Man City 0-3

Independent:
Sergio Aguero inspires City to emphatic win as John Terry is hauled off at half-time
 
Manchester City 3 Chelsea 0
Sam Wallace  

We are only eight days into the new season and already Jose Mourinho is one doctor down, 16th in the Premier League table and has a captain
wearing the expression of a man watching his home being repossessed. Chelsea have certainly started with a bang but the smoke is coming from under
their own bonnet.

Diagnosis? Not yet critical, but with the potential to get much worse if things cannot be changed. With the caveat that these are early days, this was a
wonderful performance from Manuel Pellegrini’s Manchester City team who took the initiative within the first 20 seconds of the game and simply got
stronger from there. It was City who looked invigorated, positive and full of confidence – if anything they looked like the defending champions.
There was a new three-tier South Stand open for the first time at the Etihad Stadium, and a team that looked radically different from the side that
ceded the title so weakly at the turn of the year. Sergio Aguero, starting his first game of the season, was exceptional, and so too the likes of David
Silva and Fernandinho but all the time you waited for Chelsea’s response and it never arrived.
The drama was heightened by Mourinho’s decision to substitute John Terry for the first time in 177 league games over the two spells that this
manager-player partnership has been in existence. The explanation from Mourinho was that he wanted to play a higher line and in order to do so
needed the pace of Kurt Zouma to defend further up the pitch, but Terry returned to watch the second half with a cloud over his head as grey as
anything the Manchester climate serves up.
John Terry looks on after his half-time substitution John Terry looks on after his half-time substitution  When asked about the decision, Mourinho
immediately adopted his own defensive line – reminding all concerned that it was he who had resurrected Terry’s Chelsea career. “I don’t know if you
ask [Rafa] Benitez, Roberto Di Matteo who never played him,” he said. “I am the one who plays him every game, and recovered him in difficult moments
with others managers. [I am] the one who has the right to look at the game and say ‘I want Zouma on the pitch’.
The prospect of a fissure opening between Mourinho and his 34-year-old captain is really the least of his worries, and both of them seem a bit long in
the tooth for that now. Of more immediate concern was how brittle Chelsea look defensively – Mourinho admitted to a “fragility” – and what
implications that might have for the rest of their season.
Mourinho tried to put a brave face on it all, claiming that Chelsea had enjoyed the better of a second half in which they eventually conceded two goals
but the malaise goes a lot deeper than that. Gary Cahill was out of form and struggling with a bleeding nose. Diego Costa’s provocation schtick got little
change of Vincent Kompany and Eliaquim Mangala. Eden Hazard and Cesc Fabregas were not the game-changers of 12 months ago.
Aguero gave City a well-deserved half-time lead and Kompany and Fernandinho scored in the last ten minutes. It was patently obvious that this
Chelsea team need the kind of lift that only a player capable of breaking into their first XI can provide, and that is unlikely to be supplied by signing
Baba Rahman, a second-choice left-back, or even John Stones from Everton.
Of course, it had to be this day that Chelsea found themselves reaching the break with too few medical staff to go around, and blood and bandages
proliferating. After 45 minutes of being run all over the pitch by City, it was Chelsea’s recently down-sized medical department that found itself over-
stretched.
The stand-in doctor Chris Hughes was still treating a blow to Cahill’s face that required cotton wool to staunch the bleeding, when Diego Costa was
felled by Fernandinho’s elbow. In the meantime, the auxiliary medical team had to treat Costa who needed a bandage around the head and ended the
half chasing his fellow Brazilian down the tunnel.
While this went on, Mourinho had to listen to the name of Eva Carneiro, his recently demoted doctor, being chanted around the stadium by the home
support. “You’re getting sacked in the morning,” sang the City fans to the newly installed Chelsea medical team. And on top of that there were too few
medics to go around. Truly, football has that miraculous habit of foiling the best-laid plans.
The opening stages had been grim for Mourinho as his team staggered from repelling one City attack after another. Three times in the first 17 minutes
the goalkeeper Asmir Begovic saved instinctively from Aguero, including one fine stop in the first 20 seconds.
Cahill was struggling badly against the Argentine and found himself turned after 16 minutes and reliant on a second save from Begovic. The goal on 31
minutes was brilliantly worked with a ball in from the right from Jesus Navas, and an exchange with Yaya Toure before Aguero took the return on his
chest and turned away from Cahill into space to score.
Vincent Kompany celebrates City's second Vincent Kompany celebrates City's second  The elbow by Fernandino on Costa should have been a red card,
Mourino said later, and having been kicked earlier by Kompany, the Chelsea striker was in no mood to shake and make-up. It took a few of his team-
mates and most of the backroom staff to stop him charging down the tunnel after Fernandinho.
Zouma replaced Terry at half-time and after the hour Mourinho brought on Juan Cuadrado for Ramires. He brought Fabregas back alongside Nemanja
Matic but it made precious little difference.
In midfield for City, Fernandino was outstanding and Toure’s work rate appeared to have climbed steeply. The best chance for Chelsea came when
Fernandinho slipped in midfield and allowed Hazard a run at goal. But Chelsea lingered over the shot itself and Joe Hart saved. In the seconds after
Mourinho’s third substitution – Radamel Falcao for Willian – the second, decisive goal came.
That was the second header in two games from Kompany and, like the one against West Bromwich Albion six days earlier, was from a Silva corner. The
final goal, with Chelsea stretched, was buried by Fernandinho. It is a rare sight to see Mourinho’s team so completely beaten with five minutes left.
Everywhere he looked he saw players who had come off second best, and the question will now be whether he can afford to trust them to change.

Manchester City (4-2-3-1): Hart; Sagna, Mangala, Kompany, Kolarov; Toure, Fernandinho; Navas (Nasri, 65), Silva, Sterling (Demichelis, 79); Aguero
(Bony, 83).
Substitutes not used: Caballero (gk), Zabaleta, Clichy, Iheanacho.
Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Begovic; Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry (Zouma, ht), Azpilicueta; Ramires (Cuadrado, 64), Matic; Willian (Falcao, 79), Fabregas, Hazard;
Costa.
Substitutes not used: Blackman (gk), Falcao, Mikel, Remy, Loftus-Cheek.
Referee: M Atkinson
Man of the match: Fernandinho
Rating: 8
Booked: Manchester City Kompany, Fernandinho, Toure Chelsea Ivanovic, Hazard

==============

Guardian:

Manchester City’s Sergio Agüero too good for Chelsea as Diego Costa labours
Man City 3 - 0 Chelsea
Daniel Taylor at the Etihad Stadium

It was the kind of victory, one imagines, the entire medical profession will toast. Well, apart from the two physiotherapists in Chelsea colours who came
on during the first half, dropped some of their equipment, missed the fact there were two injured players rather than one and gave Manchester City’s
gloating supporters the chance to add to José Mourinho’s discomfort.
By the end, Mourinho’s players looked just as confused and his medics might have to understand if the loud cries of “sacked in the morning”, followed
by chants in favour of Dr Eva Carneiro, become a regular soundtrack wherever Chelsea play this season. Nothing, however, will have irritated their
manager more than the way his players crumpled. They have seldom been beaten so comprehensively and, on top of everything else that has
happened in the embryonic stages of the new season, Chelsea could hardly have imagined their defence of the title would get off to a more harrowing
start.
 
They have shown their staying power before and it would be daft to write them off but it must be disturbing, nonetheless, for Mourinho that his team
are five points behind already and locked in a game of catch-up against the side that has just subjected them to a rare, old-fashioned beating. City
look stronger, fitter and more motivated than last season and even at this early stage the gap feels like a sizeable advantage. Yes, it is way too early
to make snap judgments about the impact on the title race. It has, however, been long enough to ascertain that Manuel Pellegrini’s team are going to
make a much better fist of it this time.
City have started the new campaign in a way that makes it feel perplexing they could not have challenged Chelsea more tenaciously last year. It was
rare to see Mourinho’s team look so vulnerable and even ignoring, for one moment, the goals from Sergio Agüero, Vincent Kompany and Fernandinho,
there were so many other chances for City it felt slightly preposterous for Chelsea’s manager to call it a “fake result”.
Mourinho’s argument was that Chelsea were the better side in the second half and, perhaps for 25 minutes, they were. Yet the rest of the match leant
heavily in City’s favour and the bumper crowd of 54,331 – on the day City opened the new, vertiginous South Stand – could also reflect on four
presentable chances, all falling to Agüero, before the scoring started and John Terry’s afternoon turned into a personal ordeal.
Terry played every single minute for Chelsea in the league last season. He had not been substituted in 177 games and his withdrawal at half-time,
looking like a player in need of smelling salts, probably epitomised how the afternoon went for the champions.
Agüero had given him the runaround and seemed locked in a personal duel with Asmir Begovic, deputising for Thibaut Courtois in the Chelsea goal,
before his perseverance finally paid off just after the half-hour, when he turned away from Gary Cahill and expertly rolled a left-foot shot in off the
post. Agüero was a constant menace and if he can avoid the injury issues that have affected him over the previous two years there can be no doubt
City have the most accomplished striker in the league.
Chelsea have a formidable one of their own in Diego Costa but the difference between the two was laid bare here. Agüero spent the match trying to
find a legitimate way past the Chelsea defence, always looking for space and an opportunity to draw back his shooting foot. Costa, on the other hand,
seemed entirely preoccupied with winning free-kicks, throwing his hands in the air in barely plausible outrage and trying to pick fights that, for the
most part, were only in his imagination.
He was entitled to be aggrieved by the clattering elbow that left him with a bandaged head towards the end of the first half and could easily have
resulted in a red card for Fernandinho. Yet there has been a change in Costa since his hamstring problem flared up last season. His aggression can be a
useful trait but it is reaching the point when it is his first tactic, and threatening only sporadically in more orthodox ways.

What Costa could not do was make any lasting impression on a City defence where Kompany looks more like his old self and Eliaquim Mangala seems far
more comfortable than before. Yaya Touré looks rejuvenated and Raheem Sterling has given City a new way to penetrate defences on the left side of
attack.
Kompany’s goal came directly from David Silva’s corner, emulating what happened at West Bromwich last Monday, and precisely the kind of
straightforward header-at-set-piece goal that a fully functioning Chelsea do not usually concede.
Likewise, the shot from Fernandinho to finish off the scoring after 85 minutes was beautifully taken, lashed past Begovic from 20 yards with great
power and control, but Mourinho must have noted the poor defending from Branislav Ivanovic that allowed Silva to divert the ball into the Brazilian’s
path. Terry’s withdrawal might generate headlines but the truth is the Chelsea defence looked strangely susceptible. No team can expect to defend like
that against these opponents and get away with it and City, with back-to-back 3-0 wins, look like they will take some stopping.
Man of the match Fernandinho (Manchester City)

===============

Telegraph:

Man City 3 Chelsea 0
City send out an emphatic message as Chelsea collapse at the Etihad
Jason Burt

For this one, Jose Mourinho had to take his medicine. Chelsea, the champions, were utterly dominated, over-run, undone by Manchester City. At the
end of a week over-shadowed by Mourinho’s brutal and controversial treatment of two of his club’s medical staff, it is now his team that needs
surgery. Oh doctor, how they were in trouble. The diagnosis appears serious.
Instead the captain simply suffered from humiliation while neither Gary Cahill nor Branislav Ivanovic could cope with City’s pace, purpose and verve.
Here was laid bare why Mourinho is searching to re-build his defence with a fresh bid for Everton’s John Stones expected before the transfer window
closes to add to the deal for Augsburg left-back Baba Rehman, whose signing was confirmed after the final whistle.
Mourinho gave a cogent enough argument for taking off Terry – he needed more pace, he needed Kurt Zouma on the pitch – but it still felt like a big
moment in the 34-year-old’s career. Terry has shown remarkable powers of recovery in the past so should never, ever be written off. But, still, this
was a shock and a fresh debate has been opened.
Inevitably – given the focus on their medics - Chelsea were in the wars with Cahill’s bloody nose and Costa’s head being bandaged but that was as
nothing to the wounded pride they suffered to a City side brimming with desire and unleashing their awesome attacking power. 
If their 3-0 victory over West Bromwich Albion was a statement of intent then here was its emphatic follow-up with goal-scoring captain Vincent
Kompany declaring there is “more to come”. The hunger is back. City even look leaner, more threatening and, in that, Mourinho-esque.
City are unquestionably, already, the team to beat this season and manager Manuel Pellegrini deserves huge credit given how fragile his hold on the
job looked, at times, last season. Everything clicked. City have added Raheem Sterling and appear to be closing in on Valencia defender Nicolás
Otamendi. There is the injured Fabian Delph to be introduced – and maybe more. It is formidable.
Suddenly, also, City are five points ahead of Chelsea. Mourinho labeled it a “fake result” and obviously there is so long to go – but City looked the real
deal. Chelsea certainly did not.
Mourinho also claimed that while City had taken the first-half, the second belonged to Chelsea. But that was nonsense. City scored three but should
have scored three – at least – in the first period. Chelsea did not have a shot on target until the 70th minute although, to be fair, Eden Hazard should
have scored and would have leveled had Joe Hart not blocked.
There was more validity in Mourinho’s declaration that the otherwise outstanding Fernandinho should have been red-carded for the elbow that caught
Costa’s head. Chelsea were, collectively, dazed. Costa is struggling. Cesc Fabregas is not the creative force he was last season.
They need to re-discover their ‘mojo’ and while Mourinho remained typically defiant the empire needs shoring up. And quick. 
Chelsea arrived with Mourinho on the defensive after removing first-team doctor Eva Carneiro and physio Jon Fearn from the bench following his
outburst after the 2-2 draw against Swansea City last Saturday in which he accused them of naivety for rushing on to treat Hazard.
Carneiro did not travel to Manchester – although Fearn did. He is expected to resume his duties in full while her future is far more in doubt. Some
former players had ascribed Mourinho’s approach to some form of ‘mind games’ to deflect from only taking a point against Swansea but that simply
defies logic.
And there was no logic to Chelsea’s defending in the first half. They were taken apart inside 30 seconds with David Silva, as wonderfully precise as
ever, sliding the ball through to Sergio Agüero. Cahill was caught out and Aguero was clear – only for Asmir Begovic, in for the suspended Thibaut
Courtois, to parry with his legs.
It set the tone. Agüero was then thwarted twice more by Begovic – with, on both occasions, the goalkeeper diving to his left to thrust out a strong
arm and turn the striker’s powerful low shot away. The first came as Agüero swiveled from Aleksandar Kolarov’s smart low cross and then he fired in
first-time from a Jesús Navas centre.
Kolarov again picked out Agüero who miscued from point-blank range, poking the ball wide, before, finally, he struck with a wonderful execution.
Silva, inevitably, was involved as he found Agüero who moved the ball to Yaya Touré who chested it back. Agüero nimbly turned Cahill and, ice-cold, he
passed the ball low into the net.
On half-time Eliaquim Mangala headed across goal, when he should have scored, and an aggrieved Costa sought out Fernandinho for retribution as the
players walked down the tunnel – although that will have been as nothing to the simmering anger Mourinho will have unleashed.
Chelsea certainly seemed stung as they returned and there was instantly more snap. They pushed up and City’s dominance relented. Would the home
side pay for not taking those chances? Hazard’s moment came – and went – and it proved pivotal as Silva then took a corner with Kompany too strong
and too determined as he held off Ivanovic to direct a header across Begovic and into the far corner. Chelsea had been undone from a set-piece and
again looked increasingly ragged.
That was reinforced by the third goal as City broke at pace through substitute Samir Nasri. The danger appeared to pass as his cross was cleared out
to Ivanovic but he was sloppy, his touch charged down by Silva with the ball ricocheting to Fernandinho. On the area’s edge the Brazilian thumped a
fierce angled shot – and Begovic was beaten once again.
In injury-time Costa struck a post, with a poked effort, and Hart smothered Radamel Falcao’s follow-up but the champions had been taken apart. In a
week dominated by medical matters Mourinho now has to find the remedy himself.

===================

Mail:

Manchester City 3-0 Chelsea: Sergio Aguero, Vincent Kompany and Fernandinho strike as Manuel Pellegrini's side lay down early title race marker with
emphatic win over Jose Mourinho's champions
By Martin Samuel

Sergio Aguero, quite magnificent. David Silva, simply stunning. Yaya Toure, immense. Yet that defence. That Manchester City defence. They were, well,
Chelsea. There really is no other word for it. City were Chelsea-like in their resilience. They are the team to beat this season, make no mistake of that.
Yes, it is early. Long way to go, all the usual clichés. But this was a performance that made a powerful statement about the way City have grown in
just a year. It is more than the addition of Raheem Sterling to an already stellar forward line. He worked hard and adds a threat, but is still finding his
feet after the move from Liverpool.
This was about the rest of them: players who were here last season, yet strangely subdued. Toure, engaged again, a midfield monster; Eliaquim
Mangala and Vincent Kompany, refusing to be bullied by Diego Costa; Fernandinho, looking the best he has since powering Shakhtar Donetsk through
Europe; Aleksandar Kolarov, arguably the best left-back in the Premier League right now. We knew City would be an attacking force this season, but
the defence was a worry. No longer. This was a match that revealed a new depth to Manuel Pellegrini’s side.
They were not flattered by a three-goal winning margin, as Jose Mourinho suggested; if anything Chelsea were the fortunate ones.
Stand-in goalkeeper Asmir Begovic kept them in touch in the first-half and they did not have a shot on target until the 70th minute. This was not a
negative performance, but the plan was to hit on the counter, and City just directed that threat down blind alleys.
Costa was belligerent, but little more, expertly marshalled and crowded out in possession and matched physically when he tried to put it about. Eden
Hazard was nullified, Cesc Fabregas ineffectual.
John Terry was taken off at half-time with a badly bruised ego and scorch marks. He usually finds a way against quicker men like Aguero, but on
Sunday there was none. Hatchet faced on the sideline, Jose Mourinho seemed to know it, too. It was the first time he had substituted Terry in a league
game and although Aguero was quieter for the introduction of Kurt Zouma, City then scored two more. Branislav Ivanovic is looking every bit as
vulnerable right now, by the way.
Make no mistake, this was a huge result for City and Pellegrini. Mourinho usually beats his big rivals. He draws, at least. His record in these elite clashes
is remarkable. If he has the best team, he wins. If he is outgunned, he finds a way around that, throws a blanket over the game, organises, controls,
drills his players, leaves nothing to chance. Yet no mere scheme could negate City and only an exceptional first-half display by Begovic prevented this
match being done in little more than 30 minutes.
When Begovic signed up to be Thibaut Courtois’ understudy this season he probably didn’t expect to be involved so soon – or be quite so busy. Yet
with Courtois banned following his sending off against Swansea last week, it was Begovic in goal for the first marquee game of the campaign, and
Begovic versus Manchester City for much of the first-half. The goalkeeper even won an unlikely fan in Aguero, who was so impressed at the way he
had been regularly thwarted that he offered a high five salute to his rival. And no doubt some tensely gritted teeth.
For City versus Begovic, read Aguero versus Begovic, in essence. This was a quite wonderful individual duel that began within the first 20 seconds
when Silva threaded a pass to the Argentine striker, who sped clear of the back line, one on one. Perhaps the chance came a little too soon and he
was rusty, because his finish was ordinary and smartly saved. From the rebound Jesus Navas curled a low shot just wide of the far post.
There followed two quite magnificent, and uncannily similar, saves in the space of two minutes. The first was created by another Kolarov pass that
Aguero brought under control superbly before executing a great turn and a low shot, which Begovic kept out with a strong outstretched hand. 
From City’s next attack, a Navas cross from the opposite, right, flank was met by Aguero and repelled by Begovic in identical fashion. Even the striker
felt moved to admire that one.
It could not last, though. Terry was in trouble against Aguero’s movement, Cahill wasn’t greatly convincing either, and Chelsea ultimately buckled
under the sheer weight of City pressure. 
In the 31st minute, the team, and its striker, got what they deserved. It was Silva’s firm pass into Aguero that started the move, the striker laying the
ball back to Toure and getting it in return almost immediately. There were four Chelsea defenders in the vicinity but it did not trouble him. He turned
Cahill, left the rest for dead, and slipped his finish past Begovic into the far corner. An exquisite goal, from an exquisite player and a fair reward for the
ambition shown.
Not that the siege was over. In the last attack before half-time a Kolarov cross was met by Mangala, who should have done better with his glancing
header. It provoked Begovic’s sole false step of the half, missing the ball with his punch but connecting with Cahill’s nose, the player laid out and
requiring several minutes treatment.
This, of course, brought Chelsea’s medics haring onto the field, much to the merriment of the locals, following the fall-out from the row and demotion of
the previous pitchside team, Eva Carneiro and Jon Fearn.
The Gibraltarian doctor had her name chanted, Mourinho was cursed with equal feeling and, then, Costa was flattened by a wild forearm from
Fernandinho – meaning Manchester City’s medical staff had to come to the aid of Chelsea’s stricken striker. More larks.
Amid the laughter, Mourinho will have quietly noted that his point about the danger of being reduced to nine men by pitchside treatment was
vindicated by what happened next.
As Cahill and Costa waited behind the white lines to return, a Chelsea free-kick broke down and City counter-attacked with numerical advantage,
stifled only by a magnificent rearguard action from Willian. Told you, Mourinho might have thought. Not that he was in any position to score points.
Not that he didn’t try. He described the outcome as fake, claiming Chelsea were the better team in the second-half. They were certainly better than in
the first but, frankly, they couldn’t fail to improve.
Cesc Fabregas had their only shot, wide, after 42 minutes, and their first of real purpose came 28 minutes later when Costa cut the ball back to Hazard,
who shot straight at Joe Hart. It was at this point, just when Chelsea were beginning to threaten on the counter-attack, that Kompany finished them
off.
It  was a Silva corner from the left that did the damage, Kompany all over Ivanovic, before flicking a header past Begovic to put the result beyond
doubt.
Chelsea may claim their man was fouled, but there is so much wrestling in the penalty area these days – and Ivanovic is such a master of it – that it is
hard to feel much sympathy
After his shocker against Jefferson Montero of Swansea last week, Ivanovic’s confidence looks shot. He was poor for the third too – the one that gave
the scoreline real emphasis – slow to react to the advancing Silva and dispossessed, the ball flying to Fernandinho, who finished it sharply.
On the touchline, Mourinho looked as if a migraine was kicking in. He has one point from two matches, the poorest return of any Premier League
champions at the start of the season. Is there a doctor in the house?
==============

Mirror:
Manchester City 3-0 Chelsea: 5 things we learnt as Manuel Pellegrini's side thrashed reigning champions

By David McDonnell
 
The reigning champions are still looking for their first win of the Premier League season after coming up short on Sunday

Manchester City hammered Chelsea on Sunday to underline their Premier League title credentials.
Manuel Pellegrini's men were in confident mood after their opening 3-0 win over West Brom on Monday night and hit the ground running when Sergio
Aguero put them ahead in the first half.
As Chelsea wobbled, Vincent Kompany and Fernandinho added to the scoreline, to the delight of the home crowd.
It would have been easy for Aguero's head to drop after being denied three times by Begovic inside the first 20 minutes, but it is the enduring mark of
a truly great striker that he did not allow those early setbacks to affect him and showed why he is arguably the best striker in the Premier League
with his wonderfully taken opener.
After a quick exchange with Yaya Toure, Aguero showed exquisite poise and physical strength to turn Gary Cahill inside out before dispatching a clinical
finish beyond the reach of Begovic for a fine goal. Last season's Golden Boot winner with 26 goals, Aguero must stay fit if City are to win a third title in
five years.
Diego Costa duly fulfilled the role of pantomime villain, earning the derision of the home fans for his perceived theatrics and then for trying to get to
Fernandinho at half-time to avenge a poor challenge from the City midfielder with an errant elbow that left him sporting a bandage around his head.
In fairness to Costa, the action that so enraged him could and perhaps should have warranted a red card for Fernandinho, so his ire was
understandable.
Costa needs to play on the edge to produce his belligerent best, but there needs to be a balance between being fired up and losing the plot and, at
times, he came close to the latter.
Branislav Ivanovic has been rightly regarded as the best right-back in the Premier League for the past few years, his combination of defensive
reliability and attacking menace making him the stand-out player in his position.
But there were signs in Chelsea's 2-2 draw with Swansea on the opening day of the season, when he was given the run around by Jefferson Montero,
and again here, with Raheem Sterling taking on the role of chief tormentor, that Ivanovic's best days may be behind him, despite his outstanding
service to Chelsea.
He was lucky to get away with a blatant block on Sterling in the first-half, but not so fortunate when he clipped the heels of the £49m man in the
second-half, when he was again left trailing in his wake. To compound his misery, Ivanovic was beaten to the ball by Vincent Kompany for City's second,
and gave the ball away to Fernandinho for the third. An afternoon he will want to forget.
By his own admission, skipper Vincent Kompany was one of those City players who under-performed last season as Manuel Pellegrini's side made a
meek defence of their Premier League title.
Injuries may have sabotaged Kompany's season, but even when he did play he looked a shadow of the imperious defender or previous campaigns, the
man who provided the foundation for City's two title wins, But here Komapny looked back to his imposing best, reading the game with intelligent
authority and capping that display with a fine header to put the game beyond Chelsea.
Like Aguero, if City are to reclaim the title this season, Kompany must remain fit and producing this level of performance throughout the campaign.
When Thibaut Courtois was sent off in Chelsea's opening-day 2-2 draw with Swansea and hit with an automatic three-match ban, it was felt his
enforced absence could see Jose Mourinho's men lose vital early ground in the title race, particularly given Petr Cech's move to Arsenal.
But Begovic proved his worth on three occasions inside the first 20 minutes, making vital saves from Sergio Aguero to keep the scoreline at 0-0.
Begovic waa derided for taking the perceived easy option in joining Chelsea from Stoke, where he was expected to reside on the bench.
But his early season involvement, and impressive form until Aguero finally made the breakthrough with the opener, went some way to vindicating that
decision. Begovic had little chance with City's other two goals, Kompany's header and Fernandinho's thunderous strike, but the scoreline could have
been more humiliating for Chelsea were it nor for his heroics early on.

===================

Express:

Manchester City 3 - Chelsea 0: City send warning to title rivals with ruthless display
AN emphatic statement of title intent was just what the doctor ordered for Manuel Pellegrini - even if Jose Mourinho did not agree with the
prescription.
By Richard Tanner

While Pellegrini's Manchester City team look in rude health, Chelsea's condition, while not yet terminal, is certainly looking critical.
Mourinho's claimed it was a "fake result" because two of City's goals came late in the game and Chelsea had improved in the second half. But few would
agree with him. The champions were beaten by a superior team.
When Pellegrini punched the air in delight at the final whistle it was not just to celebrate the victory - only his third in 13 head-to-head battles in Spain
and England with his managerial nemesis - but also the manner in which it was achieved.
His football philosophy differs dramatically from the more pragmatic Mourinho. The Chilean belief in winning with style and panache has proved his
undoing on occasions in the past but here was thrilling vindication that City can win a third title in five seasons playing the way he wants.
Pellegirni could not have wished for a better start than two wins, six goals, none conceded and a five-point lead over Chelsea.
City were faster, hungrier and more fluent as they inflicted the joint heaviest defeat Mourinho has suffered in his two spells in the Premier League.
Their collective determination was exemplified by the number of times Yaya Toure and David Silva, two players renowned for their attacking skills, were
happy to do the dirty work as well, constantly tracking back to win possession.
Sergio Aguero tore Chelsea to shreds to such an extent that Mourinho was forced ito the drastic action of withdrawing John Terry at half-time - the
first time he has done that to his skipper in 177 games in his two spells as manager at Stamford Bridge.
But it underlined how badly Chelsea struggled to contain City - and Aguero in particular - in the first half.
Terry was not the only player who endured a torrid afternoon. Branislav Ivanovic, having been given the run around by Swansea's Jefferson Montero
last week, struggled to contain Raheem Sterling and capped his day by losing possession for City's third goal.
But few defences could have contained Aguero in this form. Despite his delayed start to pre-season following Copa America duty, the Argentina
international looked razor-sharp and had four chances in the first 22 minutes.

On three occasions Asmir Begovic - making his full debut in place of the suspended Thibaut Courtois - came to Chelsea's rescue with saves while
Aguero was off target with the other. But he was not to be denied and put City ahead after 32 minutes.
After David Silva had picked him out on the edge of the area, he played a one-two with Toure, turned inside Gary Cahill, held off Nemanja Matic's
challenge and steered a low shot into the net via the far post.
City went close to a second when Eliaquim Mangala got his head to Kolarov'v's free-kick but the ball flew just wide.
The half ended like a scene from Casualty. Cahill took the full force of Begovic's attempted punch and needed treatment for a bloodied nose. Then Costa
suffered a gashed head from Fernandinho's reckless forearm that Mourinho claimed should have earned him a red rather than a yellow card.
Costa, was left wearing a Basil Fawlty style head bandage, and it just about summed up Chelsea's comedy defending. Costa went looking for retributon
as the half-time whistle but his team-mates wisely made sure he as kept apart from Fernandinho as they trudged down the tunnel.
The extra pace of Terry's replacement Kurt Zouma helped to counter City's lightning attacks and gave Chelsea a foothold in the second half. Ramires
had a goal disallowed for offside but City remained dangerous with Bergovic saving from Toure and Aguero firing wide.
The turning point came in the 70th minute when Joe Hart denied Eden Hazard when he looked certain to snatch an equaliser from Costa's pass.
City stepped up another gear and killed the game when skipper Kompany headed home from Silva's corner. Then Silva dispossessed Ivanovic to set up
Fernandinho for a sweetly struck third.
The last time Chelsea failed to win either of their opening two League games was back in 1998. Mourinho may not agree with the diagnosis but his team
looks in need of urgent surgery.
Man City (4-2-3-1): Hart 7; Sagna 7, Kompany 8, Mangala 7, Kolarov 8; Fernandinho 7, Toure 7; Navas 7 (Nasri 65, 6), Silva 7, Sterling 7 (Demichelis 79,
6); Aguero 9 (Bony 83, 5). Booked: Kompany, Fernandinho, Mangala. Goal: Aguero 31, Kompany 80, Fernandinho 85. NEXT UP: Everton (a) PL - Sun.
Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Begovic 6; Ivanovic 5, Cahill 5, Terry 5 (Zouma 46, 6), Azpilicueta 5; Fabregas 5, Matic 6; Ramires 5 (Cuadrado) 64, 5), Willian 6
(Falcao 79, 5), Hazard 6; Costa 5. Booked: Ivanovic, Hazard. NEXT UP: West Brom (a) PL - Sun.
Referee: M Atkinson (West Mids).

====================
Star:

Man City 3 Chelsea 0: The Citizens stun Jose Mourinho's men at the Etihad
TWO games in and champions Chelsea are already a team in crisis.

By David Woods
Jose Mourinho’s men were mauled by Manchester City yesterday.
And while last year’s runners-up top the table after their second successive 3-0 win, Chelsea are 16th, with just one point.
That famous Chelsea backline, so important in last season’s title success, suddenly appears frail, fragile and full of fear. At the Etihad they were
tormented by Sergio Aguero and co.
Mourinho said on Friday he had deliberately not pushed his players too hard in pre-season for fear of burning them out.
Yesterday they looked shot to pieces.
Even the unthinkable happened when ‘Captain, Leader, Legend’ John Terry was hauled off at half-time, the first time he’s ever been substituted by
Mourinho in a league game.
Gary Cahill was turned so often by Aguero his shorts could have been on the wrong way round by half-time.
Right now, Branislav Ivanovic looks like Ivan the Terrible.
Mourinho appears to have a huge job on his hands bringing back some colour to his pallid Blues.
In contrast, Manuel Pellegrini’s City seem slick, fired-up and determined to win back their crown.
Mourinho must be thankful goalkeeper Asmir Begovic has not been infected by whatever it is that has seen the champs turn into chumps.
Without the Bosnian, the scoreline could have been doubled - or even worse.
Aguero was allowed to go clean through as early as the 20th SECOND and was denied three times in the first 17th minutes by Begovic who was only
playing due to Thibaut Courtois’ suspension.
The last two saves were superb reflex ones. The Argentine also slotted wide after a cross from the excellent Aleksandar Kolarov evaded Terry.
But Aguero was not to be denied in the 32nd minute. Playing a one-two with Yaya Toure - who was having one of his brilliant days - he fooled Cahill
then evaded challenges from Nemanja Matic and Terry to roll the ball inside the far post with a sidefoot to make it 10 goals in his last nine league
games.
Mourinho stood with hands in his pockets. Like his Chelsea team something was missing from his reactions to incidents all afternoon.
Raheem Sterling blazed over after being teed up by Aguero.
Yet another brilliant delivery from Kolarov, this time from a free-kick, picked out Eliaquim Mangala but he glanced wide.
Cahill was hurt thanks to a punch in the face from his own goalkeeper and there were ironic cheers as stand-in club doctor Chris Hughes and physio
Steven Hughes ran on to treat him.
“You’re getting sacked in the morning,” taunted the home fans, in reference to the axing of their predecessors Eva Carneiro and Jon Fearn last week.
There was controversy at the break as a furious Diego Costa- who needed his head bandaged after being caught by Fernandinho’s elbow - tried to get
at the Brazilian, who had only been booked.
Ironically, City physio Lee Nobes had been the one to bandage up Costa, but it didn’t matter to the fired up striker.
Vincent Kompany and Mangala shielded their team-mate, while Cesc Fabregas, Ramires, Ivanovic and coaches Rui Faria and Silvino Louro tried to
restrain Costa.
Ramires tapped in from a harshly adjudged offside position then embarrassingly celebrated for what seemed like ages as everyone else ran the other
way.
Chelsea had their first real chance in the 70th minute, with Eden Hazard and Costa exchanging passes after a break before the former fired straight at
Joe Hart’s legs.
City scored their second in the 79th minute. Iron Man Ivanovic didn’t have enough mettle to handle Kompany at David Silva’a corner with City’s skipper
heading home.
The third came in the 84th minute, Ivanovic again at fault being beaten to a loose ball by Silva, whose prod went to Fernandinho on the edge of the
area to fire home.
For City this season is shaping to be something special. But for Mourinho he has a real job on his hands to stop Chelsea’s heading for disaster.

Swansea 2-2

Independent:

Bafetimbi Gomis converts after Thibaut Courtois red to help Swans earn point against 10-man Blues

Chelsea 2 Swansea City 2
Jack Pitt-Brooke 

 For Jose Mourinho this was far from the perfect start to Chelsea’s title defence, nor the ideal preparation for next Sunday’s trip to Manchester City. His team were outplayed by Swansea City, who held them to a 2‑2 draw which flattered the champions. Thibaut Courtois was sent off, ruling him out of next Sunday’s game, meaning Asmir Begovic will make his first Chelsea start at the Etihad Stadium.

Begovic will be facing a City side who must surely fancy their chances given how Chelsea played here, with – despite their well-earned status – as little authority as they showed against Arsenal in the Community Shield last weekend. The curious lack of midfield reinforcements this summer may have to be addressed before the transfer window closes.
For Swansea City, though, and for neutrals, this was a very enjoyable start to the Premier League season. They played with more courage and ambition than most sides show at this ground. Andre Ayew, Jefferson Montero and Bafe Gomis were all excellent, as Swansea created enough chances to record an unlikely victory. They did not quite manage it, despite playing most of the second half with a one-man advantage. If they play like this every week, though, they will have a good season.
Many Premier League teams will come to Stamford Bridge this year and sit back, cowed by the champions, hoping to escape with minimal damage. That is not the Garry Monk way, though, and he put out a team that was far more ambitious or expansive than many would have chosen. Andre Ayew made his Swansea City debut, wide on the right, supporting Bafe Gomis.
Swansea began assertively and, even before all the fun started, Gomis had two chances to put them ahead. He headed one Jonjo Shelvey corner just wide before racing away from John Terry, only for the Chelsea captain to catch him up just in time.  Oscar's whipped free-kick went all the way into the far corner   New signing Andre Ayew produced a lovely bit of skill to equalise 
Chelsea knew they were in a real game and responded with quick, incisive attacking football of their own, even if their first goal – like their second – owed something to good fortune. Oscar had a free-kick wide on the left, which he whipped low towards goal. Gary Cahill and Branislav Ivanovic tried to touch it but missed. Lukasz Fabianski, anticipating a touch, stayed central as the ball flew into the far corner.
Unperturbed, Swansea continued to play, and found a deserved equaliser from Ayew. When Courtois saved another Gomis header, Ayew got one shot away before collecting the rebound, dragging the ball into a shooting position and scoring.
For all Swansea’s courage, though, they did not have luck on their side, and went in at the break 2-1 down. Willian had the ball on the left and tried to curl in a right-footed cross. The ball hit Federico Fernandez and looped high into the air, over Fabianski and into the far top corner.  Chelsea celebrate after Willian's cross took a huge deflection and went in 
Swansea started the second half as positively as they had started the first. This time, though, they got their reward. Shelvey played another quick through ball to Gomis, who had escaped behind Chelsea’s defence. Courtois ran out to tackle Gomis but could only foul him. Courtois was sent off, Begovic came on, but Gomis sent him the wrong way from the spot.
Equal in goals but one man up, Swansea sensed their chance. Jefferson Montero was making life very difficult for Ivanovic and forced two saves from Begovic, the first from distance, the second from close range. When Gomis converted Taylor’s cross at the far post, only the offside flag stopped Swansea from taking the lead.  Thibaut Courtois was sent off after bringing down Bafetimbi Gomis   Gomis dusted himself off to convert the penalty 
While Swansea continued to push for a winner there was no question of Chelsea settling for a point. Mourinho stuck to an open 4-3-2 system, with Kurt Zouma on in midfield, which even became 4-2-3 for the last six minutes when he introduced Falcao. He fired one shot low at Fabianski, but that was it.

Chelsea: (4-2-3-1) Courtois; Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Azpilicueta; Fabregas (Zouma, 76), Matic; Willian (Falcao, 84), Oscar (Begovic, 54), Hazard; Costa.
Swansea: (4-2-3-1) Fabianski; Naughton, Fernandez, Williams, Taylor; Shelvey, Ki (Cork, 41); Ayew, Sigurdsson, Montero (Routledge, 71); Gomis (Eder, 79).
Referee: Michael Oliver
Man of the match: Ayew (Swansea)
Match rating: 9/10

=================

Observer:

Chelsea’s Thibaut Courtois pays penalty as Swansea peg back champions
Chelsea 2 - 2 Swansea

Amy Lawrence at Stamford Bridge

José Mourinho was right. This is the real deal, what people want, what they can’t wait to devour. This was that edge-of-the-seat, don’t-dare-blink, full-pelt competitive heat of football that counts. Every point counts. And here, in quite intense fashion, Chelseadropped two on game one of their title defence.

An engrossing match twisted and turned, with both Chelsea and Swansea taking turns to swing their swords, charge on the offensive and retreat to catch their breath. In a topsy-turvy encounter the home team led twice and the visitors bounced back to equalise. It was all played out with a generous twist of drama. The most extraordinary moment denied Chelsea a winning start when Thibaut Courtois was sent off in a reckless attempt to stop Bafétimbi Gomis from advancing past him. Swansea’s powerhouse attacker maintained his composure to tuck away the penalty and earn Garry Monk’s team a proud result.
Mourinho had suggested his team would have to offer more to defend the title than to win it, and here was proof of the complexity of the challenge. There was a lot to digest. While Mourinho was at great pains to avoid getting tangled up in another conspiracy fandango so early in the season, in the wider analysis Chelsea sent out mixed messages here. At times they were dazzling, displaying the synchronicity and zest that a confident team of winners can ooze. At others they were frayed, as Swansea strutted their own stuff and exhibited a mix of power and panache to unsettle the best of defences. They also bristled with the desire to win even with 10 men.

There was so much to take in packed into the 90 minutes. The opening notes seemed to blend seamlessly from last season’s songbook. Within seconds Eden Hazard – the current Footballer of the Year – was gliding at speed through the Swansea half. Diego Costa, fit enough to reclaim the position he occupies in inimitable fashion, hassled a defender and nudged at the opposition goalkeeper just because he can’t resist it
Oscar crafted the lead midway through the first half. When César Azpilicueta won a free-kick just a fraction outside the corner of the penalty area, the Brazilian delivered with whip and fizz. Both Gary Cahill and Branislav Ivanovic tried to get a nick on the ball, but neither were needed as the ball curled past Lukasz Fabianski.
Swansea, determined to avoid being overwhelmed as they were against Chelsea last season, recovered with character and wit. The sparkling Jefferson Montero stood up a wonderful cross for Gomis, who powered in a header that Courtois reacted to superbly to beat out. André Ayew picked up the rebound and steered in the equaliser, showing neat footwork to carve out space for the shot at the second attempt. The new boy from Marseille was overjoyed.
It was riveting stuff, and back came Chelsea to retrieve the lead within a minute as Willian’s effort spun off Federico Fernández’s foot and looped over the helpless Fabianski. The game was finely poised. Yet despite moments of excellence from Chelsea, Swansea sensed there were goals to be plundered themselves. And when another one came, it was fuelled by high drama.
Chelsea were stunned when Jonjo Shelvey’s delightful chipped pass sent Gomis marauding goalwards. He was met by Courtois, whose attempted tackle caught the Frenchman at thigh level on the edge of the penalty area. The result was a penalty for Swansea and a red card for Courtois. The delay as Asmir Begovic prepared himself to come on and face the spot kick had no ill effect on Gomis. He was coolness personified as he slotted in for 2-2.
Monk felt it was entirely merited. “The message to the team is we can take anyone on,” he said. “I wanted the team to showcase what we can do on the front foot and to come to a place like this, after the goals we conceded last season, we wanted to put that right. It’s just one game, one point, but to come and do it here where we suffered last season should give us confidence.”
Mourinho chose not to talk about the red card other than to suggest it “changed everything”. Despite that, both teams had a whiff of winning the game.

Montero was on a mission to unpick Chelsea at will. Defenders of Ivanovic’s ilk don’t often experience the kind of chasing he endured trying to keep pace with the Ecuadorian’s wizardry.
Even with reduced numbers, Chelsea were able to press and probe, but with wariness of what might befall them at the other end. Could they somehow seize victory from the jaws of difficulty and disappointment? Hazard, who after a bright start had been peripheral by his standards, roused himself to dart into the box and drive an angled shot which hit Fabianski. Hazard began to bewitch Swansea, dominating the momentum almost single-handedly. On came Radamel Falcao to see if he could make the difference.
When the stakes overheated, Ashley Williams took a yellow card for hoiking down the increasingly determined Hazard mid-dribble in stoppage time.
At the end of it all, both teams looked wrung out and exhausted. The fun and games have only just begun.

============================

Telegraph:

Chelsea 2 Swansea City 2
Thibaut Courtois sent off as champions stumble
Matt Law

If this season’s Premier League title race is destined to be the tale of two goalkeepers, then owner Roman Abramovich may well have felt the first pang of remorse during Chelsea’s opening-day draw.
The fear for Chelsea this season is that they will be made to regret Abramovich’s decision to allow Petr Cech to move to rivals Arsenal.
Thibaut Courtois proved last term and again during this game that he is a superb goalkeeper, but now he must stand on his own two feet without the protection of Cech behind him.

It is certainly questionable whether Cech would have risked the kind of challenge that Courtois produced to earn a red card and effectively end Chelsea’s hopes of starting with a victory against Swansea City.
When Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho needed a hero from the substitutes’ bench, there was no Cech to call on as he is now the man Arsenal will rely on for miracles between the posts.

Asmir Begovic is undoubtedly a fine deputy, as he displayed with some good saves, but how the Chelsea fans will long for Cech if Courtois suffers a more difficult second season in England.

Mourinho and his captain John Terry were both furious with the decision to send Courtois off, but there could be no arguing against the fact Swansea at least deserved a draw.
The visitors could have easily added to goals from Andre Ayew and Bafetimbi Gomis, while there was more than an element of bad luck about Federico’s Fernandez’s own goal.
Swansea manager Garry Monk decided the best form of defence would be to try to attack the Blues, as he named an adventurous line-up that included new signing Ayew, who enjoyed an impressive goalscoring debut.
Monk’s men could and should have been ahead before Chelsea opened the scoring through Oscar.

Gomis rose highest to meet a corner from midfielder Jonjo Shelvey, but his header was directed narrowly wide of the post. The pair combined again in the 15th minute and the Frenchman really should have opened the scoring this time.
Shelvey split the Chelsea defence with a wonderful pass and, although, he looked offside, Gomis was allowed to continue and checked inside Gary Cahill. As the striker hesitated, however, Terry blocked his shot and Cahill recovered to hack the ball clear.

Swansea were almost made to pay the ultimate price for that miss, as Chelsea went straight up the other end and fit-again Diego Costa went down under a challenge from Fernandez as he powered into the area.
Costa and the home dug-out appealed loudly for a penalty, but referee Michael Oliver instead awarded a corner and replays suggested the official was right.
Oliver did, however, give Chelsea a 23rd minute free-kick on the left from which Oscar caught out the entire visiting defence.

Oscar’s set piece was meant for either Cahill or Branislav Ivanovic. Both men failed to connect with the ball, but did enough to put off the Swansea defenders and goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianksi, and it curled into the net.
Swansea reacted to the blow superbly and were level just six minutes later. Courtois made an incredible save from a Gomis header and Terry and Cahill both threw their bodies in the way to stop Ayew’s initial follow up. But the forward displayed a cool head to drag the ball back and leave the Chelsea duo on the ground before finding the back of the net.
Monk’s team fully deserved their equaliser, which is why the nature in which Chelsea regained the lead 92 seconds later was doubly cruel. Willian tried to put in a high cross from the left, but the ball deflected off Fernandez and looped past the despairing Fabianski and into the net.
Swansea started the second half in the same positive manner they finished the first and Shelvey caused Mourinho’s defence more problems with a corner that struck the post.
Shelvey was also the architect of the 52nd-minute moment that led to Swansea equalising and Courtois being sent off.
It was Shelvey’s brilliant pass that sent Gomis clear of the Chelsea defence and one-on-one with Courtois, who raced from his line but took out the Swansea man.

Oliver had no hesitation in pointing to the spot and showing Courtois a red card. Mourinho was incensed on the touchline, while Terry’s appeals earned him a yellow card. Replays showed the foul took place right on the edge of the area and Cahill was tracking back to cover.
Begovic was handed his Chelsea debut in the most difficult of circumstances, replacing Oscar, and his first act was to pick the ball out of the net after Gomis had scored the penalty.
Begovic, though, quickly produced a good save from the superb Jefferson Montero, who terrorised Ivanovic, to keep the scores level.
Gomis thought he had netted what would have been the winner shortly afterwards, meeting Neil Taylor’s cross at the back post, but he was rightly flagged offside.

Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Courtois 6; Ivanovic 5, Cahill 7, Terry 7, Azpilicueta 6; Fabregas 6 (Zouma, 76, 6), Matic 6; Willian 7 (Falcao, 84, 6), Oscar 7 (Begovic, 54, 7), Hazard 6; Costa 6.
Swansea City (4-2-3-1): Fabianksi 7; Naughton 6, Fernandez 6, Williams 7, Taylor 7; Shelvey 8, Ki 6 (Cork, 41, 7); Ayew 7, Sigurdssson 6, Montero 8 (Routledge, 71, 6); Gomis 7 (Eder, 79, 6).

====================

Mail:

Chelsea 2-2 Swansea:
Bafetimbi Gomis nets equaliser for visitors after Thibaut Courtois sending off as Premier League champions are held at Stamford Bridge
Sami Mokbel

If Jose Mourinho needed a reminder of how difficult it will be to retain Chelsea’s title, he got it from this home draw with battling Swansea on Saturday evening.
However, the fact that Garry Monk’s side left Stamford Bridge bitterly disappointed not to have won tells you everything.
To compound Chelsea’s problems, their goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, a doubt prior to kick-off after sustaining a muscle strain during the warm-up, will serve a suspension after being sent off.
With just over three weeks left of the transfer window, Mourinho will be contemplating opening Roman Abramovich’s chequebook.
The manager, who refused to comment on the referee, did not blame Courtois for his red card. ‘Penalty, red card, one player less and 2-2. It obviously changed everything,’ he said. ‘If you try to win you expose yourself more.’
Mourinho’s first team of the new season had a familiar feel: both his big summer signings, Radamel Falcao and Asmir Begovic, started on the bench.
There a was debutant for Swansea, though, Monk handing an instant start to his free signing from Marseille, Andre Ayew.

And it was the visitors who carved out the first chance, Bafetimbi Gomis heading wide from Jonjo Shelvey’s corner in the seventh minute.
Chelsea should have fallen behind in the 15th minute as Gomis and Shelvey combined again. This time Shelvey’s beautifully weighted through-ball found Gomis, who escaped from John Terry. But the Frenchman took an eternity to shoot, leaving Terry enough time to make a crucial block.
It was a huge chance, which the expression of frustration on Monk’s face in the dug-out revealed only too clearly.
Seconds later, Swansea fashioned another opening, Courtois parrying Ki Sung-yueng’s fierce drive from the edge of the area.
Chelsea were rattled. But they responded as champions always do.They thought they should have been awarded a 17th-minute penalty when Federico Fernandez brought down Diego Costa. The Spain striker reacted with fury, though replays showed Fernandez getting a slight touch on the ball.
All this was forgotten in the 23rd minute, however, when Oscar’s inswinging free-kick from wide on the left evaded everyone on its way into the far corner, with Lukasz Fabianski rooted to his line.
Chelsea’s lead lasted only six minutes. Courtois leapt to keep out Gomis’s powerful header from a Jefferson Montero cross. Gary Cahill then looked to have saved his team with an instinctive block on the line to deny Ayew’s rebound — but the prostrate Ghana forward made no mistake with his second attempt, getting up to strike the ball wide of Courtois from close range.

This was not in the script for the champions’ homecoming, but Swansea’s joy was short-lived. Just a minute later, Chelsea regained the lead thanks to a huge slice of luck.
Willian, instead of trying to beat Fernandez near the left-hand byline, swung his right foot at the ball and his effort took a wicked deflection off the Argentinian’s leg before looping over Fabianski into goal.
The Brazilian looked too embarrassed to celebrate, not that his manager cared. This was not vintage Chelsea, yet they found themselves in front at half-time.
Swansea were unperturbed, though, as they forced three corners in five minutes after half-time, Courtois denying Shelvey directly from one of these.
The Belgian’s next contribution was less convincing, though, as he saw red in the 52nd minute. Gomis sprung Chelsea’s attempted offside trap to home in on goal, Courtois rushed out to confront him but tripped him up. Contact looked to be on the edge of the box, yet referee Michael Oliver pointed to the spot and dismissed the goalkeeper.
Begovic replaced Oscar, but his first touch in a Chelsea shirt was to pick the ball out of the net as Gomis coolly slotted home the spot-kick.
This time there was no immediate response from Chelsea as Monk’s men smelt blood. Begovic twice denied rasping shots from Montero, who was having a hugely impressive afternoon.
Chelsea needed some inspiration. Mourinho, who had earlier replaced a subdued Cesc Fabregas with Kurt Zouma, belatedly turned to Falcao.
But Chelsea could not summon the wit to break Swansea down. Where they find inspiration now is a question Mourinho must answer.

================================

Mirror:

Chelsea 2-2 Swansea: 5 things we learned as champions are held following Courtois' red card

By John Cross
 
The Blues stopper saw red six minutes after the break, as Ayew and Gomis' strikes cancelled out Oscar's opener and a Fernandez own goal

Thibaut Courtois was sent off as ten-man Chelsea were left frustrated by Swansea in a cracking encounter at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea keeper Courtois saw red after bringing down Swansea striker Bafe Gomis who then stepped up to fire home the resulting penalty to earn the visitors a point.
Chelsea took a 23rd minute lead when Oscar’s free kick deceived Swansea keeper Lukasz Fabianski and carried all the way into the the far corner.
Swansea were level after 29 minutes. Jefferson Montero’s cross found Gomis whose header was brilliantly saved by Courtois only for Andre Ayew to show great composure to score at the second attempt.
But Chelsea regained the lead less than a minute later when Willian’s cross took a big deflection off Federico Fernandez and looped over Fabianski.
It was a terrific game which boiled over just after half time. Courtois was sent off for bringing down Gomis, referee Michael Oliver sent off the Chelsea keeper and Mourinho’s men were down to ten men.
Gomis converted the spot kick past Chelsea’s substitute keeper Asmir Begovic who then proceeded to make two outstanding saves from Montero to at least secure a point.

Here's what we learned from Stamford Bridge:
Jose Mourinho hasn’t mellowed towards officials
This game was all about the penalty and sending off. Referee Michael Oliver got the penalty spot on but the red card was more open to debate as Gary Cahill was covering behind.
But don’t tell that to Mourinho. He went to war with officials last season, he’s just as angry this term and we can expect another appearance on Goals on Sunday before the season is out.
Chelsea need a Costa to get going

Wake up and smell the coffee, Jose. While Diego Costa’s long-running hamstring problems continue to hamper him, Chelsea look very short up front.
Costa’s pre-season has been affected by injury, he looked off the pace and even nervous as if his hamstring might ping at any time.
It’s a reflection of Chelsea’s striker options that Mourinho would rather risk a half fit Costa than start with Radamel Falcao or Loic Remy.
Chelsea need more

It’s not just up front. Chelsea’s lack of transfer activity leaves them short elsewhere. They need strengthening in defence and in midfield. And sometimes just a new face can give a squad such a lift.
Jose Mourinho has been bristling with frustration. I think his squad needs strengthening if they are to retain their Premier League title.
Swansea’s new signings
Only one of Swansea’s new signings started the game. And Andre Ayew seized his opportunity and really impressed.
His composure for Swansea’s equaliser, to drag the ball back in a frenetic penalty area, was sheer quality. Looks a terrific addition.
Jefferson Montero is a well kept secret
Hidden gem? Jefferson Montero again impressed for Swansea
Before you start, I’m well aware he’s got a shedload of caps for Ecuador. But I’m not sure how much recognition he gets in the Premier League. It’s almost like he’s gone unnoticed - unless you are the opposing full back.
His lightning pace is a nightmare to play against, he always finds a way to create some space and his crossing often leads to danger. His run and cross led to Swansea’s equaliser and his pace terrorised Branislav Ivanovic.

Player ratings
Chelsea: Courtois 5; Ivanovic 5, Cahill 7, Terry 7, Azpilicueta 6; Matic 6, Fabregas 6 (Zouma, 76); Willian 7 (Falcao, 84), Oscar 6 (Begovic, 54, 7), Hazard 6; Costa 5.
Swansea: Fabianski 7; Naughton 6, Fernandez 6, Williams 6, Taylor 6; Sung-Yeung 5 (Cork, 41, 6), Shelvey 8, Sigurdsson 6, Montero 8 (Routledge, 71, 6), Ayew 7, Gomis 8 (Eder, 79).

===========================

Express:

Chelsea 2 - Swansea 2: Gomis penalty earns Swans a valuable point after Courtois red card
Colin Mafham

His champions were given the fright of their lives by an inspired Swansea whose manager Gary Monk readily admitted had set out to put on a show.They did that alright and left The Special One keeping his mouth shut even though he was probably privately seething.Truth to tell, despite what Mourinho did say, his side were second best yesterday for long periods. And if it hadn't been for Thibault Courtois - who was sent off in the second half for stopping Bafetimbi Gomis in his tracks illegally - he could well have been on the end of the shock of the day.Mourinho professed himself satisfied with his side's first half performance, grudgingly refused to recognise Swansea's impressive contribution, and diplomatically stayed silent over his keeper's sending off.
He said: "Don't expect me to come in after a bad result and analyse the opposition's performance.
"But a draw at home is only acceptable in special circumstances. The players know this is a bad result, but we have a point."
The point here is, though, that Chelsea's two first half goals by Oscar and Willian, both had a touch of good luck about them.
And Courtois's saves up until his departure were crucial as Andre Ayew and the ever so impressive Gomis cancelled them out.
Given the two previous results Mourinho thought he had taken no chances on this one, gambling on Diego Costa with a youthful new haircut and lingering doubts about his dodgy hamstring.

That didn't seem to bother the combative Spaniard who, quite frankly, looked as fit as a fiddle at first. And, oh boy, he needed to be because battling Swansea showed scant respect for the champions before - or, indeed, after - Oscar fired Chelsea in front on 22 minutes.
In fact, with a masterful Jonjo Shelvey pulling the strings in midfield and Gomis proving a handful all afternoon, they frightened the life out of Mourinho and co.
Garry Monk probably wasn't a happy bunny at the way Oscar's modest free kick went unimpeded through the wall past a startled Lukasz Fabianski - especially after Gomis and Ki had both tested Courtois just before that.
And the poor bloke had good reason to wonder if Lady Luck was a Chelsea fan as both Courtois and his replacement Asmir Begovic denied Swansea.
If ever justice was seen to be done it happened six minutes after the break.
Gomis, who had terrorised both John Terry and Gary Cahill for the best part of 50 minutes, got away from them again and Courtois had little option but to stop him in his tracks.
It was an option that saw the keeper sent off and the Frenchman slotted the resultant spot kick in the bottom corner of the net.
Mourinho protested, but on reflection even he will probably admit that was no more than Swansea deserved - even though he wouldn't say so.
Monk replaced man of the match Gomis with his new £5million  striker, Eder, with 10 minutes to go because, he  revealed afterwards, he had run himself into the ground - as did most of his team-mates.
They had put on the show they set out to "showcase the talent we have in the squad" and left with plenty of  people liking what they saw.
Mourinho, who had a go at his medical team in frustration at the end, left knowing that if Swansea are anything to go by the rest of this season is going to be a lot tough than the last one.

Chelsea: Courtois; Ibramovich, Cahill, Terry, Azpilicueta; Fabregas (Zouma 76),  Matic; Willian (Falcao 83), Oscar (Begovic 52) Hazard; Costa.
Swansea: Fabianski; Naughton, Fernandez, Williams, Taylor; Ki (Cork 41), Sigurdsson; Ayew, Shelvey, Montero (Routledge 71); Gomis (Eder 79)

Man Of The Match: Bafe Gomis. The Swansea striker made one and scored one and was the sort of handful John Terry in particular didn't relish at all.
Referee: Michael Oliver.

==================

Star:

Chelsea 2 Swansea 2: Courtois sees red as champions escape tricky clash with a point
SURELY this was not in the script.


By Tony Stenson
    
Chelsea were supposed to win at a canter, yet in the end held on for dear life with ten men after having their keeper Thibaut Courtois sent off.
Swansea striker Bafetimbi Gomis terrorised Stamford Bridge last night and showed what is needed to beat the champions.
He got under their skin with pace, muscle and skill and his performance will now be a blueprint for those who want to take down the title-holders.
Bookies lengthened the odds on Chelsea retaining the title after a mish-mash performance that promised much but offered little.
They also had Courtois sent off as they looked rattled by a side that opened last season by beating Manchester United.

He went in the 53rd minute for bringing down Gomis on the edge of the box after being sent clear by a fine pass from Jonjo Shelvey, just eclipsed in the man-of-the-match stakes by Gomis.
Referee Michael Oliver waved aside Chelsea’s claims for offside and awarded a penalty, which angered skipper John Terry.
He went to a linesman and complained, only to be booked. It led to manager Jose Mourinho stalking the touchline in anger when previously he had stayed calm.
Afterwards Mourhinho said: “I don’t want to talk about the penalty.
“Penalty, red card, goal. After that it was difficult.

“We played very well until the second half. I think the first half was high quality. With ten men we fought hard. We played very well in the first half and the game was under control.
“To play 35 minutes with one player less, the first game of the season when the condition is not sharp, it is difficult.”
But in all honesty his side had been outplayed and outfought by Swansea with Cesc Fabregas, Diego Costa and Eden Hazard staying in the shadows.
Manchester United were the last side to retain the title in 2009 and few would bet on Chelsea following in their footsteps if they can not raise their game to a higher level than this.
Swansea were no lambs to the slaughter.

They showed real aggression and skill and could have taken the lead after 15 minutes.
Gomis seized on Shelvey’s long pass, cut inside Gary Cahill and Terry only for Courtois to block the shot and Cesar Azpilicueta to hack the ball away as it rolled towards goal.
Yet the inevitable happened in the 22nd minute.
Gomis fouled Azpilicueta on the edge of Swansea’s box and Oscar swung in a curling free-kick that avoided everyone before nestling in the back of the net.
This was no more than Chelsea deserved at the time. They had played the best football, moved well and seemingly attacked from all angles.

Swansea drew level four minutes later when Jefferson Montero crossed from the left and Courtois did well to keep out a Gomis header only for Andre Ayew to have one shot blocked before stroking in his second attempt.
Singing Welsh voices were dulled a minute later when Willian swung over a cross, only for the ball to deflect off the feet of Federico Fernandez and curl over the despairing Lukasz Fabianski and into the net.
But they did not lie down.
Their fight eventually paid off when Shelvey sent Gomis on a charge which ended with him being brought down by Courtois.

Gomis scored from the spot to level the scores at 2-2 after Chelsea had sent on sub keeper Asmir Begovic at the expense of Oscar.
And stand-in No.1 Begovic made a raft of fine saves as Swansea fed off Chelsea’s frustration.
Swans boss Garry Monk said: “If I’m going to be picky, I’m disappointed not to come away with three points.
“I thought the players were excellent. We wanted to come and attack this first game.”


========================

Leicester 3-1

Independent:

Leicester 1 Chelsea 3: Foxes winning run ends but Esteban Cambiasso can keep escape attempt alive

Leicester gave Chelsea a scare before eventually losing

Simon Hart

Nigel Pearson knows all about escape acts. He was manager of the Carlisle United side saved from relegation to the Conference by an injury-time winner from his goalkeeper, Jimmy Glass. He was also on the West Bromwich Albion bench when they jumped three places off the bottom of the Premier League on the last day in 2004/05. There was also his own personal Houdini moment when he was reportedly sacked, then reappointed on one strange weekend in February.

What his Leicester City side have produced this past month continues that theme, but the miracle run – four straight top-flight wins for the first time since the 1960s for a team hitherto winless since January – came to an end last night. “Ruining football since 2003” read a banner held aloft in the Chelsea end before kick-off and they certainly spoiled Leicester’s evening.

“Fearless” read the message on the paper clappers – the brainchild of the club’s Thai owners – which were left on the seat of every home fan before kick-off. A modern spin on the old rattle, they certainly raised the noise levels and for 45 minutes the King Power Stadium felt as energised as Pearson’s resurgent side went in search of their biggest  surprise yet.

Contrary to expectation Pearson sent out an unchanged team, seeking to maintain momentum despite Saturday’s early kick-off against Newcastle United. He was not helped by the loss of Andy King to injury after 19 minutes and Robert Huth, such an influence since arriving on loan from Hull, followed him off five minutes later with an ankle problem. Despite full-back Ritchie de Laet’s efforts to plug the gap, Huth’s departure would prove particularly costly, though initially, with Didier Drogba initially labouring in attack, a shock still felt possible despite Chelsea’s better possession.

One feature of Leicester’s recent success has been their tactical flexibility and it undoubtedly helps him to have a player with the knowhow and experience to put these changes into effect out on the pitch. This is where Esteban Cambiasso plays a key role and for 45 minutes at least he did just that.

When he last played in a match involving Jose Mourinho, he was carrying out the Portuguese manager’s instructions in Internazionale’s 2010 Champions League final triumph over Bayern Munich, and in the first half the influence of the former Argentine international was unmissable.

In one of his early press briefings in the East Midlands he dismissed the suggestion that at 34 he might struggle with the pace of the game. “I don’t know any player who can run faster than the ball,” he replied – and he showed equally quick wit last night.

There was an early show of class as he dispossessed Willian and, despite slipping on to his backside, flicked the ball up and over the Brazilian’s head on to a team-mate. Despite a role just in front of the home defence, he then got behind the Chelsea defence to tee up Marc Albrighton for a blocked shot after Paul Konchesky’s effort had come back off a post. Tellingly, he was also in referee Mark Clattenburg’s ear, which may have helped him escape a booking after an apparent stamp Eden Hazard’s foot.

That experience will have informed him not to get carried away when Leicester went in front through Albrighton on the stroke of half-time. The source of the goal was a familiar ploy – a ball down the channel for the tireless Jamie Vardy to race on to and supply the cross which, via Cesar Azpilicueta’s slip, ran on to Albrighton to finish.

It was a good time to score yet, tellingly, Cambiasso left the pitch gesturing like one of Harry Enfield’s Scousers, urging his team-mates to calm down. He knows better than anybody how a Mourinho team works and so it proved in the second period.

The home side’s work rate remained fantastic but Chelsea, buoyed by that equaliser straight after the restart, made their class tell. The pity for Cambiasso is he was beaten by John Terry to the ball that the Chelsea captain bundled over the line for the second goal and that was that.

For Leicester, the winning run is over, but they remain a point clear of the bottom three and with home games against Newcastle, Southampton and Queen’s Park Rangers to come, they will go again. The clappers will be back on Saturday and Pearson’s escapologists will get back to work.


=========

Telegraph:

Leicester City 1 Chelsea 3

Champions elect come from behind to lay one hand on Premier League title

Didier Drogba, John Terry and Ramires all score after going down to first-half strike from Marc Albrighton

By Henry Winter, King Power Stadium

And that’s why they’re champions-elect. Chelsea showed guts in their response to adversity. And that’s why Chelsea can wrap up the title on Sunday with a win against Crystal Palace, placing the onus on Steven Gerrard and Liverpool to form a guard of honour on May 10. Stamford Bridge would love that.

Instead Jose Mourinho gathered his players in the dressing room at the break, tore into them, reminding them of their responsibilities and of the prize at stake, and they were a totally different side when they returned, playing with confidence, power and pace, playing like cham­pions. The old firm of Didier Drogba and John Terry scored to turn the game on its head.
Ramires made it 3-1 to the visitors with an exquisite finish, rifling the ball in as the away corner chanted “boring, boring Chelsea”.

There was nothing boring about Chelsea after the break, just as there had been nothing boring about Chelsea before Christmas when they played some scintillating football, particularly with Diego Costa in his predatory pomp. As before ­Christmas, so after the interval here, Chelsea played with the handbrake off, with their tails up.
They are now 13 points clear. It is now down to other teams to ­challenge them properly next season, for Man­chester City to rejuvenate their squad and regain their edge, for Arsenal to acquire the tactical nous and psychological strength to live with them and for Manchester United to hold on to David de Gea and buy the two or three players to take the fight to Mourinho’s men.
There is plenty of sniping from rivals at Chelsea, and undoubtedly some of their fans can be charmless at times. “You’ve had your day out, now f--- off home,” the 3,341 Chelsea fans chanted at their Leicester counterparts, whose passionate backing of their under-pressure team helped underpin their recent resurgence. The visitors' more frequent song was the mocking “boring, boring Chelsea”.
Hardly. Chelsea had also appeared keen to confront the “boring” criticism. Drogba posted a video of him, Terry and other team members playing head tennis at the dinner table. “It is amazing football,’’ Mourinho said with a smile. “Only one take. If we [the coaches] do it, we destroy the table!” He also explained why he was cleaning his footwear in the second half, apparently having stubbed it in the chalk, confirming that Chelsea are a shoe-in for the title.
His team also boast the PFA Player of the Year in Eden Hazard, who has vivified games. They have Cesc Fabregas, who recorded his 17th assist of the Premier League season, moving one behind Frank Lampard’s mark from 2004/05 and closing on Thierry Henry’s record of 20 from 2002-03. They have Willian, who was tireless here. They have Nemanja Matic, who would walk into any Premier League midfield, bringing energy and ­control, and who was one of the “giants” Mourinho referred to at the King Power.
Like him or loathe him as a person, and he won’t win many popularity contests at Sunday school, Terry is the most commanding centre-half in the Premier League, of any nationality. In a sport where leaders are not commonplace, Terry stands out even more. His goal took him alongside David Unsworth as the highest-scoring defender in Premier League history with 38 goals.

Chelsea will be deserved champions because they have the best balance between defence and attack, because they have leaders like Terry who drive them on, because they have the creativity of Hazard and Fabregas and because they have Mourinho. He ripped into his players, punctuating his rallying cry with swear words. He remains the most inspirational manager in the Premier League, a tactician who outwits his rivals, who organises and motivates them.
They had needed shaking up. For 45 minutes, Chelsea were on the back foot, struggling to live with Leicester. Pearson was accused of ranting at a reporter after this frustrating defeat, and it was a cheap shot from the Leicester manager to an innocent inquiry about apparent ­criticism of his players, but he remains a manager in control. His players are clearly playing for him, following his orders, knowing that had steered them to four wins on the spin before this.
Vardy set the tone, immediately hounding Branislav Ivanovic. For a half, there was no standing on ceremony by the hosts for such august guests, no reverence shown to Mourinho’s side. Playing against his old Inter Milan boss, Cambiasso was a model of industry and invention. In one move, he fell over in closing down Willian but still showed wonderful footwork in juggling the ball past the Brazilian.
The Argentine midfielder then conjured up one of the passes of the season, a gem swept from left of centre to Leonardo Ulloa in the box, a delivery that demanded so much more than the striker’s clunky first touch. For all this admirable approach work, Petr Cech was not tested on his sixth Premier League appearance of the season until five minutes from the break when Leicester laid siege to his goalmouth and, particularly, when Albrighton arrived to apply the decisive touch of the first half.

On it went from the early stages, Albrighton pressing Hazard and Danny Drinkwater harrying Willian. Leicester briefly lost some momentum with injuries: Andy King and then Robert Huth limped away, being replaced by Matty James and Ritchie de Laet respectively. There was no self-pity from Leicester, no let-up in their hungry work and certainly no diminution of the noise levels set by their supporters. The volume rose when Paul Konchesky hit a post and exploded when Vardy stroked the ball across from the left, and César Azpilicueta slipped on the greasy ­surface. Albrighton kept his footing and composure and rolled the ball past Cech.
Mourinho went to work on his ­players. Three minutes after the restart, Chelsea were level. Ivanovic marauded in from the right, Drogba got in ahead of Morgan and steered a shot past Kasp[er Schmeichel. Eleven minutes from time, Chelsea took the lead. From a Fabregas corner, Gary Cahill headed goalwards, and Schmeichel dropped to his left to save superbly.

Terry was quickest to the loose ball, flicking it home. Then came Fabregas passing smoothly to Ramires, who made it 3-1 to Chelsea with a left-footed strike. “Boring, boring Chelsea” came the chant from the visiting fans, followed by “are you watching, Arsenal?”
Chelsea have thrown down the gauntlet for next season and it is now down to Arsenal, City, United and others to pick it up.


================

Guardian:

John Terry leads from front for Chelsea after Leicester’s early promise

Leicester 1 - 3 Chelsea

Daniel Taylor at the King Power Stadium

By the end, José Mourinho’s only real issue seemed to be the flecks of dirt that were threatening to ruin his brown suede shoes on the muddy touchline. Chelsea’s manager had retreated to his seat and was busy cleaning them with his drink bottle when Ramires arrowed in the third goal of a night that leaves the Premier League leaders one win away from being confirmed as champions. Mourinho, one imagines, will not mind too much if the stains don’t come out.

For a while, his team had looked like they might stretch out the conclusion to the title race longer than anyone had anticipated. Leicester played with great togetherness in the first half and at the interval were threatening to make to it five successive top-flight wins for the first time since 1964. Instead, that turned out to be the point at which Chelsea reminded everyone why they are the best team in this division. The comeback was laced with expertise and their supporters took great joy in mimicking the “Boring, boring Chelsea” chants that had irritated Mourinho more than he was probably willing to let on at Arsenal last Sunday.

He had let off the handbrake here and his players certainly made the point that it is not an uninteresting team that ends the season on an open-top bus. Cesc Fàbregas, in particular, underlined how remarkable it was that he did not make it on to the Professional Footballers’ Association team of the year. Didier Drogba showed glimpses of his old self and it was typical of John Terry that it was his goal, coming forward from defence, that put Chelsea into the lead 11 minutes from time. “Giants of the pitch,” Mourinho called them.

Chelsea certainly had to show great perseverance because Leicester did not resemble a side who had spent seven-eighths of the season looking like certainties for the relegation morgue.

Nigel Pearson’s team set off without even a flicker of trepidation. They pressed and they harried but they also played with width and penetration and Esteban Cambiasso’s touches in midfield must have reminded Mourinho about his contribution when Internazionale won the Champions League in 2010. Cambiasso produced one of the night’s outstanding moments to deceive Willian with some improvisational ball-juggling. The Argentinian was on the floor at the time and that, perhaps, summed up the new confidence of this team.

They also had some rotten luck given the way injuries sabotaged their planning. Andy King was the first player to be forced off after 19 minutes. Robert Huth followed five minutes later and, in the face of all this disruption Leicester did extraordinarily well to keep their structure and take the lead through Marc Albrighton in first-half stoppage time.

What they could not do was hold out early in the second half, when it was obvious Chelsea would come back at them. Afterwards, Mourinho was asked what he had said at half-time. “If I told you there would be too many peeps,” he said. Harsh words were exchanged and Chelsea came out reinvigorated.

Drogba’s equaliser came three minutes after the restart and, from that point onwards Leicester barely threatened again. Fàbregas’s ability to show for the ball was hugely influential whereas the quick, incisive football involving Willian and Eden Hazard was a frequent danger. Terry’s goal came from a corner, reacting first after Kasper Schmeichel had palmed away a splendid, twisting header from Gary Cahill. Ramires added the final flourish with a lovely left-foot shot from Fàbregas’s pass and Mourinho could talk afterwards about how pleasing it would be to clinch the title on their own ground. By the time Liverpool head to Stamford Bridge on Sunday week a guard of honour might be needed.

Diego Costa might also be back this weekend, Mourinho confirmed, and Thibaut Courtois should also be fit after missing this game because he was still feeling a bang to a hip. Petr Cech was deputising and four minutes before the interval we were reminded that Chelsea have the best second-choice goalkeeper in the business with his save to turn Paul Konchesky’s snap-shot against a post.

Those moments gave Leicester encouragement to think their opponents might be vulnerable and in their next attack Jamie Vardy ran through the inside-left then turned the ball across the penalty area where, for once, Chelsea’s back four was out of position. César Azpilicueta slipped and that left Albrighton in space to pick his spot.

Leicester could also reflect on that moment early on when Cambiasso’s pass gave Leonardo Ulloa the chance to run clear only for the striker to waste the opportunity with a wretched first touch. Yet their shortcomings were exposed in the second half. Fàbregas was superb and it was his little up-and-over ball that took out three opponents in the moments before the equaliser. Branislav Ivanovic was forward again and Drogba, anticipating the cross, got in front of Ritchie De Laet to flash his shot past Schmeichel.

What followed had an air of inevitability. “We played so well, so fluid,” Mourinho reflected, and they did not look like a team who will miss the opportunity against Crystal Palace on Sunday.


==============


Mail:

Leicester 1-3 Chelsea: Jose Mourinho's side one win away from being crowned Premier League champions after fighting back from a goal down to overcome Nigel Pearson's battlers

Matt Barlow

Didier Drogba was utterly exhausted and emotionally drained as he and John Terry held each other up through a post-match flash interview.
It was as if these two warriors might collapse on camera if either of them moved, so they clung on and spoke happily if wearily after supplying the goals which fuelled this fight-back at Leicester.
Drogba is into his 38th year and could be doing something a little more leisurely than leading the line through 90 minutes at the sharp end of the season. Centre-forward is a demanding role in any team, let alone one of Jose Mourinho’s.

But he and Terry are not shaped that way and the pride burned through their yellow shirts as they led their team-mates to salute three thousand noisy Chelsea supporters in the corner of the King Power Stadium.
They had trailed to a goal from Marc Albrighton after a slightly lethargic first-half display but came out inspired and soon levelled through Drogba, before Terry put the Londoners ahead, 12 minutes from time, and Ramires curled the third into the top corner.
The strike by Ramires triggered an ironic chorus of 'Boring Boring Chelsea' from the visiting fans and they sang long into the night, aware that their team can be crowned champions on Sunday at Stamford Bridge if they beat Crystal Palace.
Mourinho tried to play down the party vibe but they will come in expectation because this has the feel of a procession after breaking through an awkward sequence of games with only one fit centre-forward, who happened to be 37.

Drogba’s legs don’t cover quite the same ground at quite the same rate as they once did. He rarely gets clear of the back-line, it has been a long time since he screamed one into the top corner and his touch can be heavy.
Until Wednesday night it had been a long time since he found the net. You have to go all the way back to Newcastle away in December, when he came on in a bid to rescue Chelsea from their first defeat of the campaign, and almost managed it.
Drogba has an impossible-to-pin-down ability to influence the game and his desire glows as fiercely as ever. He energised Chelsea with the equaliser - just as he once did in Munich in the Champions League final.
He missed chances and he might have scored more, but he never stopped showing for the ball or leading by example to those team-mates who have yet to cross this finish-line in a title race, as injured striker Diego Costa and Loic Remy looked on from the stands.
Mourinho wanted all of his squad to travel and prepare together at St George’s Park as a show of solidarity as they closed in on the goal.
This was where the head-tennis video was filmed which went viral on Wednesday.
Six Chelsea players headed the ball back and forth across the dinner table until it reached John Obi Mikel, on the end, who nodded it into a bin. Judging by the celebrations which followed, Remy is not far from a return.

On Wednesday, it was over to the legends who have made the journey before to respond to the challenge set down by Nigel Pearson’s vibrant team, who offered more evidence, even in defeat, that they are capable of surviving the drop.
Terry scored his seventh of the season, forcing the ball in from close range after Kasper Schmeichel had saved from Gary Cahill at a corner.
And Petr Cech came in for Thibaut Courtois and played superbly, making a crucial save to thwart Paul Konchesky when the game was goalless.
Courtois hurt his hip during Sunday’s draw at Arsenal and was on the bench. Cech came in for only his fifth Premier League game of the season, but buoyed by the knowledge he had not conceded in this competition for more than a year.
Leicester started at a healthy tempo, seeking to use the electric pace of Jamie Vardy, only to see their rhythm disrupted to injuries which forced Andy King and Robert Huth off before the interval.
Chelsea dominated from midway through the first half but that did not prevent Leicester from taking the lead on the break when Matty James released Vardy down the left.
Vardy beat Terry to the ball and cut his cross low and deep. It might have been aimed at Leonardo Ulloa, but it bypassed the Argentine striker and Cesar Azpilicueta slipped as he tried to adjust his feet.

The upshot was a simple finish for Albrighton, arriving late with the ball set nicely and Cech’s goal hopelessly exposed. He had not scored for more than four years but he made no mistake, sliding it low into the net.
The King Power erupted as home fans detected an improbably fifth win on the bounce and another year in this lofty company.
But Drogba soon punctured those hopes when he reacted swiftly to beat substitute Ritchie de Laet to a low cross from Branislav Ivanovic and hooked it past Schmeichel.
It was a different game from this point. Chelsea had re-emerged in a different mood. There was extra urgency about their game and they would go on to win by more than one goal for the first time since a 5-0 win against Swansea in mid-January.
Drogba fired one chance over and another wide but Terry produced the second, just as it seemed Mourinho would have to settle for a point.
It could have been many more but Ramires made it three. And it wasn’t boring at all.


==============

Mirror:

Leicester City 1-3 Chelsea: Blues come from behind to end Foxes unbeaten run and close on the title

By Mike Walters

Didier Drogba, John Terry and Ramires notched second-half goals to move the Blues one win from the Premier League championship

Instead of the title race being a cliffhanger, it's a Cliff Richard – we've got ourselves a crying, walking, sleeping, talking, living dull climax at the summit.

Chelsea are just three points from the title and, if they take care of business on Sunday against Crystal Palace, Jose Mourinho can order the open-topped bus.

It took two goals in the last 12 minutes to break Leicester's resistance.

But 13 points clear isn't boring – it's a procession.

Scoring 68 goals in 34 games isn't boring – it's a better strike rate than British Leyland in the days of feared shop steward Red Robbo.

Going to Arsenal and smothering their exotic forwards under a defensive blanket isn't boring. It's a comfort rug for those who fear clean sheets were an endangered species in English football.

And winning the title with three weeks to spare isn't boring. It just shows Chelsea are a team ahead of their time. About three weeks ahead of their time.

Last night they responded like champions after falling behind at the King Power.

They were blunt and uninspired for 45 minutes, but when the chips were down the Blues were stout of heart, firm of rectum and, yes, stylish.

Leicester, disrupted by injuries to Andy King and Robert Huth inside the first 25 minutes, we can deal with summarily.

They are not going down.

After springing the escape hatch with four wins on the bounce, they came close to a bonus point – and their commitment bordered on sensational.

Backs to the wall for long periods as they reorganised their shape and tactics, they summoned the willpower to lift the siege and snatch an unlikely lead in first-half stoppage time.

Petr Cech had already been required to make a sprawling low save to deny Paul Konchesky before Jamie Vardy escaped down the left, Cesar Azpilicueta located a stray banana skin on the greasy surface, and Marc Albrighton punished his slip with a slick finish.

Mourinho administered a piece of his mind with the slices of orange at the break, and you could tell boring, boring Chelsea meant business when they emerged for the second half because Cesc Fabregas had removed his Phantom of the Opera mask.

Sure enough, after the Special One had stripped the paint from the visitors' dressing room walls, it took Chelsea fewer than three minutes to respond.

Branislav Ivanovic, rampaging into the box without an escort, picked out Didier Drogba with a low centre and the old warhorse tucked away his seventh goal of the season.

Drogba may not be the barnstorming warrior of old, but you can't knock spots off a decorator's radio and at 37 you can't knock spots off Drogba's eye for goal.

"We shall not be moved, running football since 2003" read one banner among the 3,300 away supporters – and Chelsea's strong finish proved them right.

Leicester's resolve never buckled, but going to watch Chelsea these days is like watching your favourite film.

You've seen it dozens of times before and you know how it's going to end, but you still watch it all the way through anyway.

From a left-wing corner delivered by the man without the mask, Gary Cahill's header was parried by Kasper Schmeichel – but John Terry was on hand to poke the rebound over the line.

Captain, Leader, Legend is not everyone's cup of tea, but it still beggars belief that England coach Roy Hodgson hasn't invited him to Wembley and put the kettle on to discuss an international curtain call.

Chelsea's encore here, seven minutes from time, was another slick production as Fabregas teed up Ramires to make it 3-1 with a sweet left-footer from the edge of the box.

From that moment, Leicester knew it was all over. And on Sunday, the title race will probably be over, too.

“Boring, boring Chelsea,” sang the travelling missionaries from west London mockingly.

Nah, this lot aren't boring to watch. They are simply the best team in the country.


Leicester XI: Schmeichel; Wasilewski, Huth, Morgan; Albrighton, King, Cambiasso, Drinkwater, Konchesky; Vardy, Ulloa.

Subs used: James (King 19'), De Laet (Huth 24'), Mahrez (Vardy 77')

Subs not used: Schwarzer, Hammond, Wood, Kramarić.


Chelsea XI: Cech; Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Azpilicueta; Ramires, Matic; Willian, Fabregas, Hazard; Drogba. [4-2-3-1]

Subs used: Zouma (Willian 84'), Cuadrado (Hazard 88'), Mikel (Fabregas 90')

Subs not used: Courtois, Filipe Luis, Ake, Oscar


==========


Express:

Leicester 1 - Chelsea 3: Veterans power past Foxes as Blues inch closer to title

THE OLD guard are steering Chelsea home to this Premier League title, inch by inch, point by point, trick by trick.

By TONY BANKS


On a bruising, challenging night at the King Power Stadium, as Leicester gave all they had, it was Didier Drogba and John Terry who grabbed the crucial goals that leave Chelsea just three points from their fourth Premier League title.

After Marc Albrighton had given relegation-threatened Leicester a shock lead, it was 37-year-old Drogba who calmed the nerves with the equaliser.

Terry, another survivor from Jose Mourinho’s first two titles, then added a killer second and Ramires rubbed salt in the wound.

The fat lady may not be singing yet, but she is certainly clearing her throat – and the celebrations look set to begin against Crystal Palace on Sunday at Stamford Bridge.

Leicester went into the game having won their previous four matches, having won only four all season beforehand. Suddenly there was light at the end of what had been a very dark tunnel.

Whether Chelsea would allow that light to carry on flickering was another matter. Stricken by injuries, especially in attack, Mourinho’s team had been grinding out the results. They had not conceded a goal in their previous three games.

There had been speculation that Leicester manager Nigel Pearson would rest players last night, with more ‘winnable’ games against Newcastle and Southampton to come, to which he had reacted angrily.

In the end he kept the same team that won so crucially at Burnley last Saturday. Drogba returned up front for Chelsea, but with Thibaut Courtois injured, Petr Cech, who had not conceded a goal in five league appearances this season, stepped in.

Leicester were lively from the start but they were almost caught out by a lightning Willian break, only for Drogba to screw his shot horribly.

Pearson’s men though were brimming with new-found confidence, and Wes Morgan nodded just wide as they kept probing.

But then both Andy King and Robert Huth limped off in quick succession, and as they tried to settle, Drogba turned to shoot wide.

It was a familiar tale, Chelsea allowing their opponents plenty of possession but letting them do little with it. Better teams than Leicester had been flummoxed by those methods this season.

Substitute Matty James tried his hand from long range, but neither goalkeeper had been really troubled.

That was until Albrighton crossed from the right and Paul Konchesky caught Ramires napping, as he sneaked in at the back to force Cech to save low down by his post.

Chelsea did not clear the ball though, and Albrighton saw his close-range shot blocked by Gary Cahill in a frantic scramble.

It had been a fortunate escape for the title favourites, but it was only a temporary respite as Leicester broke the deadlock just before half-time.

Jamie Vardy broke down the left and crossed low, Cesar Azpilicueta disastrously slipped, and Albrighton fired low into the net. The King Power Stadium erupted.

However, the home fans were silenced three minutes into the second half as Chelsea drew level. Branislav Ivanovic turned James and broke to the byline.

The Serb crossed low and there was the old warrior Drogba to slide in the equaliser – his seventh goal of the season and his first since December.

Drogba could have put Chelsea ahead a minute later, but blazed his shot high and wide from Cesc Fabregas’s pass.

Mourinho had clearly had words with his troops at half-time and they were far more aggressive.

Fabregas put Drogba away again and this time the Ivorian, out of contract at the end of this season, shot across the face of goal.

But then the killer. Fabregas floated in a corner from the left, Gary Chaill flicked on, and there was Terry to nip in front of Esteban Cambiasso as Kasper Schmeichel flailed to stab in.

Four minutes later, Fabregas teed up Ramires with a lovely pull-back and the Brazilian fired in number three. It is what title-winning teams do – kill their opponents off.

Leicester (3-5-2 ): Schmeichel; Wasilewski, Huth (De Laet 23), Morgan; Albrighton, King (James 17), Cambiasso, Drinkwater, Konchesky; Vardy (Mahrez 76), Ulloa. Booked: Konchesky. Goal: Albrighton 45. NEXT UP: Newcastle (h), PL Sat.

Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Cech; Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Azpilicueta; Ramires, Matic; Willian (Zouma 84), Fabregas (Mikel 90), Hazard (Cuadrado 88); Drogba. Goals: Drogba 48, Terry 79, Ramires 83. NEXT UP: Crystal Palace (h), PL Sun.

Referee: M Clattenburg (County Durham).


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Star:

Leicester 1 Chelsea 3: Second-half BLITZ leaves Blues on the brink of Premier League glory

CHELSEA were stunned into drastic action to keep them on course to become champions on Sunday.

By Dave Armitage


Three second half goals saw off gallant Leicester and set things up perfectly for Jose Mourinho’s men to seal the title for the fourth time in ten years against Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge.

In the end, they ran out comfortable winners but only after being rocked on their heels right on half time when the Foxes threatened to wreck their party plans.

Marc Albrighton gave Leicester a shock, but thoroughly deserved, lead and Chelsea were flustered over their half-time cuppa.

Mourinho didn’t need to tell his men that he wants this title wrapping up at the earliest opportunity and they served up the goods with a dominant second half showing.

'Boring, boring Chelsea' came the ironic chants from the Blues fans as goals from Didier Drogba, John Terry and Ramires put Leicester to the sword.

Chelsea are now 13 points clear at the top and a win against Palace secures their first title in five years.

But, Mourinho had to rely on his old guard to come up trumps after Albrighton’s goal floored his men.

First Drogba struck, then skipper Terry led from the front yet again before Ramires wrapped it up late on.

If either side deserved to lead going in at the break it was The Foxes, but as the clock ticked away on the three minutes of stoppage time a goal seemed unlikely.

Then the stadium erupted as Albrighton picked the perfect moment to score his first goal for the club with less than a minute to the whistle.

What a cracker it was too as Leicester caught Chelsea back-peddling with a lightning break down the left.

Leo Ulloa turned briskly and skimmed a ball across the wet surface to where the tireless Jamie Vardy was charging towards the edge of the box.

Vardy eventually found himself too wide to take a pot at goal and was forced to cut the ball back.

What he couldn’t have banked on was Cesar Azpilicueta slipping as he tried to intervene and the ball fell straight into Albrighton’s path.

The winger took his time and did exactly the right thing, sidefooting a low shot into the bottom corner to stun Chelsea.

Mourinho’s men had been given enough warnings from a side who jumped out of the bottom for the first time in five months on the back of four successive wins.

But Drogba fired them level within three minutes of the re-start and Cesc Fabregas should have put them ahead a minute later.

Drogba showed lightning speed of thought when he got on the end of Ivanovic’s cross after a wonderful clipped ball by Eden Hazard.

The powerhouse striker reacted in a flash, making sure he was first to the ball and diverting it past Kasper Schmeichel.

Fabregas messed up a great opportunity straight after, completely missing the ball after Willian had set him up with a cross from the right.

Cech had to be at his brilliant best when Paul Konchesky’s shot looked destined for the bottom corner.

Then Terry proved what he’s all about, kneeing the ball home from close range in the 79th minute to give his men the lead.

It was quick thinking by the skipper who cashed in after Schmeichel had done well to save Cahill’s goalbound header.

Chelsea couldn’t rest easy with just one goal advantage against such plucky opponents and up stepped Ramires with a stunner of a goal.


He fired the ball into the roof of the net from the edge of the box after Fabregas had cut the ball back into his path.