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Player Ratings: Manchester City 1-1 Chelsea

Sports Mole takes a closer look at the individual performances during Chelsea's 1-1 draw at Manchester City.

Chelsea's winning start to the new Premier League season came to an end on Sunday with a 1-1 draw away to champions Manchester City.

The hosts dominated for large periods, but they were reduced to 10 men just after the hour when Pablo Zabaleta received his second yellow card of the game.

Jose Mourinho's side made their numerical advantage count minutes later as Andre Schurrle gave them the lead, but they were pegged back with five minutes left to play thanks to a goal from former Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard.

Here, Sports Mole takes a closer look at the individual performances from both sets of players at the Etihad Stadium.


Manchester City's English midfielder Frank Lampard acknowledges the crowd after scoring his goal during the English Premier League football match between Manchester City and Chelsea at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester on September 21, 2014© Getty Images

MAN CITY

Goal

Joe Hart: City's shot-stopper was not kept too busy as Chelsea rarely threatened his goal, but he was on hand to make a couple of good saves early on. (7/10)

Defence

Pablo Zabaleta: The Argentine gave a typically robust performance down the right flank. However, his zeal got the better of him in the second half when he picked up a second booking for a silly foul on Costa. (6/10)

Vincent Kompany: Captain Kompany made sure that City's defence remained organised throughout, even though they did not always have much to do. (7/10)

Eliaquim Mangala: Making his debut for City, Mangala impressed at the back as he kept Costa under wraps for most of the game. Also showed that he has an abundance of pace and power. (8/10)

Aleksandar Kolarov: Got involved with plenty of attacks for the home side, but he was exposed during the second half around the time that Chelsea got their goal. (7/10)

Midfield

James Milner: The England international never stopped running, offering the hosts a useful attacking outlet down the right. If you could bottle and sell his work ethic you would be a millionaire. (9/10)

Yaya Toure: So often City's talisman, Toure worked hard to get involved from central areas. Made a couple of his trademark marauding runs in the second half to put the fear in Chelsea. (7/10)

Fernandinho: Failed to impact the game from the centre of midfield. Frequently looked like a passenger before he was taken off on 73 minutes. (6/10)

David Silva: The Spaniard was at the heart of pretty much every meaningful attack that City had, though his deliveries from corners and set pieces were disappointing. (8/10)

Attack

Sergio Aguero: Huffed and puffed up front, but found it difficult to find any space in and around the Chelsea defence. It could be another couple of weeks before we see him back to full fitness. (7/10)

Edin Dzeko: Rarely influenced the match during his 70 minutes on the pitch as City often focused on trying to feed Aguero in attack. (6/10)

Substitutes

Bacary Sagna: Was brought on to shore up the City defence and did a decent job as the hosts piled the pressure on the away side during the final stages. (6/10)

Jesus Navas: Struggled to cause Chelsea too many problems when he was introduced with around 15 minutes left to play. (6/10)

Frank Lampard: Gave City a boost when he came on, culminating in his goal and the most muted celebration of all time. (7/10)


Andre Schurrle of Chelsea scores the first goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester City and Chelsea at the Etihad Stadium on September 21, 2014© Getty Images

CHELSEA

Goal

Thibaut Courtois: Had to be on his toes for much of the match as City racked up a total of 16 shots. Made an important save during the second half when he kept out Fernandino's effort with his feet. (7/10)

Defence

Cesar Azpilicueta: Replacing Filipe Luis at right-back, Azpilicueta enjoyed a solid game. The Spaniard's energy and focus were of value to the visitors. (7/10)

John Terry: In the kind of game that Chelsea's captain relishes, Terry was a rock in the heart of defence as City threw everything at the visitors. (8/10)

Gary Cahill: As usual, Cahill worked well with Terry as a centre-back pairing. The England international had to be disciplined for much of the match and that proved to be the case as City did most of the pressing. (8/10)

Branislav Ivanovic: Did not get forward as much as he would have liked due to City's dominance, but he performed his defensive duties well. (7/10)

Midfield

Eden Hazard: Was quiet during the opening 45 minutes, but he showed what he's all about after the break with a number of quick runs that worried City. (7/10)

Ramires: Was sturdy in his usual holding role. Made an incredible challenge on Dzeko during the second half that prevented a certain goal. (7/10)

Nemanja Matic: The Serbian was disappointing as the game seemingly passed him by on more than one occasion. A bit more dynamism from him and Chelsea could have been more competitive. (6/10)

Cesc Fabregas: Worked hard for the visitors, though he would probably have wanted to have got involved more further up the pitch. (7/10)

Willian: The tricky attacking midfielder was lively during the first half, but his influence waned before he was taken off on the hour. (7/10)

Attack

Diego Costa: Chelsea's man of the moment was kept at bay by Kompany and Eliaquim, stifling his influence on the match. That said, he still proved to be a handful due to his physicality. (7/10)

Substitutes

John Obi Mikel: Did not offer much for Chelsea from midfield when he came on with 63 minutes played. (6/10)

Andre Schurrle: Made a superb impact, scoring just minutes after he was introduced to the action. Allowed Chelsea to adopt a more attacking approach. (8/10)

Didier Drogba: Could have written the headlines with a free kick late on, but he blasted it into the stand. Was unable to do much else during the few minutes that he was on. (6/10)


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Referee Mike Dean shows a red card to Pablo Zabaleta of Manchester City during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester City and Chelsea at the Etihad Stadium on September 21, 2014
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