46 - The number of changes Pep Guardiola has made to the Man City starting XI in the #PL this season, the most by any manager #MCICHEpic.twitter.com/HrqatBOGh1
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3 Dec 2016
12:27PM
Surprisingly, Chelsea have lost six of their last eight games at Manchester City in all competitions, but have won 11 games there in the Premier League – their highest total on the road in the league’s history.
SAVE! Stinging attempt from Aguero is tipped over by Courtois.
A darting run by Kolarov from his own half allows the Serbian to pick out the striker on the edge of the box, Aguero shifts the ball but his shot is comfortable for the Chelsea goalkeeper.
3 Dec 2016
12:56PM
Man City score but it’s disallowed!
An inch-perfect free-kick from De Bruyne is met by the head of Fernandinho in the box, but the Brazilian is correctly adjudged to be offside.
3 Dec 2016
12:57PM
CHANCE! Immediately Chelsea hit City on the break.
Hazard looks certain to score and takes the ball around Bravo, but opts to pass rather than shoot from a tight angle, however covering home defenders clear the ball.
3 Dec 2016
1:02PM
Big moment! David Luiz is a lucky boy!
Aguero chases a long ball from De Bruyne, Azpilicueta’s pass back to Courtois is short and the Brazilian defender deliberately blocks the run of the Manchester City striker.
Referee Taylor looked set to produce a card, but play continued.
Surprisingly, it’s the first time the pair has met as managers.
Martin Rickett
Martin Rickett
3 Dec 2016
1:06PM
CHANCE! A superb diagonal ball from Silva finds the on-rushing Sane, he then pulls the ball back for Aguero in the six-yard box, but Azpilicueta is the saviour with a last-gasp block .
It’s been an intriguing and compelling game, but we’ve had just that Aguero shot on target so far.
3 Dec 2016
1:15PM
MISS: Another deadly cross from De Bruyne on the right flank and he finds Aguero, but the Argentina striker heads his attempt wide with Moses doing just enough to put the striker off balance.
City take the lead on the stroke of the half-time after Cahill inadvertently knocks the ball into his own net.
Navas crossed the ball from the right flank but the England defender opts to clear the ball with his right foot, rather than his left, and pokes the ball into his own net. Oh dear!
OFF THE LINE! Nearly a gift for Aguero but Cahill scrambles the ball clear after hesitation between the defender and Courtois.
Aguero very nearly pounced, taking the ball around the goalkeeper but Cahill keeps his side in the game.
3 Dec 2016
1:46PM
WHAT A CHANCE! Somehow from two yards out De Bruyne misses an open goal and rattles the crossbar.
Superb move from City initiated by Gundogan then Silva, and it was Navas who sprayed the ball across the six yard box but unbelievable the former Chelsea man missed when it was easier to score.
Conte’s side respond after that missed opportunity to level the game!
A superb diagonal ball from Fabregas picks out Costa in the box, the striker controls the ball perfectly and outmuscles Otamendi to fire the visitors level!
3 Dec 2016
1:50PM
SAVE! Again Aguero is denied by Courtois, after shooting straight at the goalkeeper.
Devastating counter from Willian sees Chelsea take the lead.
A clinical finish from the Brazilian, who dedicates his goal to Chapecoense, and he catches City cold with questions to be asked about their defence, but his driven shot put’s Conte’s in front.
Moments earlier Gundogan looked to be strolling through the Chelsea defence, but his failed to pick out a sky blue shirt.
3 Dec 2016
2:04PM
SUB: Second change for City with Toure replacing Gundogan.
3 Dec 2016
2:06PM
SUB: Final change for the home side with the striker Iheanacho taking the place of defender Stones.
Chelsea have a very solid-looking shape at the moment. Not as many gaps for City to exploit in the closing stages. But anything could happen in the last three minutes plus stoppages.
Game, set and match! Chelsea have laid a marker in this title race. And how!
Alonso finds Hazard with a searching pass, City defender Kolarov doesn’t have the energy to match the Belgian’s pace and the 25-year-old ensures it’s eight league wins on the bounce for Chelsea with a neat finish.
An angry Aguero completely losses his head and fouls Luiz with a dangerously tackle.
Fernandinho then puts his hands around the neck of Fabregas, who didn’t retaliate, but was pushed into the stands with the fans, managers and players all getting involved in ugly scenes to end a really entertaining game.
3 Dec 2016
2:31PM
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As it happened: Man City v Chelsea, Premier League
Good afternoon and welcome to our coverage of the weekend’s headline clash in the Premier League as Manchester City host league leaders Chelsea.
There are six changes to the City team that beat Burnley last weekend.
Gundogan returns in the place of Toure, while Navas and Sane start on the wings, with Sterling missing through injury.
Stones also comes in as City revert to a three-man defence, with De Bruyne and Silva also restored to the starting XI.
For the visitors, Fabregas makes his first appearance since being substituted in the 3-0 loss at Arsenal – in the place of the injured Matic.
Impressive!
Remember you can hit us up with any predictions you may have via Facebook, Twitter or in the comments section.
Surprisingly, Chelsea have lost six of their last eight games at Manchester City in all competitions, but have won 11 games there in the Premier League – their highest total on the road in the league’s history.
There will be a moments silence for the Chapecoense tragedy.
Particularly poignant for City’s Brazilian duo Fernandinho and Fernando, as well as Chelsea’s David Luiz, Willian and Brazil-born Diego Costa.
The game is on!
The players wore t-shirts remembering the Brazil football team in the warm-up.
Early signs look like City will match Chelsea’s 3-4-3 formation.
Shouts of handball from City! But referee Anthony Taylor says no.
Cahill dives to the ground to tackle Silva in the box, the ball touches his hand as the Spanish international tries to dribble the ball behind him.
In truth, the England defender had no idea where the ball was.
Warning for Stones!
The big summer signing, who is playing in the centre of the back three today, tries to play the ball out against Costa but losses the ball.
The Chelsea striker tries to pick out Pedro, but the ball is cleared.
CLOSE! A long ball from Chelsea falls to the feet of Hazard, the Belgian curls his attempt just wide of the post though.
YELLOW CARD! Booking for Otamendi following a dangerously high tackle on Costa. Free-kick to Chelsea in their own half.
SAVE! Stinging attempt from Aguero is tipped over by Courtois.
A darting run by Kolarov from his own half allows the Serbian to pick out the striker on the edge of the box, Aguero shifts the ball but his shot is comfortable for the Chelsea goalkeeper.
Man City score but it’s disallowed!
An inch-perfect free-kick from De Bruyne is met by the head of Fernandinho in the box, but the Brazilian is correctly adjudged to be offside.
CHANCE! Immediately Chelsea hit City on the break.
Hazard looks certain to score and takes the ball around Bravo, but opts to pass rather than shoot from a tight angle, however covering home defenders clear the ball.
Big moment! David Luiz is a lucky boy!
Aguero chases a long ball from De Bruyne, Azpilicueta’s pass back to Courtois is short and the Brazilian defender deliberately blocks the run of the Manchester City striker.
Referee Taylor looked set to produce a card, but play continued.
Guardiola is furious.
‘Tis the season.
Surprisingly, it’s the first time the pair has met as managers.
CHANCE! A superb diagonal ball from Silva finds the on-rushing Sane, he then pulls the ball back for Aguero in the six-yard box, but Azpilicueta is the saviour with a last-gasp block .
It’s been an intriguing and compelling game, but we’ve had just that Aguero shot on target so far.
MISS: Another deadly cross from De Bruyne on the right flank and he finds Aguero, but the Argentina striker heads his attempt wide with Moses doing just enough to put the striker off balance.
GOAL! Man City 1-0 Chelsea (Cahill OG 45′)
City take the lead on the stroke of the half-time after Cahill inadvertently knocks the ball into his own net.
Navas crossed the ball from the right flank but the England defender opts to clear the ball with his right foot, rather than his left, and pokes the ball into his own net. Oh dear!
HT: Man City 1-0 Chelsea
Here is the first-half in numbers:
That’s usually my reaction early on a Saturday too!
Second-half has started!
SAVE: A low drive by De Bruyne from a tight angle is blocked by Courtois at the near post.
Brilliant driving run from Sane to start the move.
SUB: Pedro, who picked up an injury in the first-half, is now replaced by Willian.
OFF THE LINE! Nearly a gift for Aguero but Cahill scrambles the ball clear after hesitation between the defender and Courtois.
Aguero very nearly pounced, taking the ball around the goalkeeper but Cahill keeps his side in the game.
WHAT A CHANCE! Somehow from two yards out De Bruyne misses an open goal and rattles the crossbar.
Superb move from City initiated by Gundogan then Silva, and it was Navas who sprayed the ball across the six yard box but unbelievable the former Chelsea man missed when it was easier to score.
GOAL! Man City 1-1 Chelsea (Costa 60′)
Conte’s side respond after that missed opportunity to level the game!
A superb diagonal ball from Fabregas picks out Costa in the box, the striker controls the ball perfectly and outmuscles Otamendi to fire the visitors level!
SAVE! Again Aguero is denied by Courtois, after shooting straight at the goalkeeper.
SUB: Sane is off, Clichy is on.
GOAL! Man City 1-2 Chelsea (Willian 70′)
Devastating counter from Willian sees Chelsea take the lead.
A clinical finish from the Brazilian, who dedicates his goal to Chapecoense, and he catches City cold with questions to be asked about their defence, but his driven shot put’s Conte’s in front.
Moments earlier Gundogan looked to be strolling through the Chelsea defence, but his failed to pick out a sky blue shirt.
SUB: Second change for City with Toure replacing Gundogan.
SUB: Final change for the home side with the striker Iheanacho taking the place of defender Stones.
De Bruyne will not be watching Match of the Day later.
Nice touch!
Chelsea have a very solid-looking shape at the moment. Not as many gaps for City to exploit in the closing stages. But anything could happen in the last three minutes plus stoppages.
Chalobah has come on for Costa.
GOAL! Man City 1-3 Chelsea (Hazard 90′)
Game, set and match! Chelsea have laid a marker in this title race. And how!
Alonso finds Hazard with a searching pass, City defender Kolarov doesn’t have the energy to match the Belgian’s pace and the 25-year-old ensures it’s eight league wins on the bounce for Chelsea with a neat finish.
RED CARD: Agureo is off!
RED CARD! Fernandinho is also gone!
FT: Man City 1-3 Chelsea
An angry Aguero completely losses his head and fouls Luiz with a dangerously tackle.
Fernandinho then puts his hands around the neck of Fabregas, who didn’t retaliate, but was pushed into the stands with the fans, managers and players all getting involved in ugly scenes to end a really entertaining game.
Thanks for joining us this afternoon, we’ll have all the reaction from the Etihad and all the other matches taking place throughout the day.
The42 is on Instagram! Tap the button below on your phone to follow us!
Conte and Guardiola face off for the first time and the Premier League talking points
Randolph to thwart Arsenal, United to be held and other Premier League bets to consider
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