Schurrle 33', Torres 90' Aguero 49'
Things get Nasty as Fernando Torres breaks City Harts at the Bridge.
Joe Hart and Matija Nastasic were involved in a calamitous blunder on Sunday evening which saw Fernando Torres net a 90th minute winner to send Chelsea two points behind Arsenal at the top of the table.
The Spaniard revisited his Liverpool days with a piquant performance that had Gael Clichy gasping like a chronically obese marathon runner. Torres was Head and Shoulders above anyone else on the park, but Manuel Pellegrini will be incensed after witnessing his goalkeeper and centre-back essentially hand the goal to the home side.
The eagerly anticipated tie began cheerfully for City who controlled the early play. Martin Demichelis made his first start for the sky blues beside Matija Nastasic; Javi Garcia was employed in the holding role just in front of him. The team selection prompted a few nervous grumbles, but the pair performed comfortably under the intense spotlight of the media.
Martin Demichelis made his first start as a Manchester City player against Chelsea on Sunday.
However, as is becoming the norm with today's City side, they conceded in the 33rd minute. Just moments after squandering a priceless opportunity to take the lead, Fernando Torres skipped round Gael Clichy to arrow in a delightful cross for Andre Schurrle to tap in his first Chelsea goal.
Clichy, renowned for his exhilarating pace, looked like Peter Kay chasing Usain Bolt and questions will be asked of the Frenchman who has struggled to hit form so far this season.
Andre Schurrle celebrates after opening the scoring for Chelsea.
Mourinho's minions were now in charge and proceedings could have taken an even sourer turn when Torres hit the post with an exquisite snapped effort from just outside the box. Clichy was struggling, Toure looked lazy and Aguero was lacking service; things needed to change if City were going to get back into the game.
Regardless of City's tendency to drift in and out of games, they can always rely on Sergio Aguero. The prolific predator pounced on a delightful ball from Samir Nasri and fittingly smashed the ball into the top corner with his left foot. The Argentine refuses to stop scoring at the moment and his fierce finish ignited a fresh impetus in City's play.
Sergio Aguero smashes home his 7th league goal of the season to equalise for City.
The game was there for the taking and Aguero's goal elevated Manchester City into the ascendancy. However, it was Jose Mourinho who arguably craved the three points more. Whilst Manuel Pellegrini threw Aleksandar Kolarov into the fray, 'The Special One' introduced Samuel Eto'o in a desperate attempt to seal a vital win. City's discipline at the back was indubitably helped by the experience of Demichelis, and the draw looked the likely result.
With only seconds left on the clock, a sickening lack of communication between Joe Hart and Matija Nastasic rewarded Fernando Torres with a deserved winner. Willian's menacing ball caught out the young Serbian who, despite seeing Hart run off his line, headed over the England stopper directly into Torres' path.
Hart was equally to blame. If he had stayed on his line, Matija's nod back would have been dealt with. As the home crowd shrieked with jubilation, City were left to scratch their Heads and shrug their Shoulders. An utter, utter calamity.
Fernando Torres celebrates his late winner.
Goalkeeping and defensive errors have become all too frequent under Manuel Pellegrini's leadership, but the Chilean can't be blamed for Sunday's sickener. The line-up was sensible and City were perhaps the better side on the day - Pellegrini got it right. However, it's time to consider Joe Hart's place in the starting line-up. His errors, whilst hard to criticise, are costing us and applying pressure on his position can only make him return to the form we know he can hit. Pantillimon is a sound option between the sticks and many believe it is time to utilise him.
It's a Hart-breaking reality, but our No.1 soon has to become our No.2.
Player Ratings
Joe Hart 5
Was at fault for Chelsea's winner in a moment of communicational madness. Has to be dropped in order to restore his form of old.
Pablo Zabaleta 7
Much better than his teammate on the left hand side and offered City a valuable option when attacking.
Martin Demichelis 6His first start in a City shirt was satisfactory. Not bad, but not great either. Lost Schurrle for Chelsea's opener.
Matija Nastasic 5
A day to remember for the young Serbian. Needs Kompany's influence alongside him and presented Torres with a horror header to score the winner.
Gael Clichy 5
Extremely poor. Looks to have lost his pace and was terrorised by Torres all afternoon.
Samir Nasri 7
Looked positive going forward and troubled Chelsea with his skill. Substituted too early.
Fernandinho 7.5
The main reason for City's domination in the second half. He'll continue to get better as he adapts to his surroundings.
Javi Garcia 7
More comfortable in his favoured midfield role and despite the many critics, he played reasonably well with a number of timely interceptions and tough challenges.
Yaya Toure 6
Yaya Toure 6
The aim was to allow Yaya to press forward by putting Garcia and Fernandinho in the holding role, but the big Ivorian failed to show up.
David Silva 7City's best player in the first half and always looked like he was going to split Chelsea's defence. Unfortunately, he never did.
Sergio Aguero 8Needed Negredo's height to help him but he battled on commendably and terrified Chelsea's back line. Another stunning goal for the Argentine, but our unbeaten record when he scores is now gone.
