London: Chelsea came from behind to secure a 3-1 win at Manchester City and forge further clear at the top of the Premier League as a dramatic top-of-the-table clash ended in a mass brawl and two City players being sent off Saturday.
Diego Costa, the league’s leading marksman, scored his 11th of the season on the hour to equalise, substitute Willian notched on the counter-attack 10 minutes later and Eden Hazard sealed the deal in the 90th minute.
Gary Cahill had given City a deserved lead just before half time, slicing the ball into his own net with a clumsy attempted clearance, and the home side looked ready to wrap up the points after the break as Kevin De Bruyne missed from three metres when it seemed easier to score.
In injury time, with Chelsea’s eighth straight win sealed, mayhem broke out following a terrible tackle by Sergio Aguero on David Luiz. The Argentine was shown a red card and, as players piled in, Fernandinho was also dismissed for pushing Cesc Fabregas over the advertising hoardings.
If City had dominated the openings, it was the turn of the Blues to emerge deserved winners with their second half display. Playing on the counter-attack, conceding possession, they pulled City apart on three separate occasions. And that was enough to record a clear win which had the Etihad clearing out for the trams and half empty by the final whistle.
Antonio Conte’s Chelsea were just smarter and more streetwise than the rest. Costa was outstanding again, in the second half; David Luiz, for all the controversy he would attract, utterly compelling as a leader. They have quality: Costa, Willian and Hazard’s strikes were all excellent while Cesc Fabreags, back in the team, produced lovely assists.
Agencies
