In my opinion, rating the ref higher than Luiz is retarded and pure craziness.
Because he correctly sent off Ivanovic for a stupid lunge?
If that was a City player going in on one of our players like that I would be furious, especially as it’s a friendly.
In general, the ref was awful and I’ve already conceded that I was perhaps harsh on Luiz but think most of you are overrating his performance. Hasn’t any positional sense whatsoever and commits all to easily.
I am a Mikel fan, but truth be told his performance yestergay was crap. Its like the Mancity players were told to choke him up on the ball everytime he recieves the ball and of course he found himself stranded ALL the time. If this is a perceived weakness that other teams have found, then it is a problem that needs to be addressed. We will need a skillfull ball holder who can dribble and hold his own such that any attempt to get the ball off him will result in at worst his being fouled – Josh or Oscar.
Up bluez.i must comment dat this boyz performed very well.im only goin 2 put this advise 2 RDM.dat weneva he wantz 2 mk a team list he should put his line up wit respect to the kind of team we are playing.juan mata waz not supose 2 play match cause he doesnt ve d strenght 4 dat match.n secondly ramirez should ve nt been converted to play 2.cos d way u can play man.city is 2 ve agile attackerz 2 push dem back.and i will final thnk d refree 4 his officiating.im sure he had an alert on his cell phone b4 d match commenced
Now I have heard it all. So people want to drop our most successful captain just like that, yet stick up for David Luiz? He’s good but has had plenty of ridiculous moments over 18 months.
For those against JT, those that have clearly never been to AN and talk lyk dis nd dat…just go back to supporting United.
*never been to a match
Damn phone
Luiz has had frequent brain fades but they are becoming less and less over time.
He can defend against the giants and the mosquito fleet, has wide range of passing,and importantly was huge when history came knocking on our door in champions league final (after being out with injury), is anyone really suggesting we get rid of this guy?