mancityblues.com

A pleasure to give and a pleasure to read hey lads?

Given 7 - when I reflect on the game, Given didn't have that much to do relative to what I was expecting. In part, this was because of the central defenders, and the good work of the midfield, but Mancini has to take a bit of credit, too. When called upon, Shay did what was required for the most part, making some great blocks (especially from Anelka and Cole, iirc).

Micah 6.5 - a mixed game today, defending well at times but also left looking exposed by Anelka on occasion.

Kompany 8 - composed and unyielding, but did lose Lampard for the first Chelsea goal.

Lescott 8.5 - looks like a 24 million pound defender on today's evidence. He and Kompany should remain first choice for the rest of the season.

Bridge 7 - good showing today under difficult circumstances. Defended stoutly, and judged the attacking/defending balance well.

De Jong 7 - did his job to the letter, broke up play, matched the runs of the Chelsea midfield for the most part.

Zaba 8 - as above, but a with a bit more of that Zaba special sauce. Chelsea don't like it up 'em.

Barry 7.5 - solid, intelligent, able to get forward to good effect in the second half.

Jonno 6.5 - caused Malouda some problems in the first half, but faded a bit in the second.

Bellamy 9 - top quality from Bellers, the fire is back and the Chelsea defense couldn't handle him.

Tevez 9.1 - edges Bellers for MoM for me, for the way he took the fight to the dirty Chelsea defense. Fantastic.

SUBS

SWP 7 - gave Malouda something to think about, more direct than Johnson today. It's great we finally have options on the right.

RSC 6 - added some height and an out-ball when needed.

Sylvinho n/a

Mancini 8.5 - well, it has to be said that Bob got it right today, and was able to use the Stoke result and the Terry controversy to get his team fired up, especially in the second half. It could be said that the first City goal got us out of jail a bit, but Mancini recognized that Chelsea are not the quickest at the back and set his team up to play on the counter, which they did very well. The continuity provided of having a settled back-line and a solid, pragmatic 3-man midfield is beginning to show - the players looked comfortable with the system and each other. Special mention must go to the midfield, though - yes, the central defence, Tevez and Bellers did superbly; but as a unit, Barry, De Jong and Zaba really got among the Chelsea midfielders and that swung the game in City's favour, imho. Against more defensive teams this combination probably doesn't have enough guile to get through a packed defense, but against a confident, attacking side like Chelsea it was spot on.
~Bloovic~