FT: Man City 3-0 Chelsea - reaction

1. Terry substituted for first time ever by Mourinho
2. Chelsea have one point from opening two games
3. Man City top of Premier League with two wins

Thank you and good night

There is one more Premier League round-two fixture to play, with Bournemouth travelling to Liverpool tomorrow night. We will be back to bring you that game. If it is half as good as today's games it will be worth following. Have a good evening.

Match report

"City look lean and hungry again," says our chief football writer Phil McNulty in his match report, which you can read here. I won't disagree with him.

Player reaction

Manchester City midfielder Fernandinho, speaking to BBC Sport: “It’s a good way to start. Two wins form two games, six goals, none conceded. Beat the champions at home? It’s the best way to start. You can see on the pitch, every player works very hard during the week in training and then in matches. Two wins and I hope we can do that in the following games because we are fighting for the title. It’s good because they are a good team, but our team is strong, we have a good team as well."

On his challenge with Diego Costa: “It’s normal. It is the battle of the game. I tried to win the ball in the air with my head, there was a small shock. That happens in football. The most important was the three points.”

Manager reaction

More from Manuel Pellegrini on BBC Sport:  "I said in an interview before the start of the season that I know these players they are hungry and angry. What happened last season was maybe a good experience. Now they have that desire to win every game and the only way to do it is to play consistently for 90 minutes."

On the performance of Raheem Sterling: “ He did very well, in both games he was very imp in making space and doing different things. I am sure that as he plays with his new team-mates he will continue to improve.”

Manager reaction

More from Manuel Pellegrini on BBC Sport:  "We had three unnecessary yellow cards and in the second half that restricted a  bit the pace we had in the first half. It was difficult to keep the score at just one goal but the changes we made were what we needed and finally we scored the two goals we deserved from the first half.

"We created a lot of chances, scored goals, we kept a clean sheet, we were consistent during the whole game. It is impossible to dominate against Chelsea the whole game, they had to have some minutes, they had the minutes in the second half but in their best moments they created just one chance to score."

Rahman 'joins Chelsea'

Manager reaction

Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini, speaking to BBC Sport:

"To play against Chelsea is always very difficult – they defend with a lot of players and are fast on the counter attack. But today we made a complete game, not only because we scored three goals but in the first 45 minutes we could have scored three more. Only the great performance of Asmir Begovic was the reason why we couldn't. We played in the way I like, to always try to score more. It was a great performance."

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Lapo Scarlatti: Chelsea fan here and I totally disagree with Mourinho. The best team won and totally deserved it. Blues has A LOT to work; perhaps it wasn't such a good idea to start the summer training so late in July. Congrats to City, absolutely dominant in every spot of the field.

Patrick Winters: Didn't City score two goals in second half? Here's how it works Jose. They scored three goals. You scored no goals. They take the 3pts. Simple.

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Manager reaction

More from Jose Mourinho, on BBC Sport: "It is a fake result. We were the best team by far in the second half. What they did in the first we did in the second. 

"We dominated and when they feel they are in trouble, and they felt, they changed Aguero and Sterling, they try to recover control of the game is exactly when they scored the second goal. For me, completely fake.

"Their goalkeeper was good and we couldn't score. They were only coming up with long balls and even that we controlled that. Not one single problem in the second half, they had lots."

"Ten seconds of the game and Aguero was behind mydefensive line. We started immediately bad."

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John Gardner:  I wonder who Mourinho will blame for this defeat. Referee, linesman or even ball boy. It certainly won't be the doctor.

Markus Gregson:  Why is it Mourinho always says that they were the better team. Sorry Jose but if that was the case you should of won the game. You ain't the special one your just another manager that can't accept the fact you lost and was outplayed again.

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Manager reaction

Jose Mourinho tells Sky Sports John Terry was withdrawn at half-time for tactical reasons:

"It was a decision. Zouma is the fastest defender we have in the squad. I know Man City are going to play counter attack and Zouma is a different player to John and was proven right because Zouma was in complete control.

"John is a player I have total trust for, with me he was never substituted, With other managers he was not selected and people thought his Chelsea career was over.

"If a manager has the right, I do, because I gave the chance to make him what he is, a fantastic player and a fantastic captain. I was proven right.

"One point from six is better than zero and worse than two. I am okay in mathematics,  multiply 36 by three and I know how much it gives, I know the championship is more than mathematically open."

Manager reaction

More from Manuel Pellegrini on Sky Sports:  "Always when you don’t score the goals you deserve, normally after that is difficult. We started the second half losing important balls and Chelsea grew. They are a good team so of course we were worried, but they had just one chance to score in our bad moments, they did not create chances.

"It was not the same team as the first half but after the changes we recovered possession and scored the 3-0 that was the minimum we deserved from this game.

"I am very proud of this team. We have had a lot of criticism but we are always the most scoring team. We won two titles and last year we finished in second place and I continue playing this side. This is the side fans deserve."

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Anukram Adhikary:  According to #Mourinho, in the second half, #CFCfalse were the better team. Makes perfect sense as they conceded two more goals.

Stephen Pinshon: #Chelsea have conceded only 2 goals less than Sunderland. Jose's hasn't parked the bus, he's lost it in the Lidl car park.

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Manager reaction

Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini, speaking to Sky Sports:

“Two things are the most pleasing to me about this match. Number one to score three goals. In the first half we played really well, just Asmir Begoivc put in a great performance and we didn't score more.

"Second it was important to get a clean sheet. To win 3-0 in two games, one against the champions, we are just starting the season but it’s important to play in the way we did today.

"We always dominate Chelsea. Maybe we draw against them last year and before we lost but always we dominate Chelsea. Today we made the complete work."

Next up for Chelsea

Chelsea's next game by the way... West Brom away. You may remember they lost there 3-0 last season.

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Dominant City

I'm going to tease you some Manuel Pellegrini quotes as well now. In a post-match interview, the Manchester City boss has just said that his side "always dominate Chelsea". More of that coming very soon.

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Manager reaction

More from Jose Mourinho on Sky Sports  "Their decision to bring on (centre-back) Martin Demichelis is an intelligent change, the sort of change I get criticised for all the time. 

"Their midfield was in trouble, probably they should finish the game with nine men. In the end I have to be happy with the second half we did. That is not enough to win the game."

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Simon, Leeds: Jose working on his statement. Apparently the Chelsea kit man gave Ivanovic the wrong shin pads today. Which is why the best team lost again. 

Charles Kahanji: BREAKING NEWS: I understand there will be a crisis meeting at Stamford Bridge tomorrow at 9am

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Manager reaction

OK, here we go...

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho on Sky Sports: "The best team in the first half won the game. The best team in the second half was Chelsea for sure. We had a difficult first half, we didn't create a lot and our goalkeeper made a few important saves. 

"Second half everything was different. If the 1-0 was a doubtful result at minute 70, 3-0 is completely fake. At 1-0 Chelsea were the best team for the whole second half.

"They make a change because they feel 1-0 is in danger and we concede a second goal. If 1-1 a different story, their team is in trouble."

Reuters

A fake result?

Jose reaction alert! we'll have some Mourinho quotes for you shortly, in which he describes this as a "fake result". 

I can assure you Jose, it is very real.

Reuters

Player reaction

Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero, speaking to Sky Sports: " It was very good. It’s important the goal because the first one is always important. Then the team is more calm. It’s important the three points because Chelsea is difficult, they are the champions."

Manchester City defender Vincent Kompany, speaking to Sky Sports: " There actually wasn't much difference to how we played against Chelsea twice last season, but this time we managed to score and not make the same mistakes. It was a comfortable game.To start the way we did today is definitely the right signal but there’s still a lot to come. 

"As a defender scoring is not what I take most pride, but I am really happy with the two clean sheets – that is what makes me sleep well at night."

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Get Involved

Niklas Lanwher:   Third season syndrome for Mourinho on its way again, didn't end well in neither his first Chelsea spell nor at Real Madrid

Ian Ashton:  Don't see how Mourinho can attempt to deflect the media's attention after this result

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Premier League table

Few would have predicted that Chelsea would be in the bottom six after two games. They are though...

Opta

Bad day for Jose

As Opta spell out, it has been a day to forget for Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho... 

Mourinho has now lost 10 of his 78 Premier League games in his second spell in charge of Chelsea. He lost 10 of 120 in his first spell.  

This is his joint-heaviest defeat in the Premier League, matching the 0-3 vs Middlesbrough in 05-06 and WBA last season.  

Reuters

Premier League table

This is how the top of the Premier League looks at the end of the weekend.

Opta

Danny Mills

BBC Radio 5 live at the Etihad Stadium

Manchester City were fantastic. City continued to attack after the early Sergio Aguero chance. They never allowed Chelsea into the game. All the credit to City - they were fantastic today. Psychologically it was important for City.

FULL-TIME

City make it two 3-0 wins out of two and they top the table. They fully deserved this win. They were better from start to finish. Statement delivered.

Chelsea fail to get a win from their first two games of a Premier League season for the first time since 1998. That will not worry Jose Mourinho as much as the fact they were so clearly outclassed today by last season's nearest rivals.

EPA

HITS THE WOODWORK

Diego Costa dives in to get his boot to a low cross in to the box but his poked effort hits the post. Joe Hart is then quickly up to save a follow-up. It has not been Chelsea's day.

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YELLOW CARD

Eliaquim Mangala takes a yellow for the team to prevent Chelsea breaking. Two minutes left.

John Terry is not a happy man. He watches on from the bench with a grave look on his face. In case you missed it, he was withdrawn at half-time, for the first time under Jose Mourinho. 

Chelsea have three more minutes of added time to endure. 

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AFP/GETTY

How the goal was scored

Opta

Danny Mills

BBC Radio 5 live at the Etihad Stadium

What a fantastic strike. That was an absolute rocket. He struck right through it. Begovic, who had a decent game, had no chance.

PA

Reuters

GOAL - Manchester City 3-0 Chelsea

Not the worst way to finish a game off. The goal is scored by Fernandinho, courtesy of a cracking drive from the edge of the box. But that is only half the story, which includes some shocking Chelsea defending. The away side looked to have stopped the City attack but Branislav Ivanovic gifts possession back to City and Fernandinho does the rest. Chelsea are shot. City rampant.

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SUBSTITUTION

Sergio Aguero gets a standing ovation as he is replaced by Wilfried Bony. He fully deserves it as well. Awesome.

Raheem Sterling enjoyed a fairly solid home debut for Manchester City. Nothing spectacular but Manuel Pellegrini can have a few complaints with him.

Opta

Danny Mills

BBC Radio 5 live at the Etihad Stadium

It was a decent ball in. Vincent Kompany was more determined and held off Ivanovic. There wasn't a single Chelsea player on the post.

Reuters

Almost 3-0. Sergio Aguero sets up Yaya Toure to curl a shot on target from 30 yards but Asmir Begovic is down quickly to block.

GOAL - Manchester City 2-0 Chelsea

What do they say about making changes at corners? This game is over. David Silva whips in his delivery from the corner and Vincent Kompany performs his familiar trick of muscling his way to the front post to glance a header into the far corner.

Reuters

SUBSTITUTION

City withdraw winger Raheem Sterling and send on Martin Dimichelis. Chelsea send on Radamel Falcao for Willian.

There are some tired legs out there now. David Silva finds space and sets up a City attack, which sees Aleksandar Kolarov's low cross from the left kicked away by Asmir Begovic. City come again, though, and force a corner... Before they can take it...

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Salv, Weston super Mare:  Bring on Falcao and put him up front with Costa.

Stewart, Broadstairs: Including the pre-season friendlies and if it stays as it is Chelsea still haven't won a game so far this season. I just don't understand how most of the pundits have them down to win the PL.

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City on the counter and Raheem Sterling rolls away from Branislav Ivanovic and drives to the byline, but his cut-back is only to a Chelsea player, who clears.

The dynamic of the game has changed now. Chelsea are pushing forward (they have no choice) and City are the team trying to hold firm. Most of the play is in the City half.

'High quality display from Man City'

Phil McNulty

BBC Sport chief football writer at the Etihad

Chelsea making a much better fist of things in this half but Manchester City still carry real movement and menace. This has been a high-quality performance from Manuel Pellegrini's team - but Chelsea still hanging in there."

Reuters

Impressive stuff from Sergio Aguero so far. Not only has he scored the only goal but his passing stats are pretty much flawless. One missed pass all afternoon so far, shown in red below.

Opta

City breathe a sigh of relief. Chelsea look to be in a great position with a three-on-three at the back. Eden Hazard is set up to shoot low from 15 yards out but fires straight at Joe Hart. Diego Costa can't latch on to the lose ball, but he would have been off side regardless.

That is a huge warning for City not to over-commit.

Diego Costa is raging again. He thinks he should have had a foul on the edge of the City box after being sent tumbling to the turf by Vincent Kompany. The referee doesn't agree.

PA

Danny Mills

BBC Radio 5 live

They need more creativity. Hazard has not been in fantastic form. Costa has been well marshalled. They need a true number 10 who can do a little trick and go past somebody.

After last weekend's histrionics, Jose Mourinho has been relatively calm on the touchline so far. We get a hint, though, that something is bubbling up inside him as he wags his finger in protest at a throw-in going City's way.

It has been a frustrating day for the champions, but despite being second best they remain in this game with just over 20 minutes to go.

Reuters

Get Involved

Rob Alderman:  Without Begovic, this would already be over. Hoping we nick a late one for a draw

Rob Millward:  Easiest way to describe Chelsea in 4 words at the start of this season... 'Just not quick enough'! Both in defence and attack!

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SUBSTITUTION

Chelsea's Juan Cuadrado has hardly set the league alight since joining last season but he has a chance now as he comes on for Ramires.

Soon after the change, Sergio Aguero hammers a shot past the post before Jesus Navas departs to be replaced by Samir Nasri for City.

A superb move from City, which sees Yaya Toure find Sergio Aguero and then receive the ball back - ends as the midfielder's shot from the edge of the box is saved low down by Asmir Begovic. Silky stuff.

Opta

City can't get carried away, though. Chelsea remain a big threat, which they illustrate through a Branislav Ivanovic cross that flies across goal between keeper and back four. All it needed was another away player to take a gamble.

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Rachel T:  But who is Mourinho going to blame? Jeremy Corbyn?

Adrian Wyatt:  Everton must be happy. Stones value goes up by a million every 10 minutes..

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Chelsea have a corner but City do well to head clear and then prevent Eden Hazard supplying another cross in to the box from the other side. City have been great going forward, but they have also been superbly organised at the back.

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Danny Mills

BBC Radio 5 live at the Etihad Stadium

Referee Martin Atkinson has to be careful that the game doesn't run away from him. He needs to take a few breaths. We don't want any silly sending offs.

The City fans aren't happy. Cesc Fabregas drops to the ground after bumping in to Sergio Aguero. Not sure what the striker did wrong there other than stand his ground. It turns the anger-o-meter on the pitch up another notch.

Further detail about the Terry substitution. This is the first time in 177 matches that the defender has been taken off by Jose Mourinho. There have been suggestions that he may have tweaked a thigh. What is not in doubt is that Sergio Aguero was tearing both he and Gary Cahill apart in the first half.

Reuters

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Daniel Walford:  Terry can't cut it any more against the top movers. Well, he's only human.

Peter Collins:  I can't remember the last time I saw Chelsea struggling to handle any team defensively. What on earth is going on?

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The ball is in the City net, courtesy of a flick by Ramires past Joe Hart, but it won't count. The flag is up. The Chelsea midfielder doesn't realise for a while, though, and celebrates for a good 10 seconds, much to the delight of the City fans. Always makes you look a fool.

Reuters

Oh, how have Chelsea survived that? Aleksandar Kolarov's first delivery is poor but he gets a second go and fires low to provoke a bit of pin ball between three Chelsea players in front of goal before the ball is hammered clear. That could have gone anywhere.

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More trouble for Chelsea as Sterling beats Branislav Ivanovic and is tripped on the edge of the box on the left. It is a yellow card for the defender and another dangerous free-kick.

Reuters

Trouble early on for Chelsea. Raheem Sterling is tripped and City have a free-kick on the left of the box. Aleksandar Kolarov swings it over and Yaya Toure is just unable to rise high enough to head on target.

Reuters

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Kyle, Newcastle fan: No more than City deserve . City by far the better side and justice is done that a classy entertaining side are beating anti football from a boring side. Come on City. Aguero and Silva are world class and a joy to watch.  

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KICK-OFF

And we are back under way.

SUBSTITUTION

Kurt Zouma is on. John Terry is off. Interesting. Looks like Jose Mourinho thinks he needs some pace to take care of Sergio Aguero. he is not wrong. This is the first time Jose has substituted Terry in the Premier League.

Reuters

Shot-shy Chelsea

No wonder Jose Mourinho looks a little fed up. Chelsea have failed to register a shot on target in the first half in three of their last five Premier League away games.

PA

Frustration for Costa

Diego Costa has won 61.5% of his duels so far and touched the ball 30 times. But it has been a frustrating game so far for the Chelsea forward who has yet to test Joe Hart, Cesc Fabregas with Chelsea's best chance which flashed wide.

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Is Aguero the best?

Deadly Aguero

Opta: Since he made his Premier League debut, Sergio Aguero has scored more goals than any other player (79).

Reuters

Carneiro update

It seems apt now to give you an update on the Chelsea medical team, from the Telegraph's Jason Burt, via Twitter...

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Matt Moore:  Should've seen a string of Chelsea injuries coming #MCICHE#999whatsyouremergency#casualty

Antoine V:  Naive medical staff again for Chelsea, they're 1-0 down and Cahill has only lost 2 pints of blood... Mourinho will be livid!

Ben Dunbar:  If only you could have had a bet on Chelsea's medical team being heavily involved today

John Dunthorne: Oh to be a fly on the wall in that tunnel!  

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'An element of farce'

Phil McNulty

BBC Sport chief football writer at the Etihad

An element of farce as Manchester City's fans give a standing ovation to Chelsea's new-look medical team as they come on to treat Gary Cahill, complete with chants of "you're getting sacked in the morning" and ironic declarations of love for the absent Eva Carneiro. Just to add to the amusement (although Jose Mourinho will not be amused) Diego Costa sustains a head wound while Cahill is still receiving treatment - meaning a dash by City's medical team to treat the striker. Where is a doctor when you need one? Costa is now swathed in a bandage while Cahill has cotton wool stuffed up his nose. You couldn't make it up. ________________________________________

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HALF-TIME

Well, that ended in angry and borderline comic circumstances. It was inevitable that the football gods would make sure there was some sort of medical issue during the game considering what has happened this week. It was the cue, though, for Diego Costa to go all Hulk on us. He had to be dragged down the tunnel to prevent him sparking a full-on brawl, presumably with Fernandinho, whose elbow left him with a bandage on his bonce.

Aside from all that, though, City have been by far the best side and deserve to lead.

AFP/GETTY

Chelsea remain without Gary Cahill, who has had to change his shirt and have a couple of cotton buds shoved up his nose, and also Diego Costa, who now has a big bandage wrapped round his head, like Basil Fawlty after that moose head fell on him. It almost cost them as well, as David Silva nearly battles his way to a close-range shot. Chelsea are able to just keep him out.

PA

Now Diego Costa is on the ground after being clattered by a Fernandinho elbow. The City midfielder gets a yellow for the challenge. It has been a busy few minutes for the Chelsea medical staff, one of whom has to leave the still bloody Gary Cahill to see to Costa. Cue more City heckling. 

Mourinho stays stoney-faced. He's got bigger problems right now.

Reuters

Danny Mills

BBC Radio 5 live at the Etihad Stadium

I think Cahill might have been caught by Begovic. It doesn't look too serious. I've been reminded that his nose was broken in pre-season. Mangala should have scored. It was a glorious chance for City.

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'Good day for Aguero'

Five shots. Four on target. 91% passing accuracy. One goal. Yep, Sergio Aguero is having a good day.

Reuters

Eliaquim Mangala is in the action again, this time at the other end. He beats the onrushing Asmir Begovic to get his head on an Aleksandar Kolarov cross from the left but heads wide of the empty goal.

Gary Cahill took a clattering from his keeper in the process and is left with a bloody nose, prompting the Chelsea medical staff on to the pitch to huge applause from the City fans. "Sacked in the morning" is the chant. The cheeky scamps.

Getty Images

Eliaquim Mangala nearly undoes his good work in nicking the ball off Ramires on the edge of the box by gifting it back to Cesc Fabregas. Luckily for the City defender, the Chelsea midfielder pulls his shot wide of the target.

Chelsea free-kick mid-way inside the City half. Cesc Fabregas floats the ball into the box but it is to no-one and Joe Hart is off his line to claim. Chelsea have had so few opportunities to threaten. They can ill afford to waste chances like that.

Is there a doctor here?

'Mourinho must stem the tide'

Phil McNulty

BBC Sport chief football writer at the Etihad

There are only so many chances you can give a striker of Sergio Aguero's world-class calibre - and after four misses number five brought the inevitable goal. Manchester City have been all over Chelsea here and Jose Mourinho must uncover a way to stem the tide."

City again on the attack as Yaya Toure drives forward before the ball finds Aleksandar Kolarov via Raheem Sterling. The full-back's low cross takes a deflection into the side netting. City are unable to fashion anything from the corner as Chelsea defend well. This has been a serious test of the champions' back-line so far. It could easily have been breached more than once.

Goal map

Manchester City's goal map looks complicated but trust me..it wasn't. Wonderful finish from Sergio Aguero after a patient build-up by the hosts. Thoroughly deserved too on the evidence of the opening half an hour.

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Danny Mills

BBC Radio 5 live at the Etihad Stadium

It was an exceptional finish from Sergio Aguero. Four Chelsea defenders around him - he shrugged them off and slid the ball in just inside the post.

Reuters

Sergio Aguero has 10 goals in his last nine Premier League matches. He is a goalscorer supreme. He's not bad at supplying others either, as he proves with a pass for Raheem Sterling to blaze a shot over the bar from the edge of the box.

YELLOW CARD for Vincent Kompany

Diego Costa is felled and Vincent Kompany receives the game's first booking. It gives Chelsea a free-kick wide on the left, which is swung over and flapped at a bit by Joe Hart before City clear.

GOAL - Manchester City 1-0 Chelsea

Finally, Sergio Aguero finds his way through. David Silva finds the striker in the box and he shows supreme touch to control the ball, open up his body and steer a low shot past Asmir Begovic in to the far corner of the goal. It is nothing less than Aguero and his team deserve for their positive approach.

Reuters

Get Involved

Kieran: Incredible goalkeeping by begovic!! Courtois better watch out begovic is a world class keeper  

Kev: The really great teams of recent times terrified opposition with the players on the bench, don't feel that with these 2.

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Busy start for Begovic

No doubt who has been the busier of the two keepers so far. Asmir Begovic's touch map is on the right, Joe Hart's on the left.

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Contrary to some pre-game concerns this is a good game. It is very competitive - sometimes to the point of stretching the rules - currently being played out between one team on the assault and the other looking to keep them out. 

A good stat from our friends at Opta ...only David Ospina and Asmir Begovic kept a Premier League clean sheet at the Etihad last season. Begovic is determined to come away with another one.

Danny Mills

BBC Radio 5 live at the Etihad Stadium

It was almost an open goal. The ball hit Aguero rather than the player have time to see it properly.

Diego Costa is spoiling for a rumble. He deliberately blocks off Yaya Toure to concede a foul and is lucky not to be booked. He won't be so lucky in future if he keeps that up.

CLOSE!

Oh, Sergio! The City striker has been denied three times by Asmir Begovic but this time he has only himself to blame. John Terry misses his chance to clear a cross from the left from Raheem Sterling and Aguero - albeit surprised - has just the keeper to beat but pokes his shot wide. He could have had four goals already.

AFP/GETTY

'Begovic has made an outstanding start'

Phil McNulty

BBC Sport chief football writer at the Etihad Stadium

Asmir Begovic has made an outstanding start as he deputises for the suspended Chelsea keeper Thibaut Courtois. Manchester City's pace and invention in and around the area is causing real problems for Chelsea. Sergio Aguero has been denied three times by Begovic as City press, led by the movement of David Silva and Raheem Sterling with the Argentine as the spearhead."

Praise for the Blues from a Red

Fernandinho trips Diego Costa about 40 yards from goal and Chelsea have a rare chance to create something. Cesc Fabregas floats a ball in and Vincent Kompany heads away but Chelsea come again only for Nemanja Matic to head an Eden Hazard cross wide at the near post. Best chance for the champions so far.

Reuters

Danny Mills

BBC Radio 5 live at the Etihad Stadium

What a coup to get in Asmir Begovic for £8m. What a fantastic replacement for Petr Cech. He's kept them in the game. City could be 2-0 up.

Reuters

Danny Mills

BBC Radio 5 live at the Etihad Stadium

Chelsea have one or two problems down that left-hand side. They have no real cover at left-back.

Sterling in the thick of the action

Manchester City have started brightly and Raheem Sterling is in the thick of the action as his touch map from the opening 10 minutes tell.

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Begovic is earning his wage so far. Twice again he is called upon to deny City. Aleksandar Kolarov finds Sergio Aguero, who turns in the box and fires low but the keeper is down to block with one arm. He repeats the trick a minute later as Aguero strikes Jesus Navas' low cross first time.

The striker shows his respect with a high-five for the keeper. Begrudging respect I suspect.

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City are winning all the 50/50 challenges. Fernandinho slides in after a corner is cleared to keep an attack alive and only Asmir Begovic's alertness off his line prevents Sergio Aguero getting a chance at goal.

Reuters

Eden Hazard has a sniff in the City box but it is quickly snuffed out by a combination of the sliding Bacary Sagna and Fernandinho.

Reuters

It is all City at the start of this game. They pour forward again but the attack is ended after David Silva is adjudged to have fouled Branislav Ivanovic, much to the Spaniard's disgust.

Reuters

Opta: The reigning Premier League champions have only failed to win their opening two games of the following season once before - Man United in 2007-08. 

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Raheem Sterling has seen a bit of the ball in these opening stages. And has looked lively. He draws a foul from Ramires and City have a free-kick to deliver into the box. They do just that but Sergio Aguero is unable to steer Aleksandar Kolarov's cross towards goal.

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Get Involved

John Dykes:  Great start for Begovic, there are few better at one on ones and that'll do him no end of good confidence wise.

Cam Bam:  If Sterling plays as well as Swansea's Montero did last week against Chelsea, City could do very well

Join in the discussion by tweeting us using  #bbcfootball, text 81111 (UK only)  or go to the  BBC Match of the Day Facebook page

Ramires and Diego Costa get in the way of each other to end a Chelsea attack. Costa is appealing for something. Not sure what. A foul? Handball? Does it matter?

Reuters

City come again through Raheem Sterling and then David Silva, who looks to set up Sergio Aguero, but the striker is denied a shot on the edge of the box by Cesar Azpilicueta, who clears over his own bar.

A foul in the box after the corner is delivered gives Chelsea a chance to breathe.

AFP/GETTY

Danny Mills

BBC Radio 5 live at the Etihad Stadium

We talked about it pre-match. Chelsea struggled with those little runs from behind by Swansea's Bafetimbi Gomis last week. Did it come too early for Sergio Aguero?

Reuters

CLOSE!

What a start from City. They should be 1-0 up. David Silva plays Sergio Aguero in on goal but Asmir Begovic makes a superb block before Jesus Navas fires across the face of goal. Maybe a bit of rustiness from Aguero there, so early in the game.

That will fill Begovic with confidence, though, on his first start for Chelsea.

Reuters

Get Involved

Marcus Donkor:  Light blue versus deep blue. Who will leave the other feeling blue?

Zred:  There will be at least 4 goals in this game! It will be a thriller, City to win it

Shaun Mahoney:  If City can't fill their stadium, then how shall they fill an expanded Etihad?

Join in the discussion by tweeting us using  #bbcfootball, text 81111 (UK only)  or go to the  BBC Match of the Day Facebook page

KICK-OFF

Chelsea get us under way.

John Murray

BBC Radio 5 live commentator

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho was stood there on the pitch on his own during the warm-up. Mourinho then went to all his coaches and the medical people and they all walked off the pitch together.

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You have to say, all that steel has not gone to waste. The new South Stand at the Etihad is an impressive sight. If the City fans in there get going it could send out a proper din.

EPA

'On last weekend's displays, City are favourites'

Guy Mowbray

BBC Match of the Day commentator

"Last season's corresponding fixture came too soon to be a blockbuster, and this being even earlier feels something of a waste. On last weekend's displays, City are favourites. Their performance at West Brom was magnificent and Vincent Kompany's goal celebrationsand post-match words outlined a point to prove to those who've written them out of title contention. Some will have already changed their minds! Overshadowed by 'medicgate', Chelsea were a level down from their best against Swansea. They'll have to be better to get the point Jose Mourinho would gladly take here. If they don't, he might need a doctor."

Chelsea's last 10 at City

Phil McNulty

BBC Sport chief football writer

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"Jose Mourinho looking like a man who means business as he walks on to the pitch at The Etihad to inspect his team's warm-up - then a moment of relaxation as he signs autographs and poses for pictures with Manchester City fans."

Joe Hart is bellowing encouragement in the tunnel. "Get on that ball!" he shouts. Get yourselves ready. Kick-off imminent.

A good month for Chelsea

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City steel themselves for success

Phil McNulty

BBC Sport chief football writer

Not just ambition on the pitch for Manchester City - today sees the opening of The Etihad's new South Stand expansion, which will take capacity up by 8,000 to just over 55,000. For those interested in that sort of thing, 3,010 tonnes of steel was used - in other words a lot.

City continue to grow

Today sees the first Premier League use of the newly-expanded Etihad Stadium, with an extra 8,000 or so seats having being added to the South Stand...

Begovic in at the deep end

This is going to be a big afternoon for Asmir Begovic. The summer signing from Stoke will take over between the sticks for Chelsea in place of Thibaut Courtois, who serves a one-match ban following his sending off against Swansea.

Begovic was first choice for the Potters last season, so is a perfectly able understudy, but a high profile, high pressure fixture like this is something new to the 28-year-old. Regardless, City are sure to want to test him out early on.

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Danny Mills

BBC Radio 5 live at the Etihad Stadium

"I think we'll see the very good Vincent Kompany this season. He had defensive partners that didn't help him last season. He was trying to do a job-and-a-half at times. He also struggled with injuries too."

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Get Involved

Brandon, MCFC fan:  Have a gut feeling we will beat Chelsea today. 2-1, Aguero and Silva, Falcao to come off bench and get one for Chelsea

Darren Lee Burton:  this mcfc v cfc has got a draw written from the start I'm afraid

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City passing the test

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City come out swinging

City's 2014-15 campaign was a damp squib by their own recent high standards, but they ended the season on fire, winning six on the trot and averaging three goals a game to claim second spot.

Last weekend's dominant 3-0 win at West Brom continued this run, showcasing a return to form for Yaya Toure, a fine display from David Silva and an encouraging bow from £49m signing Raheem Sterling.

Like any decent beaten heavyweight, they have climbed off the canvas, dusted themselves down, waited for the wounds to heal, hit the gym again and come out swinging.

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'I always shake hands with him'

Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini: "I said the first day I arrived here I have my differences with him [Jose Mourinho] but... I always shake hands with him."

"We are not thinking about the title in the second game but we are thinking about trying to win our points at home, especially as we are playing against the champions and one of the teams that has a lot of chances to win the title."

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'It is an eternity...'

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho: "We are speaking about 38 matches. It is an eternity, a marathon that started last week."

"I cannot say [this match] is not crucial, I cannot say it's not very, very, very important.

"They are title contenders so three points are important, but I cannot say that a win will mean anything significant."

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A vital fixture?

So, just how important is this match in the context of the title?

It is only the second round of matches, so to frame it in any way decisive terms is ludicrous. After all, 36 matches is quite a long time to make up any lost points to a near rival.

However, psychologically, landing a big early punch can go a long way. From Chelsea's point of view a win will reaffirm the domination of last year but, for City, victory would show they mean business again and plant that tiny seed of doubt in the mind of the champions. 

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Get Involved

Gerrardinho:  We will see a Sterling display alright! But it won't be a sterling one from Raheem (If you catch my drift)

Princewill Nwosu:  What will @Cuadrado do to get in the @Chelsea first team. Another good player being wasted on the Chelsea bench.

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Who has the edge?

Eight points separated these two last season as Chelsea set off like a train and romped to the title and Manchester City ended a disappointing campaign with a sprint-finish past Arsenal to claim second.

However, it is City who have hit the ground running this campaign, winning convincingly at West Brom after 10-man Chelsea had stuttered at home against Swansea.

Would it be going too far to suggest this makes City favourites for this afternoon's match? I suspect Jose would be very happy to go along with that.

Gett

Medic!

Phil McNulty

BBC Sport chief football writer

Cheeky boy. This Manchester City fan has come dressed as a medic and is taking his seat close to Jose Mourinho's technical area. Will Jose be amused?

Phil McNulty

'We want to send out a message'

Obviously we want to send out a message. But you cannot say if we win this game that we will win the title or if Manchester City win they will win the title. Last season we played two games with them and there were two draws - both 1-1. Both teams respected each other in both games. We have a plan and hopefully we will play our game the way we want to."

Cesc FabregasChelsea midfielder speaking to Sky Sports

@ChelseaFC

Get Involved

So, who do we think is going to be the main man in this fixture? Will Aguero make a triumphant return? Are going to see a Sterling display from Raheem? Will Hazard send out a warning to the league? Or is Yaya going to carry on where he left off at the Hawthorns? Why not get in touch and let us know your thoughts on Twitter ( #bbcfootball ) or text ( 81111 UK only ).

'Aguero is 100% fit'

It’s very important we play a tactical game. They have good technical players in attack and we must work very hard to recover the ball. Aguero is 100% fit. He has no problem and has been working for around 20 days now. Maybe the last game was too soon but now there are no problems. The key is not to lose the ball because Chelsea are fast on the counter-attack. We have to try and score the chances we have."

Manuel PellegriniManchester City manager

Sunday stroll for Jose?

BBC Sport

'We have to keep a clean sheet'

I see a big game...the champions against the former champions. It's two candidates for the title but it is the second fixture of the season and there are 36 matches still to go after this. The reality is the winner gets three points and stops a direct opponent from getting three points.To win this game we have to defend very well, we have to keep a clean sheet."

Jose MourinhoChelsea manager speaking to Sky Sports

'First meeting of the superpowers'

Phil McNulty

BBC Sport chief football writer

The first meeting of Premier League superpowers this season and it comes after the well-chronicled differences between Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho and his medical team. Manchester City have had no such problems after a smooth 3-0 win at West Bromwich Albion on Monday - and the fans in the newly-extended Etihad Stadium (with capacity increased to more than 55,000 with the new South Stand expansion) will get to see £49m buy from Liverpool Raheem Sterling make his home debut.

50 up for Cesc

LINE-UPS - Chelsea

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Silva lining

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LINE-UPS - Manchester City

BBC Sport

Breaking City team news

Good news for City. Striker Sergio Aguero is back in the starting line-up. He replaces Wilfried Bony.

Oscar injured

We started the season with Oscar in the team and we started the week with Oscar in the team. But he had an injury, not a big one but it stops him playing today and probably next week, so we had to make a change."

Jose MourinhoChelsea manager speaking to Sky Sports

Breaking Chelsea team news

We already knew Chelsea would be without suspended goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois - meaning a first start for Asmir Begovic - but they are also missing midfielder Oscar, due to injury. As a result, Ramires comes in.

Focus on the football

It would be fair to say that Chelsea have not enjoyed a great week on the PR front. 

The reigning champions have staged something of a drawn-out acrimonious re-imagining of Carry On Doctor, with manager Jose Mourinho playing Sid James' role as a snarling, arm-waving antagonist. 

The whole 'medicgate' affair has overshadowed an average start to the season for the Blues - that 2-2 home draw with Swansea - and the build-up to what is a huge clash at their nearest challenger from last season, Manchester City. 

Apologies of you came here for a recap of all the week's medical-themed shenanigans, but I'm going to focus solely on the football.

PA