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On Saturday evening, like the rest of you, I was surprised at the level of Chelsea performance especially in the second half. However, based on the fact that Chelsea managed to stand firm, it's a great result!
Chelsea looked like a team that had played 120 minutes in the League Cup Semi Final a few days previously as the game moved into that second period. City looked much sharper, looked quicker and most importantly of all, looked to have that extra yard of pace.
As the game was panning out, I thought we were in a dangerous position. We didn't have much to call upon to change the game with FOUR youngsters on the bench compared to City who had the likes of Jovetic, Dzeko and Lampard waiting for action.
You will agree that it was City that looked the more likely to score but to our credit, Chelsea stood firm once again and it's those defensive qualities that in games such as these can make so much of a difference.
I'm not 100% certain that City are able to stand firm and grind out results. OK, they took a draw from Stamford Bridge but let's face it, without Costa and Fabregas, Chelsea's firepower was severely lacking.
People will have their own thoughts on the game and the result but I can only see it being a positive. The reason? City HAD TO beat us to close the gap to two points knowing that if we drew a game which they win, it would bring us back level on points or a game lost would mean they would go above us.
The fact that it's FIVE points is massive. It's two defeats for the Blues to put City back into contention. Even for Chelsea to draw two games that City win would keep us in front by a point. Mentally and physiologically it's a massive difference.
You only have to look at the run-in between now and the end of the season for both sides to see that Chelsea should have the advantage. City's is far worse that ours and we just need to remain focused on each game as it comes.
You have heard Frank Lampard talk about how the result is better for Chelsea than it is for City and he is spot on. This was a MASSIVE point for Chelsea!
What do you people think of the point and of our performance on Saturday night?
