City 0-1 Chelsea - From the Manager to a Man Outstanding!!

Chelsea beat Manchester City in their own backyard to blow this title race wide open last night. From the Manager to a man, Chelsea were outstanding and fully deserved three points!

I was confident before the game about our chances on the counter attack as I never believed that City weren't impenetrable by any stretch of the imagination, but with the absence of Fernandinho in midfield, Chelsea looked the better balanced side.

Now before I get dogs abuse from City fans on here about how if they had Aguero, Nasri and Fernandinho playing it would be a different story, I want to point out one thing,  they all played at Stamford Bridge and we beat you there too so just accept the fact that you have been beaten twice!

Now, I said before the game that you simply cannot underestimate the power of Mourinho whether it's tactically, his preparation, his in-game decisions or the influence he has during the game from his technical area and tonight I was proven right once again. Mourinho delivered a masterclass in every sense of the word.

The decision to drop Oscar and Mikel in favour of Nemanja Matic and David Luiz was fantastic as both of them provided Chelsea with a screen in front of our back four and limited the influence the likes of Toure and Silva had in and around the box.

Another decision to bring Willian inside, stick Ramires out wide right and Hazard wide left again was proven to be the correct one. Time and time again on the counter, City were all at sea and despite hitting the woodwork THREE TIMES, we always provided City with an attacking threat and should have scored more!

Those players worked just as hard defensively in addition to our defensive players and to a man earned that result tonight. Gary Cahill at the back was once again a revelation. Playing next to JT we just look so much better organised and solid. Both old school type defenders who will put their bodies on the line to keep a clean sheet.

Petr Cech when called upon made some important saves and kept his concentration all game.

Ivanovic stepped up and scored the winner but made a fantastic contribution in his own half winning tackles and breaking up the City attack.

The same can be said of Cesar Azpilicueta up against Jesus Navas. For the most part, he remained solid and dealt with the threat down that side. When he was beaten, the others mopped up and cleared the ball away or made important blocks.

JT had another good game next to Cahill. When he isn't there, we miss his organisation in defence. He won important headers, made important blocks and gave another really good performance to prove those doubters wrong.

Gary Cahill is fast becoming the best defender in the Premier League in my book and produce another performance to challenge for Man of the Match. Winning tackles, making blocks, winning headers, or finding himself in the right place at the right time, Cahill was immense!

Nemanja Matic was different class once again and gave us a real presence in the holding midfield. His use of the ball is excellent and his positional sense fantastic.

David Luiz had a storming game, winning tackles, hassling City players and stepping in to win the ball.

Willian literally worked his socks off and played a massive part with and without the ball.

Ramires should have scored in the first half but again, worked his arse off without the ball and was always willing to push up and support our attacks.

Eden Hazard once again delivered the level of performance we have become accustomed to. All over the pitch, holding the ball up, creating chances, winning free kicks and working hard defensively, Hazard was right up there when it came to selecting the performance of the night.

Samuel Eto'o did what he had to do and did it well again. Unlucky to have hit the bar despite doing well to get his shot on target, he also worked hard without the ball.

Every single player gave everything tonight for the team and their manager and that is what pleases me the most. They worked for each other, fought for each other and as a unit. We defended superbly well but also attacked with real purpose rather than parking the bus as so many people thought Jose Mourinho would set his side up to do.

Chelsea produced a solid and assured display to send a message out to the rest of the Premier League. Jose Mourinho maybe playing down our chances of the title until next season but I can assure you and everyone else watching would have seen that we are right up there fighting for it this term!

Questions were asked of Mourinho and his men and from the Manager to a man they gave one hell of an answer!

Carefree & KTBFFH!