A battle of Fire - Man City Vs Chelsea

When Manchester City sauntered past West Brom at The Hawthorns last Monday,

it was as if the competitive season had yet to arrive. Today, Manuel Pellegrini’s next opponents are champions Chelsea, who endured a start nearly as chastening as the beating suffered by West Brom. Their 2-2 home draw against Swansea was modest, but a point arrived with some unsettling developments.

Thibaut Courtois’s dismissal for a rash challenge in his penalty area sees the goalkeeper suspended. And while Asmir Begovic is a competent standin, he lacks the Belgian’s commandeering presence. More worrying was the way in which full-back Branislav Ivanovic failed to contain the

incisive runs of Swansea’s Ecuadorian winger Jefferson Montero. Sterling

is still finding his feet at City, but he will have studied Swansea’s touchline charges with interest. Yaya Toure was imperious against West Brom following a lengthy break. At times last season he appeared jaded and lethargic, but the way he bullied Pulis’ midfield suggested a returning mojo; Toure’s strike – a 20-yard shot that arced into the top corner- was a training manual masterpiece.

It’ll be up to Nemanja Matic to shackle his movement, but he’ll have his hands full. On Monday, supported by a lively cast in Silva, Sterling and Jesus Navas, Toure was able to orchestrate City’s attacking intent with probing passes to the flanks.

The way he dictated tempo and possession – particularly in the first half – suggested City might look to play another devastating game of keep-ball, should Chelsea fail to stifle his motion.

Mourinho is adamant that he has no regrets over the club’s decision to sell goalkeeper Petr Cech, despite Courtois’s suspension.

“The problem with Petr is not that we miss him because we have two excellent keepers,” he said. “Thibaut and Asmir are two fantastic keepers. My club did very well by getting a keeper on time and not on August 31 because if my club gives me a keeper on August 31 then we have a problem not just for today but also for the next match.”

Like everyone else, Pellegrini was buoyed by Toure’s performance against West Brom. “I always said last season it was a strange season for Yaya; he started with a lot of problems, the death of his brother, his agents. I think he was not focused on what he had to do last year.

We spoke before the start of the season and I am very sure we will see the Yaya from two years ago. He is a very important player for us… it is very difficult for a player when you have so many problems.”