Man City vs Chelsea: The One Without Jon Fearn

Costa just can't have pretty things

Oh Sunday. Bloody Sunday. Apologies for being late on this. It’s possible I’ve only just got through the traffic on the M40 and back to civilisation. If any of us are looking for a remote positive from the result it is at least a reprieve for and from Eva Carneiro and everything that surrounds that narrative. Don’t worry Jon Fearn — we’ll never forget you.

Thanks to the sensible planning from the City hierarchy, I nearly missed kick-off courtesy of a forced excursion to the Academy Stadium. And by the looks of how the match began, I don’t think I’m the only one who missed out and turned up exhausted — not pointing any fingers. But you know who you are Cesc Fàbregas* and the entire back line.

After Thibaut Courtois’ adventures in last man tackles last week, Chelsea were lucky to have Petr Cech Asmir Begovic at the ready. Within about 10 seconds Sergio Agüero appeared face to face with the Bosnian. There’s no way his teeny tiny legs could have carried him there that quickly, so there’s no other explanation other than he learned to apparate. As he seemed to do time and time again throughout the very long afternoon.

Through what seemed like an endless wave of attacks from the home side, just a single goal was scored in the opening half. Just before Chelsea could head to the dressing room taking solace they’d conceded just 1 while averting their eyes from the death stare from the bench it all got a bit manic. Begovic punched Gary Cahill in the face for failing to offer him any cover**. To the delight of the home fans, Cahill’s bloody nose meant an appearance from the new Eva-less medical staff. Who if memory serves would be sacked in the morning for coming onto the pitch.

Fernandinho saw this ‘comedic’ interlude as the best opportunity to introduce his elbow to Diego Costa’s face and let the Sprazilian know what he really thinks of that new haircut! It left Costa bandaged and seething as he tried to see off the Brazilian en route to the tunnel. His efforts were thwarted by Vincent Kompany and then by peacemaker - Rui Faria. You know it’s bad when Faria needs to be the calm and collected one.

Just as Mourinho’s run against frenemy Arsene Wenger ended just a couple of weeks ago, another spectacular run was swiftly brought to a close by Mourinho himself. After starting 177 Premier League matches under his management, Mourinho substituted Terry off for the first time. It’s not like he had an injured CB who should could have come off at the half to make way for Kurt Zouma …

Oddly things looked a little more settled as the second half began. Like Chelsea might actually just nick a goal. But with Costa’s plot for revenge taking precedence over his plot to score a goal that didn’t happen. Instead Chelsea opted for a Colombian shaped hole(s) on the pitch which resulted in 2 very late goals. Mourinho may have regarded this second half as a ‘false result’ but it felt all too real.

At least Chelsea have a trip to the Hawthorns next. It’s not like they’d lose 3-0 there …..

jb x

* I only blame Fabregras for that - he wasn't as bad as apparently people really wanted him to be. Pick on people your own size, you lot!


** the punch may have been accidental - but can we talk about why Cahill keeps getting hit in the face?!