Wayne Bridge refused to shake John Terry’s hand, then snatched away all three points as well as Manchester City romped to victory against nine-man Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. Bridge’s reaction during the traditional pre-match pleasantries had been predicted, but precious else was on a crazy afternoon started and finished by Frank Lampard. In between though, Chelsea’s world had imploded.
Two howlers from stand-in Chelsea keeper Henrique Hilario allowed Carlos Tevez and Craig Bellamy to profit, then Juliano Belletti and Michael Ballack were red carded as Tevez and Bellamy scored again to fire City back into the top four and leave the hosts just one point clear of Manchester United.
Ballack also saw red and Lampard scored a consolation penalty.
City had failed to score in their previous seven visits to Stamford Bridge, while Chelsea had only conceded eight at home in the Premier League all season.
But those statistics were rendered meaningless on an afternoon of triumph for City coach and former Inter Milan boss Roberto Mancini, who pitted his wits in the Premier League for the first time against ex-AC Milan manager Carlo Ancelotti.
City saw their hopes of silverware this season ended by their FA Cup defeat at Stoke in midweek but they boosted their prospects of a top four finish by completing the double over Chelsea for the first time since 1957.
With Manchester United not in action this weekend, victory would have taken Chelsea four points clear at the top of the Premier League.
But it was a disastrous afternoon for Ancelotti, whose Chelsea had only dropped points in one previous home game this season, a 3-3 draw with Everton.
What’s more, his team lacked discipline after the break and were vulnerable in defence, with Hilario looking particularly suspect. — BBC Sport.

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