Today the leading clubs in the English Premier League, London's Chelsea and Manchester City, met. Both teams, unexpectedly losing last week to lower league teams and eliminated from the FA Cup, sought to redeem themselves. The best opportunity to do so was to defeat their main rivals for the English championship gold.
In a spirited match marked by excellent goals and great player dedication, a draw was recorded. The match ended 1-1. Both goals came at the end of the first half: first, Loic Remy put the hosts ahead, but just four minutes later, David Silva equalized for the visitors.
Among the teams leading the championship, there remains a 5-point difference, with Jose Mourinho's proteges slightly ahead on the ladder.
Result:
Chelsea 1 - 1 Manchester City
[1-0] 41' Loic Remy
[1-1] 45' David Silva
The match was brought to you by the most popular football news portal in Lithuania, EuroFootball.com, which provided a detailed match summary.
Starting lineups:
Chelsea: Thibaut Courtois (gk), Branislav Ivanovic, Kurt Zouma, John Terry (c), Cesar Azpilicueta, Ramires, Nemanja Matic, Willian, Oscar, Eden Hazard, Loic Remy. Subs: A. Christensen, N. Ake, R. Loftus-Cheek, I. Brown, D. Drogba.
Man City: Joe Hart (gk), Bacary Sagna, Vincent Kompany (c), Martin Demichelis, Gael Clichy, Jesus Navas, Fernando, Fernandinho, James Milner, David Silva, Sergio Aguero. Subs: W. Caballero, P. Zabaleta, D. Boyata, A. Kolarov, F. Lampard, S. Jovetic, E. Dzeko.
The first 25 minutes of the match were dominated by an even battle. Players fought more in the middle of the field. The most real opportunities to score for the visitors from Manchester were created by midfielder Fernandinho and forward Sergio Aguero.
Brazil's shot from the penalty area edge flew by the post, while the sniper from Argentina aimed at Chelsea's goalkeeper.
In the other goal, a dangerous pass was made by Willian to Loic Remy, but it was intercepted.
During the next 10 minutes, there were several dangerous attacks from the hosts. A noteworthy moment was a handball inside the penalty area by a Man City player, but the referee remained silent.
Immediately after that, City launched a counterattack, and the ball almost reached the goal. Aguero, escaping Courtois, shot inaccurately from an awkward angle.
The 41st minute - the first goal! After an attack initiated by Willian, a delightful pass from Eden Hazard found Loic Remy, who calmly sent the ball into the net. This was only the second shot on goal for the London club.
As the half approached its end, David Silva equalized the score. After a mistake by Courtois, Sergio Aguero provided a precise assist to the Spaniard.
The beginning of the second half differed only slightly from the first. Both teams did not have real chances, but it is worth mentioning a clever shot by Fernandinho, well saved by Courtois.
In terms of ball control, the visitors were slightly superior in all matches.
The intense battle continued. Both teams sought to score, but it seemed that the strategists of both teams would not be disappointed with a draw this evening. In the 77th minute, former Chelsea defender Frank Lampard appeared in City colors. The 36-year-old Englishman equalized for the Manchester team in their first match against Chelsea.
In the 86th minute, defender Gary Cahill replaced Loic Remy on the field. Another confirmation that a draw was the most likely outcome of this match. However, right after that substitution, the Man City players were close to scoring.
The hosts managed to defend against City's attacks and the scoreboard continued to show a tie after 90 minutes.
