Chelsea 2-1 Manchester City - Just what we needed.

What a result that was just when we needed it. I had said a week or so ago that the next three games could make or break our season just as everyone was writing Chelsea off, stating we were in a slump and a shadow of the side we used to be.

Three wins out of three against Newcastle, Valencia and last night against Manchester City has firmly put our season back on track!.

Credit goes to the AVB and to the players for last night's result. Let's be honest, Manchester City were much the better side in the first 20 minutes or so. Balotelli took his goal well as again our high defensive line was exposed with a fantastic turn and through ball from Aguero.

Their goal was disappointing to concede and it was all because of our high line again. I couldn't understand as to why we were playing like that again and once again we were put to the sword.

City will argue that they should have had a penalty and being honest, I was surprised it wasn't given. Getting home and seeing the replays on SKY last night all but confirmed to me it should have been given. It wasn't and Chelsea had luck on their side.

Then a key decision was made by AVB and his players. The high defensive line was done away with and we sat deeper and our midfield only pressed the ball in our own half. As a result the gap between the midfield and defence was smaller and we looked much more comfortable. From then on Manchester City found it hard to break us down.

Once Chelsea made the change and looked more comfortable we began to get our foot on the ball and cause City problems.

Our goal came from a great cross field pass from John Terry to Danny Sturridge from right to left. Sturridge brought the ball under control and took his man on, getting to the byline he crossed into the box and Raul Meireles was left unmarked 12 yards out to volley home into the net giving Joe Hart no chance. Chelsea back in the game at 1-1.

The goal was important for us, it settled us down in midfield and now we had a base to build on. That base came from Oriol Romeu who again was simply outstanding. Popping balls from right to left, forward and backwards, winning tackles and playing quick balls forward into feet. Chelsea have found a star in Romeu and he became more and more involved as the game went on.

City still looked dangerous on the break and had a chance that Aguero shot wide when he should have done better but apart from that we now looked comfortable as we went in at the break level.

The second half started pretty much the same as the first. City looking to get on the ball and getting David Silva involved as much as possible. Balotelli was also involved but apart from a shot from distance straight into the arms of Petr Cech, nothing to much to worry about.

The thing is as the second half went on after Chelsea were playing deeper, the likes of Aguero and David Silva drifted out of the game. We hardly saw anything of note from Aguero and Silva linking up and for City they must be disappointed.

The game turned in Chelsea's favour after Gael Clichy was sent off for two bookings. City can have no argument as he pulled back Sturridge after he turn him early on in the second half and then ten minutes later brought down Ramires as he nicked the ball past him towards goal, Clichy cutting across him stood on his foot and it was a definite sending off. City down to ten men with half an hour to go and I thought they were there for taking!.

City made a change and took Aguero off which although he wasn't in the game after half time, surprised me because being down to ten men, there was still the link up play between him and David Silva they could rely on. I would have taken off Balotelli. Anyway, Aguero came off and Toure came on at full back.

City were sitting back keeping men behind the ball now and relying on a counter attack or Balotelli to hold the ball up but he was finding it more and more difficult as Chelsea swept forward.

Romeu again was picking up the ball and popping it about as City dropped deeper. Cole and Bosingwa were also pushing forward and it looked like there would only ever be one winner in this one.

For me anyway, City still posed a threat to us because they had David Silva on the pitch and wit the way he has been playing we were always wary of him with the ball at his feet which is another reason why I couldn't understand why he was taken off and replaced by De Jong. I know Mancini probably thought at the time that because of the situation they were faced with, a point would be a good result so shutting up shop seemed like the right idea. If it was me I would have kept Silva on. Once we went off I honestly thought that City were really there to be had.

Chelsea kept probing City but apart from a cross that found Sturridge 12 yards out who used is chest to bring the ball down and then blazed a volley over the bar, Joe Hart was never really tested. I was sitting there thinking to myself, this is perfect for a Fernando Torres to come on and get in behind their defence. Drogba was doing OK but nothing like the Valencia performance and we needed a spark or something.

That spark came from Frank Lampard. Raul Meireles did well in the midfield, was rash at times int he tackle and lucky to only get a yellow card being honest, took his goal well and worked really hard like everyone else. In difficult conditions for the players, we needed fresh legs and Lampard gave us them.

Lampard came on and instantly got involved in some decent passing moves and got his foot on the ball. He provides an option to us with his experience and it was his pass that led to our second goal.

Lampard picked up the ball with defenders around him just outside the box and played the ball wide left to Sturridge who took a touch, cut inside the corner of the box and looked to bend the ball towards the far corner. His shot was blocked by two City defenders throwing themselves at the ball. One of them Joleon Lescott, held his arms up to protect his face and the ball struck his arm and gave the referee no option but to award Chelsea a penalty. Lampard stepped up and drilled the ball down the middle to make it 2-1!. What a penalty under immense pressure.

Juan Mata came off for Florent Malouda and Mikel came on for Sturridge late on to keep AVB's record of making three subs in every game this season. They were simply used to see the game out, defend first and they did exactly that with everyone else.

The final minutes defending a lead is where Didier Drogba comes into his own. The strength and power of the man holds off defenders, kills time and makes it easier for us. He did that, City ran out of time and Chelsea won the game 2-1.

The scenes at the end of this one from the players on the pitch to the fans in the stand showed exactly what this means to us. It was a great performance from the players after having to adapt on the pitch to a change in tactics. AVB deserves credit for making those decisions.

We are now seven points behind with a decent run of games coming up. Let's hope we kick on and treat every single game the way we have these last three.

Three wins from three, could you ask for anything more?

KTBFFH

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