Hello and welcome to Sports Mole's live text coverage of this afternoon's mouth-watering encounter as Manchester City host Chelsea in the Premier League. We should have some team news for you shortly.

CHELSEA: Courtois; Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Azpilicueta; Ramires, Matic; Willian, Fabregas, Hazard; Costa

CHELSEA SUBS: Cech, Filipe Luis, Mikel, Oscar, Schurrle, Remy, Drogba

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho makes two changes to his starting lineup following Wednesday's draw with Schalke 04 in the Champions League. Cesar Azpilicueta and Diego Costa return to the side, while Filipe Luis and Didier Drogba drop to the bench. Elsewhere, Ramires, Nemanja Matic and Cesc Fabregas all start.

MAN CITY: Hart; Zabaleta, Kompany, Mangala, Kolarov; Milner, Fernandinho, Toure, Silva; Aguero, Dzeko

MAN CITY SUBS: Caballero, Sagna, Demichelis, Clichy, Lampard, Nasri, Navas

After seeing his team lose 1-0 at Bayern Munich in midweek, Manuel Pellegrini has made five changes to his starting lineup for today's game. Eliaquim Mangala is handed his debut for the hosts, while Pablo Zabaleta, Aleksandar Kolarov, James Milner and Sergio Aguero are all given the nod. Meanwhile, former Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard starts on the bench.

© Getty Images

Man City midfielder Fernandinho: "In the Premier League the most important thing is not to give the team at the top of the table reasons to keep winning game after game.

"We don't want a big space between us. We have to win because there are five points difference between us and Chelsea. We have to shorten it. Against Chelsea we have to win, to keep working and keep going until we are top of the table."

Chelsea striker Diego Costa: "The truth is I'm fairly relaxed. If they provoke me, I'll score against them. That happens here, it happened in Spain. Wherever I play, it'll always be like that. It's a perception people have of my character and people will look for any way to try to take advantage of it.

"The reality is, for the moment, that I haven't had any really physical battles. Things have been going well. So far, I'm enjoying it."

Speaking of Diego Costa, it's fair to say that the Spaniard is the man of the moment in the Premier League. Having arrived from Atletico Madrid in the summer for a reported fee of £32m, the forward has scored seven goals in his first five games for Chelsea. That's some record. However, Man City will have plenty of faith in their strike partnership of Aguero and Dzeko ahead of this match.

UPDATE! Today's early matches in the Premier League have both come to an end and there has been plenty of action in both. Firstly, Manchester United have suffered an incredible 5-3 defeat to Leicester after throwing away a two-goal lead twice during the game. Meanwhile, Tottenham Hotspur have been stunned 1-0 at home by West Bromwich Albion.

The team arriving earlier... #CFC pic.twitter.com/D3jpg8JG4Z — Chelsea FC (@chelseafc) September 21, 2014

It's been well documented that Man City have had an indifferent start to the defence of their Premier League title, but a win today would lift them to within two points of leaders Chelsea. Manuel Pellegrini's side have taken seven points from a possible 12 so far - a return that they will have to improve on if they want to retain their crown.

While City have yet to click into top gear, Chelsea have come flying out of the traps. Four wins from four have given Jose Mourinho's men a great platform on which to build, and a victory this afternoon would see their odds of lifting the Premier League trophy slashed already.

If you've got a couple of minutes to spare before kickoff, why not take a look at our video preview for today's match?

HEAD TO HEAD: Chelsea have the better record when it comes to past meetings between these teams, winning 67 games compared to 57 for Man City. There have also been 37 draws since they first met back in 1907.

It's been fairly even between Man City in Chelsea in recent years, though the London club won both matches in the Premier League last season, including a hard-fought 1-0 victory at the Etihad Stadium. However, City gained a measure of revenge by beating Chelsea in the fifth round of the FA Cup later in the campaign.

11 - Chelsea have won away at Man City more often than any other team in Premier League history (11 times). Specialists. — OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) September 21, 2014

As we approach kickoff, it's worth saying that the potential battle between Diego Costa and Vincent Kompany could be electric this afternoon. Both players are known for giving now quarter and there are sure to be plenty of eyes on them during the match to see who is winning that personal duel.

The players are emerging in the tunnel as the start of this match creeps closer. As you might imagine, there are plenty of intense-looking faces among the two teams. Not long to go now.

KICKOFF! The teams are out, the pre-match handshakes have been done and it will be Man City to kick us off at the Etihad Stadium. This could well be a cracker. Here we go!

It's been a positive start from the hosts, who have seen pretty much all of the ball during the opening stages. City win a corner thanks to some persistent work from Aguero down the right, but the delivery from Milner is easily cleared.

Man City are still dictating the tempo here, moving the ball about at a quick pace that Chelsea are struggling to adapt to. Manuel Pellegrini is sure to be pleased with how his players have started this game. Another corner is whipped in from the left, only for Willian to break up play by winning the visitors a free kick.

A first sniff of goal for Dzeko, who rises highest following a cross from Kolarov out on the left side. However, the Bosnian can only direct his header wide of Courtois's post after leaping above Terry.

CHANCE! Almost the opening goal for Man City as Toure gets on the end of Silva's corner, but the Ivorian's header is well held by Courtois. Plenty of eyes will be on the Ivorian today following his limp performance against Bayern Munich. He's looked lively so far at the Etihad Stadium.

Chelsea can hardly get on the ball at the moment as Man City dominate possession. The visitors are yet to put a meaningful attack together. Meanwhile, we're starting to see one or two tasty challenges going in, as demonstrated by Fernandinho's robust tackle from behind on Willian.

The hosts win another corner out on the right following some pressure, but a disappointing delivery from Silva is headed away by the Chelsea defence. A second corner is pumped in a few moments later, though it's easily dealt with again but the away side.

Chelsea are really having to dig their heels in as Man City continue to surge forward at every opportunity. The leaders are seeing a bit more of the ball compared to the start of the match, but they're still very much on the back foot.

It's not been the most free-flowing of encounters during the last few minutes, with both teams committing fouls and slowing play down. That's sure to suit Chelsea, who need to stifle Man City as best as they can. The hosts create something of a half-chance as Toure gets the ball on the edge of the box, but he gets the ball stuck under his feet before the danger subsides.

MATCH SHOT: @aguerosergiokun holds off the chasing Cesc Fabregas #mcfc pic.twitter.com/vDc9fDiA2o

— Manchester City FC (@MCFC) September 21, 2014

This is more like it from Chelsea. The visitors are looking a bit more dangerous in attack now following their inauspicious start. They haven't really done anything to trouble the champions, though Jose Mourinho will be happy that his team is seeing more of the ball.

Man City debutant Mangala has looked fairly composed so far. He's been brave the the tackle and hasn't appeared daunted. The Frenchman has also slotted in well with Kompany at the back, with the pair keeping Costa in check. The hosts win yet another corner that Silva takes, which yet again is cleared by the Chelsea defence. The delivery has to be better from those set pieces.

CHANCE! Man City threaten through Kolarov on the left, who picks out Fernandinho lurking on the edge of the box. The midfielder takes a wild swipe at the ball, which falls into the path of Milner out on the right. Milner whips in a decent cross, but Courtois is there to gather.

YELLOW CARD! Man City defender Zabaleta goes into the book for a trip on Hazard. It's also worth pointing out that Fernandinho picked up a yellow card earlier on for that tackle from behind on Willian.

PENALTY SHOUT! The resulting free is whipped into the box by Fabregas before the ball falls to Hart. However, Ivanovic wants a penalty for a possible handball. He's going made at referee Mike Dean for not giving that. It's hard to tell at the moment whether it was a penalty or not.

YELLOW CARD! That's a silly one from Ramires, who gets a caution after chopping down Aguero. Man City then find themselves in the Chelsea box, with Costa and Dzeko tangling. There are one or two shouts for a penalty from the City fans, though Mike Dean is having none of it. We've had plenty of action in the last few minutes.

Man City are pushing for the game's opening goal as we enter the final 10 minutes of the half. Toure tries to pick out Aguero with a beautifully-weighted ball over the Chelsea defence, only for Courtois to race off his lane and ease the danger.

YELLOW CARD! We get another booking now as Matic is shown a yellow card for needlessly kicking the ball away. That was idiotic from the Chelsea midfielder, it has to be said.

Only a handful of minutes of normal time remaining in the first half. Chelsea are seeing more of the ball right now, trying to take some of the sting out of the match. The visitors are passing it around casually, inviting City onto them. It's been a curious opening 45 minutes for Jose Mourinho's side, though they're still level with the champions.

YELLOW CARD! And we get another yellow card as Toure is cautioned for cynically bringing down Willian with Chelsea looking to break. Mike Dean is in that sort of mood this afternoon.

There will be THREE MINUTES of added time at the end of the half...

There's some concern for Willian here as he stays down following a challenge from Silva, but it looks as if the Brazilian will be okay. He's been lively for Chelsea so far when the visitors have been given the chance to venture forward.

Mike Dean blows the half-time whistle, bringing the curtain down on a cagey opening 45 minutes at the Etihad Stadium. Man City have dominated for large periods of the game, but they've lacked that bit of magic to unlock the Chelsea defence. Meanwhile, the visitors have struggled in attack.

The best opening for Man City during that opening half was probably Fernandinho's wild swing at the ball that landed at the feet of Milner before the midfielder's cross was collected by Courtois. Chelsea haven't really threatened at the other end, with Costa being afforded little in the way of room up top.

UPDATE! For those who might have missed today's earlier action in the Premier League, Manchester United were pegged back twice to lose 5-3 at Leicester City, while Tottenham Hotspur were stunned 1-0 at home by West Bromwich Albion. It's already been an amazing day in the top flight, let's just hope that we'll see a few goals in the second half at the Etihad Stadium.

PIC: Diego Costa in action in the first half... #CFC pic.twitter.com/L6N53r526A

— Chelsea FC (@chelseafc) September 21, 2014

The longer this game goes on, the longer all eyes will turn to the Man City bench to see if Frank Lampard will be introduced. It would be an intriguing sub-plot to an already intriguing game of the veteran midfielder enters the action to face his old club.

SECOND HALF UNDERWAY! The teams are back out and it will be Chelsea to kick us off for the second half. No changes from either manager at the break.

Man City have pretty much started the second half where they left off in the first, putting pressure on Chelsea and forcing the visitors back. Aguero gets a sight of goal from the edge of the box, but the Argentine's tame effort is easily saved by Courtois.

PENALTY SHOUT! Man City want a spot kick, but Mike Dean says no! Toure makes one of his trademark runs into the Chelsea box before being brought down by Ivanovic. That could have gone either way, though it was probably the right decision from Dean to wave play on.

Despite being given the chance to cool off during the break there's still plenty of needle between these two teams. Mangala and Costa have had a couple of tussles already in the second half, with the former holding his own. Costa has been able to rough up a few defences already this season, but he's not having too much luck this afternoon.

CHANCE! Man City come close through Fernandinho, who flashes a shot narrowly wide from the edge of the penalty area after Chelsea fail to clear the danger. Courtois looked well beaten there as the ball flew past him.

SAVE! The hosts come close to breaking the deadlock again, but Courtois pulls off a great save to keep the game goalless. The Belgian shotstopper gets down low to save Aguero's shot with his feet before Ramires makes a last-ditch challenge to deny Dzeko on the rebound. The champions are building the pressure here.

Much like the first half, Chelsea are being limited to the odd counter-attack as Man City do all of the pressing. Still, Manuel Pellegrini's side just can't conjure up that bit of extra quality to get through their opponents.

CHELSEA SUBS: The visitors make two changes now as John Obi Mikel and Andre Schurrle replace Ramires and Willian.

Man City are continuing to launch wave after wave of attacking, keeping Chelsea pinned back. The passing is crisp, the movement is good, but there is still something missing from their forward play. Is thing going to be a smash and grab display from Chelsea? You wouldn't put it past them.

RED CARD! (ZABALETA, MAN CITY) Now then! Man City are reduced to 10 men as Zabaleta is shown a second yellow card after clattering into Costa from behind. The pair then had a bit of coming together before the Argentine was given his marching orders by Mike Dean. How will that affect the nature of this match?

YELLOW CARD! Costa is also booked for the incident after reacting to the initial foul by Zabaleta. As you might imagine, the Man City fans are not happy with the decision to send off Zabaleta, but Mike Dean didn't have too much of a choice.

MAN CITY SUB: Man City make a change now as Bacary Sagna replaces Edin Dzeko. It's a sensible move from Manuel Pellegrini, considering that his side is down to 10 men.

Can you believe it?! Chelsea lead as the substitute Schurrle taps in at the far post following a quick counter-attack. The visitors break with Costa, who lays the ball out to the right for Hazard. The Belgian then puts a wonderful cross into the heart of the Man City penalty area, and there's Schurrle to slot home. Incredible.

MAN CITY SUB: The champions shake things up by bringing on Jesus Navas for Fernandinho. Man City have just over 15 minutes to salvage something from this game.

That goal has certainly invigorated Chelsea. The away side now look the more dangerous going forward, with Hazard, Schurrle and Costa linking well in the final third. Costa does well to find some space in the box as a cross comes in, but his header is saved by Hart. Meanwhile, Ivanovic goes into the book for a foul.

MAN CITY SUB: Here we go then. Frank Lampard enters the action against his former club, replacing Aleksandar Kolarov. The midfielder gets a good reception from both sets of fans.

8 - Eight of André Schürrle's 10 Premier League goals have come in away games. Devastating.

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) September 21, 2014

OFF THE POST! So close to a second for Chelsea as Costa rattles the frame of the goal with a low effort from the edge of the box. Could that be the slice of luck that Man City need to get something out of this game?

Man City are still huffing and puffing, though their numerical disadvantage is making life that extra bit difficult for them. Aguero isn't seeing too much in the way of service up front at the moment, while Silva and Toure need to make more happen from midfield. The hosts win a corner out on the left that Silva takes, only for his set piece to be hoofed away by Terry.

Wouldn't you just know it? Frank Lampard scores against his former club and looks as solemn as can be. Milner does well down the right before crossing in to the midfielder, whose first-time finish from about eight yards out gets past Courtois. Unbelievable.

CHELSEA SUB: The visitors react to being pegged back by taking of Costa and bringing on Drogba.

Man City are pushing as hard as they can for a winner as we head into the final few minutes. What a strange game this has been. The momentum was firmly with Chelsea after they went ahead, but the champions are now looking rampant following that equaliser from Lampard.

We will have FOUR MINUTES of added time at the end of this match...

WHOOSH! Chelsea win a free kick about 25 yards from goal that Drogba stands over. The Ivorian approaches the ball with his trademark run up, but he can only smash his effort high over the crossbar.

39 - Frank Lampard has now scored against a record 39 different Premier League clubs. Spread. — OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) September 21, 2014

There goes the full-time whistle and Chelsea's perfect start to the season has ended in some pretty amazing circumstances. The visitors have drawn 1-1 with Man City thanks to a late equaliser from former Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard.

That's all from our live text coverage of today's match, but don't forget that you can follow all of the reaction from both camps here on Sports Mole. Thanks for your company and we hope to see you again soon. Goodbye!