Image source, Reuters

The tempo has gone down after a bright start by Manchester City. After a couple of Chelsea attacks, the away side have retreated a little and it has all become a little cagey.

Former Man City wing-half Fred Eyre, BBC Radio Manchester

"Chelsea have eased their way back into the game. John Terry has been at the heart of a defence that has been under a bit of strain but without showing any sign of wilting. And now they're starting to apply some pressure of their own."

A Chelsea attack breaks down and Manchester City race up the other end as Sergio Aguero gets into the box. He is about to pull the trigger but Kurt Zouma times his tackle to perfection and snuffs out the danger.

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Iain Clark: Man City starting well. Cesc Fabregas missing will hurt more than Diego Costa.

ApSam: Chelsea look a bit jaded after midweek extra-time. Oscar and Branislav Ivanovic already being lazy.

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Eden Hazard has his first chance to test Manchester City's soft underbelly that is their central defence as he tries to wiggle into the middle from out wide. City are forced to thump the ball behind for a corner, which John Terry heads wide.

Chief football writer Phil McNulty at Stamford Bridge

"Little bit of an "us against the world" feel among the crowd here at Stamford Bridge tonight as the name of suspended leading scorer Diego Costa rings out repeatedly and there is some over-exaggerated anger about a couple of early decisions going against Jose Mourinho's side. If there is a sense of injustice about the suspension to Costa following his three-game ban for a stamp on Liverpool's Emre Can, it is a view that will not get much sympathy outside Stamford Bridge.

"As for Mourinho, he is visibly pumped up and jumped out of his technical area to tell Eden Hazard to get back to his feet quickly after he was bundled off the ball."

Former Man City wing-half Fred Eyre, BBC Radio Manchester

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"It's a frightening pace at which this game is being played. But City are the better side. Jose Mourinho has hardly stirred from the bench yet. He must be in one of his sombre moods..."

Manchester City come forward again as Gael Clichy passes to David Silva, who puts too much pace on the return ball and it runs out of play wide left. Clichy would have been in and Silva knows he should have done better, rubbing his head in frustration.

This is not the game to be making mistakes in and Branislav Ivanovic is almost punished as he carelessly gifts possession to Manchester City on the edge of his own area and Jesus Navas feeds a pass to Fernandinho, whose deflected strike flies just wide of the far post.

Former Man City wing-half Fred Eyre, BBC Radio Manchester

"I hear 650 million people round the world are watching this game. Such theatre. I don't understand the exclusion of Pablo Zabaleta. It doesn't make sense to me at all. But hopefully by the end of the game I'll be sitting here saying Mr Pellegrini got that selection spot on, that it was a stroke of genius, and that's why he's the City manager.

"And to be fair, City have started brilliantly. Several stinging one-touch passes. Great start."

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Four minutes Jose Mourinho managed to stay sat down. He is up and patrolling his technical area as the two sides tussle on the pitch. Neither team is allowing the other much time on the ball, with the player in possession quickly surrounded by two or three opponents.

Former Tottenham striker Garth Crooks, Final Score

"Jose Mourinho is professional enough and mature enough to look beyond his feud with Manuel Pellegrini. He is a winner, and to play for him must be a pleasure. But if Pellegrini's team win tonight it will really add some spice to this title chase."

BBC Radio Manchester at Stamford Bridge

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Former Manchester City striker Shaun Goater has just popped up on BBC Radio Manchester at Stamford Bridge: "I sat down, I looked around and I saw a sign that said Bermuda Blues. I was delighted... until I saw it was a Chelsea flag!"

Manchester City are immediately on the attack as Thibaut Courtois bats away Jesus Navas' early strike. Setting the tone for the game ahead?

The injured Cesc Fabregas, sporting a stunningly bad green bobble hat, is in the stands, sat alongside Diego Costa.

This is the big one, and we are under way.

Manuel Pellegrini offers a hand to Jose Mourinho, who shakes it. It is probably fair to say the two are not the best of friends, but keep everything civil ahead of kick-off.

James Wall: Frank Lampard is the greatest player Chelsea have ever had. Any 'fan' that boos him should be banned from the ground for life.

Rajan Paudel: It will be an awkward moment if Lampard come on and scores in the second half to ruin Chelsea's day in front of so many Chelsea fans.

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Jose Mourinho wanders out of the tunnel, gives a thumbs up to some Chelsea fans near the dugout and takes his seat. The two teams are lined up in the tunnel, ready to go out.

Vincent Kompany looking into the eyes of each and every one of his team-mates, Chelsea skipper John Terry, fully focused on the task at hand, looks straight ahead.

Former Arsenal defender Martin Keown
Final Score

"As a neutral you want Manchester City to win this, because otherwise it looks like Chelsea will run away with the title. But I just feel Chelsea will move on through the gears now after making it to the League Cup final. Yes there are players out for Chelsea - Cesc Fabregas and Diego Costa - but there is still enough energy in the squad, and City are depleted too, with Yaya Toure at the Africa Cup of Nations."

Former Tottenham striker Garth Crooks, Final Score

"I'm going for a draw tonight. I think City will get something at Stamford Bridge."