Five star Gunners make sensational comebackArsenal 5 (Sagna 40, Van Persie 43, Rosicky 51, Walcott 65, 68) Tottenham Hotspur 2 (Saha 4, Adebayor (pen) 34)

Harry Redknapp's CV took a real hit today as Arsenal produced a sensational comeback to inflict Tottenham's biggest north London derby defeat since 1978. Spurs looked certain to enhance Redknapp's England credentials by making him their first manager for 86 years to win away against the Gunners for two successive seasons and first to do the double over them for 19.


But, in a complete reversal of last season's corresponding fixture, Tottenham threw away a two-goal lead to concede five at Arsenal for the first time since 1934. It was an amazing performance by a Gunners side who lost 8-2 at Manchester United at the start of the season and 4-0 at AC Milan 11 days ago, Arsene Wenger's men once again inspired by talismanic captain Robin van Persie.


Arsenal looked all over the place at the back as Spurs raced to a 2-0 lead through Louis Saha and an Emmanuel Adebayor penalty. But Van Persie refused to accept defeat, helping his side score twice in three minutes to go in level at half-time, netting the equaliser after Bacary Sagna pulled a goal back.


Arsenal - who leapfrog Chelsea back into fourth in the Premier League - were rampant after the break, Tomas Rosicky completing the comeback and Theo Walcott scoring twice before Scott Parker was sent off to complete Tottenham's misery.


It looked like being so different after four minutes when Arsenal's shambolic defending from Milan resurfaced. Former Gunners striker Adebayor, 28 today, played the ball into a gaping hole for Saha to run into, with Thomas Vermaelen's lame block only succeeding in deflecting the Frenchman's shot over the stranded Wojciech Szczensy.


The home side fought back, Kieran Gibbs seeing a dubious penalty appeal rejected and Parker getting away with an accidental handball. It was breathless stuff and Szczensy beat away another Spurs effort before Van Persie wasted a glorious chance to level when he drilled wide after his initial shot was blocked. He went even closer six minutes later with a drive that deflected into the sidenetting, his resulting corner seeing Brad Friedel acrobatically tip over Rosicky's header.


Arsenal were beginning to dominate but more risible defending almost saw Spurs double their lead on the break, Szczensy denying Adebayor and Kyle Walker sending the 25-yard rebound just over the crossbar. Parker, who was everywhere, was booked after clattering into Van Persie moments after being denied a free-kick of his own, with Luka Modric also carded for dissent.


Laurent Koscielny immediately followed for upending Niko Kranjcar, Tottenham immediately surging upfield to win a controversial 32nd-minute penalty. Gareth Bale was under all sorts of pressure from Gibbs but threw himself to the floor under what looked no contact from Szczensy. Adebayor kept his cool to rub salt into the wound but wisely chose not to celebrate.


Terrific turnaround
It could have been 3-0 before half-time had Bale chosen to pass rather than drill a shot too close to Szczensy and Spurs were made to pay when Arsenal sensationally hit back before half-time. The first goal came five minutes before the break, Van Persie desperately unlucky to hit the post before Mikel Arteta swept the ball back in and Sagna powered home a header. Van Persie then sent the Emirates into raptures, pouncing on a loose Benoit Assou-Ekotto clearance, and turning onto his left foot before curling deliciously beyond Friedel.


Redknapp responded by throwing on Rafael van der Vaart and Sandro at half-time for Saha and Kranjcar but Arsenal's tails were up and only another fabulous Friedel save from Yossi Benayoun's precise finish prevented them completing the comeback. Benayoun then caught Walker with a tackle that forced the full-back off and he was barely back on when Rosicky made it 3-2 in the 51st minute, playing a one-two with Sagna before poking in the latter's deflected cross.


Tottenham finally got a foothold but it was Arsenal who were now dangerous on the break, Walcott drilling inches wide, while Sandro was completely off the pace, rightly booked for tripping Van Persie.  As in the first half, the Gunners scored twice in three minutes to kill the game. It was a brilliant counter-attack that brought the 65th-minute fourth goal, Benayoun releasing Van Persie, who held off Ledley King and Younes Kaboul before squaring for the onrushing Walcott to clip the ball over Friedel.


It was Tottenham's defence that was now all over the place and Kaboul played Walcott onside, the winger racing onto Alex Song's pass and finding the bottom corner. "Harry for England", the Arsenal fans chanted ironically before Rosicky almost made it six after a one-two with Walcott and Parker was shown a second yellow for treading on Vermaelen's toe two minutes from time.

Mackems title charge halted by HenrySunderland 1 (McClean 70) Arsenal 2 (Ramsey 75, Henry 90)

Thierry Henry's stoppage-time winner handed Martin O'Neill his first home defeat as Sunderland manager.


Arsenal fell behind after defender Per Mertesacker injured himself in trying to control the ball, with James McClean firing a shot past Wojciech Szczesny.


Mertersacker was carried off but his replacement Aaron Ramsey then directed a shot past Simon Mignolet.
But on-loan Henry, who returns to the New York Red Bulls next week, stylishly volleyed past Mignolet to grab the win.


It was a remarkable conclusion to Henry's second spell with Arsenal in the Premier League, even more so given he had come on as a substitute for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and had just the one chance.


The Frenchman showed why he has scored 176 goals in 258 top-flight games in those two spells as he cleverly directed his volley past Mignolet after ghosting in between John O'Shea and Michael Turner to connect with Andrey Arshavin's cross from the left.


Just as importantly Henry's goal enabled Arsene Wenger's side to leapfrog over Chelsea into the fourth Champions League spot on goal difference.
Such a scenario had looked highly unlikely given McClean had put Sunderland ahead with just over 20 minutes to go.


McClean took advantage of Mertesacker's misfortune after the German injured his ankle as he attempted to control the ball, with the Sunderland forward blasting a shot into the corner of the net.


Mertesacker had to be carried off but within five minutes Arsenal were level after another of their substitutes Ramsey picked up the ball on the edge of the box and guided his shot past Mignolet.


Henry's late intervention might have ensured the first defeat for Sunderland under O'Neill at the Stadium of Light, but what was evident was the enormous strides the Black Cats have made under their new manager.


Sunderland expended enormous energy in trying to disrupt Arsenal's fluent style and, in McClean and Stephane Sessegnon, the home side had a couple of players with the speed and skill to always threaten Wenger's team.
Arsenal were also indebted to Szczesny who made a couple of good saves from Craig Gardner shots, while John O'Shea might have done better with a couple of second half-efforts.


In a scrappy first half, Sunderland had a strong penalty claim when the ball bounced off Mertesacker's hand.


Arsenal's best chance in the first period came from Theo Walcott, who flashed a shot past the post after good work from Oxlade-Chamberlain and Robin van Persie.


The two sides meet again in the FA Cup next Saturday, though at least Sunderland will not have to face Henry - who has now scored seven goals in 11 games against them.

Sunderland rule the Britannia Stoke City 0 Sunderland 1 (McLean 60)

Sunderland's impressive form continued as a strike from James McClean secured them a 1-0 victory and all three points against ten-man Stoke City at a wintry Britannia Stadium.


In a contest during which snow fell throughout, a first half of few goalscoring opportunities finished with Potters defender Robert Huth receiving his marching orders in the 45th minute. The German was shown a straight red card following a tackle on David Meyler.


McClean then netted in the 60th, bursting through the hosts' defence and tucking the ball away to seal a victory which means the Black Cats have now taken 22 points from the 30 on offer in the Premier League since manager Martin O'Neill took charge of the Wearsiders. O'Neill's side, who had been hovering just above the relegation zone when he was appointed in December, remain eighth in the table while Stoke have slipped to 12th.


Potters manager Tony Pulis made three changes to his first XI, forward Cameron Jerome and midfielders Glenn Whelan and Rory Delap replacing Kenwyne Jones, Wilson Palacios - who, like the ill Matthew Etherington, did not feature in the squad at all - and Dean Whitehead.


There was only one adjustment for the visitors, with Meyler promoted to the starting line-up and Fraizer Campbell dropping to the bench, while transfer deadline day loan signings Wayne Bridge and Sotirios Kyrgiakos were also among the substitutes.


The snow that had been falling in the build-up to the game - which was being cleared off the pitch right up until kick-off - continued to come down as the action got underway and it took a while for either side to really warm up.


Stoke enjoyed the lion's share of possession early on and, after Jerome was beaten to Peter Crouch's flick-on by Sunderland goalkeeper Simon Mignolet, the Potters won a corner that led to Marc Wilson trying his luck from outside the box, firing in a low effort which was blocked.


Mignolet then claimed a useful-looking cross into the area from Whelan, but there was little being fashioned in the way of genuine attempts on goal. Stephane Sessegnon started to show some endeavour for the visitors, seeing one shot deflect away from danger and, on the half-hour mark, drilling another narrowly wide.


It was Sunderland's best spell yet, but with conditions getting worse, it was difficult to build any momentum. Jerome, who had taken a knock, came off for Ricardo Fuller before Jon Walters brought a save out of Mignolet with a drilled shot. The first half then ended on a sour note for Stoke as Huth was dismissed for a sliding challenge on Meyler.


Pulis, incensed by referee Martin Atkinson's decision, reacted by substituting Jermaine Pennant for Jonathan Woodgate. Sunderland went close shortly after the interval as Sessegnon headed McClean's cross just over the bar.


At the other end, another Wilson long-range attempt looped up off a Black Cats shirt, but the visitors were looking to make their man advantage count and, 15 minutes into the second half, they took the lead.


Collecting the ball from Sessegnon, McClean powered forward and, having evaded Andy Wilkinson and Ryan Shawcross, slotted it past Thomas Sorensen. Delap tried to make a swift response but lashed a shot off target and, after Mignolet survived spilling a long throw from the midfielder, Walters put an effort high and wide.


Stoke continued to press, with Crouch's header being caught by Mignolet. The goalkeeper then got down to save an angled effort from Fuller. Wilson's deflected shot earned a corner towards the end, but it went unconverted as Sunderland emerged triumphant.

Mackems cage the Canaries in 3-0 rout Sunderland 3 (Campbell 21, Sessegnon 28, Ayala o.g 54) Norwich City 0

Sunderland moved up to eighth in the Premier League after ending Norwich's six-match unbeaten run in some style.
Fraizer Campbell, starting in the top flight for the first time since August 2010, opened the scoring with a superb right-footed volley from 25 yards.
Stephane Sessegnon started and finished a delightfully-worked second, heading in Campbell's perfect right-wing cross.
The Black Cats added a third soon after the break when Phil Bardsley's cross fizzed in off Daniel Ayala's knee.
How times have changed at the Stadium of Light since Martin O'Neill took charge in December.


Sunderland recorded only one win in their first seven home matches in the league this term but O'Neill has presided over four in the last five.
There had been little to choose between these teams in recent meetings, with 11 of the last 14 matches settled by the odd goal and the other three drawn.
But Paul Lambert's first managerial challenge against his former boss at Celtic was a one-sided affair, the Canaries unable to find any passing rhythm and Sunderland far sharper throughout.
Campbell, who returned after an 18-month injury lay-off to score the equaliser against Middlesbrough  in the FA Cup last weekend, forced Norwich keeper John Ruddy to push away his early header following a fine cross from the industrial James McClean.
Norwich had barely got out of first gear, and indeed would barely do so for the rest of the evening, but they might have taken the lead when Steve Morison flicked on a free-kick and Grant Holt hit a fierce volley on the turn. Fortunately for the home side, it was too close to goalkeeper Simon Mignolet to cause him serious difficulties.


But Campbell put Sunderland ahead in magnificent fashion, controlling a high ball neatly and unleashing a fabulous shot that soared over Ruddy into the corner of the net. It was the former Manchester United striker's first Premier League goal since April 2010.
Sunderland, slick, creative and full of confidence going forward, and well-organised defensively, fashioned a magnificent second.
Sessagnon nutmegged Bradley Johnson in the centre circle, sprayed the ball wide to Campbell on the right-flank, then darted into the six-yard box to head home the inviting first-time cross.
The intrepid 800-strong band of Norwich supporters who had made the 510-mile round trip needed something inspirational from their side in the second period, but another rapid Sunderland break ended their chances of anything to celebrate.


An intricate one-touch passing move on the right freed Bardsley and his cross from the byeline flicked off Ayala's knee into the net off the underside of the bar.
Norwich made a double substitution and one of the new arrivals, Anthony Pilkington, delivered a perfect left-wing cross for Morison but his header was fractionally wide and there were to be no further chances for the visitors.
Eight minutes from time Sunderland were able to give a debut to new loan signing Wayne Bridge, whose last Premier League appearance was against them for West Ham in the final match of last season.
Bridge received a warm ovation from the home fans, buoyed by an impressive performance from their team, who have lost only two matches in O'Neill's 11 in charge.

Champions Season So Far

Sunderlands 2-0 win at the weekend against a Swansea City full of confidence after their own 3-2 win at home to Arsenal shows just how far the Mackems have come in the past few weeks since the arrival of Martin O'Neill at the Stadium Of Light.

Ask any Sunderland fan and they to a man would agree if the men in charge had stuck with previous manager Steve Bruce then they may well have found themselves either relegated or a season of fighting for survival.

Bruce was never a fans favourite, probably due to his Newcastle roots but the Sunderland faithful stuck with him just to see if their side was going to improve on last seasons 10th place finish.
With the arrival of some 11 new signings things were looking good with some fans even dreaming of a place in Europe but as the season got under way it soon came to the fore that Sunderland weren't heading to Europe next season, but maybe Doncaster!!!

They started the season of with a draw against Liverpool but then they lost to their main rivals Newcastle and really from that moment their season seemed to go from bad to worse leading to Bruce's sacking on November 30th.

Within a week owner Ellis Short had found the man to take the team forward. Northern Ireland's Martin O'Neill. The former Wycombe Wanderers, Leicester City and Celtic (whom he supported as a boy) manager took over and declared he was over the moon taking over the other club he supported and in his 9 games in charge he's won 6 and lost 2 propelling the Mackens up the table to 10th place and rekindling the supporters hopes of a place in Europe.

Things are looking good at the Stadium of Light. The players are playing for the manager, the fans are returning and the victories are coming one after the other. Could they still achieve a place in Europe this season, lets wait and see.

Sunderland continue fine form and claim titleSunderland 2 (Sessegnon 14, Gardner 84) Swansea City 0

Two sublime goals extended Sunderland's renaissance under Martin O'Neill and ended Swansea's four-game unbeaten run.


Stephane Sessegnon found the top-right corner from the left side of the penalty area to put Sunderland ahead.


Sebastian Larsson had earlier struck the Swansea post, before Scott Sinclair wasted the visitors' best chance by firing over from six yards.


Swansea dominated without threatening and Craig Gardner's late 25-yard volley wrapped up victory.


The substitute's clincher five minutes from time was a rare effort on goal from Sunderland, who hardly threatened after Sessegnon's opener.


But Swansea's inability to offer a cutting edge on their travels was again evident, with home keeper Simon Mignolet troubled only twice, consigning Brendan Rodgers's side to a seventh away defeat in 11 games.


The victory moves Sunderland above Swansea into 10th place as O'Neill collected his 10th point from a possible 12 at home since taking over.


Sunderland's opener came as a breathless opening 15 minutes ended with a moment of genuine quality.


After a quick exchange of passes with James McClean down the left flank, Sessegnon opened up his body to curl an unstoppable effort into the top right corner.


The precise strike was too good for Swansea goalkeeper Michel Vorm, who had earlier deflected Larsson's volley on to the foot of the post.


Swansea, basking in the plaudits of their 3-2 win over Arsenal last Sunday, also threatened in the opening exchanges.


Sunderland defender Wes Brown, back after a three-game injury absence, denied Nathan Dyer with a well-timed last-ditch tackle, before Phil Bardsley followed suit to stop Scott Sinclair on the opposite flank.


Sinclair was guilty of wasting a glorious chance when he blasted over from barely six yards from Dyer's low cross.


The visitors went on to dominate the rest of the half, with Gylfi Sigurdsson slotting seamlessly into the Swansea midfield as he made his first start.


His far-post cross gave Danny Graham a great chance to level, but the striker failed to keep his header down.


Despite Swansea's dominance of possession, Sunderland stopper Mignolet was not tested until the 57th minute when he palmed away Sigurdsson's free-kick.


The home crowd grew impatient as Sunderland struggled to find any cohesion, but the Black Cats suddenly came to life in the final 15 minutes.


Sessegnon headed wide from McClean's inviting cross, before Vorm needed to be alert as he rushed out to beat Connor Wickham to the ball at the edge of the box.


Wickham wasted a glorious chance to seal victory when he fired wildly wide from close range, but the points were secured when Gardner struck.


The substitute controlled Sessegnon's crossfield pass on his chest before sending a dipping 25-yard volley into the top corner.

Champions Transfer Window Update

Its fair to say the January Transfer Window is a usual quiet affair but one team that hasn't been quiet are the current Unofficial Premier League Champions Swansea City.


As the enter the last few weeks of the window Swansea have signed four new players, the most out of all Premier League sides and as yet no-one has left the Liberty Stadium.
So who has Brendan Rodgers signed?

First deal was actually completed in August when Swansea signed Darnel Situ from French side Lens.
Situ agreed terms on August 31st but there was complications with the deal and the 19 year old defender didn't receive international clearance in time for the £250,000 to be completed. Lens did however agree to loan the defender to Swansea up until the reopening of the transfer window and then on January 10th the deal was completed. Situ is still waiting to make his debut for his new club and will be hoping to make an impression in 2012.

Icelandic International Gylfi Sigurdsson was next to join the Swans. The Hoffenheim midfielder has agreed to join the club on loan for the rest of the season after falling out of favour from his current club. Its not known whether this could lead to a permanent deal in the future but the midfielder has already made his mark when coming on as a substitute to set up the winning goal in Swansea's 3-2 victory over Arsenal on January 15th.

Rodgers headed home for his next signing when he snapped up prolific striker Rory Donnelly from Northern Ireland outfit Cliftonville. The 19 year old scored 20 goals in his 49 appearances which lead to Swansea making a £100,000 bid. Everton soon started sniffing around meaning Swansea upping their bid and signing the promising striker on 10th January.

Finally, the most recent new comer to the Liberty Stadium see's Chelsea midfielder Josh McEachran joining on loan until the end of the season. The highly rated midfielder has made 11 appearances for the Blues and has been sent out on loan by Andre Villa-Boas to gain some valuable Premier League experience. The way he likes to play seems perfectly matched to the way Swansea play so this could be the perfect match, although with Swansea flying high in the Premier League at the moment its a wonder whether Josh will break into the squad!!!!




As I say Swansea have been busy in the market but what do we make of the signings? Well Sigurdsson has already made his mark in the starting line up and with the addition of McEachran Swansea have a midfield full of talent, as for Situ and Donnelly I can't see them making much of an impression at the Liberty Stadium and I wonder whether these are signings "for the future"

Swansea keep title in five goal thrillerSwansea City 3 (Sinclair 16, Dyer 57, Graham 70) Arsenal 2 (van Persie 5, Walcott 69)

Swansea City dashed Thierry Henry's hopes of a dream return to the Premier League as they struck a blow to Arsenal's top-four ambitions with a 3-2 win at the Liberty Stadium.


Robin van Persie had given the Gunners an early lead only for a Scott Sinclair penalty and a Nathan Dyer strike to swing the contest in Swansea's favour. Theo Walcott levelled for Arsene Wenger's side in the 69th minute, soon after Henry's introduction as a substitute for his 255th English top-flight appearance, yet the visitors were left stunned a minute later when Danny Graham fired in the winner.


Arsenal could have few complaints with the outcome, though, after a sub-standard display which means they remain four points adrift of fourth-placed Chelsea in fifth position. They have now suffered back-to-back league defeats and this was a painful reintroduction to the division for French striker Henry, five years after he left Arsenal to join Barcelona.


Mikel Arteta was a notable absentee for the Gunners after picking up an injury in training, while their injury crisis at left-back meant Ignasi Miquel earned his first Premier League start.


Swansea made four changes from the team which defeated Barnsley in the FA Cup last weekend, yet they found themselves trailing within five minutes following the Gunners' first serious attack.


Welsh midfielder Aaron Ramsey, back in his native country, and Alex Song combined to feed Andrey Arshavin, whose threaded pass set Van Persie away and he did the rest, fooling Steven Caulker with a dummy before squeezing a vicious low shot inside the near post.


After scoring 35 goals in 2011, it was the Netherlands international's first of the new year having recently been given time off by Wenger. However, the Swans were handed an opportunity to level matters from the penalty spot just 12 minutes later when Dyer turned sharply inside the area before tumbling under contact from Ramsey.


Gunners goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny guessed the right way but Sinclair's strike was precisely placed into the bottom corner. Arsenal squandered a good chance when Van Persie went through on goal, yet this time he was foiled by Michel Vorm, who stood up superbly to narrow the angle.


The Gunners fans chanted Henry's name when he emerged from the dug-out to warm-up as they signalled their desire to see their hero make his much-anticipated Premier League return. They certainly needed inspiration from somewhere as Swansea twice threatened with long-range strikes from the impressive Dyer and Joe Allen.


And it was those two who combined to put Brendan Rodgers' team in front in the 57th minute. Allen dispossessed Ramsey and squared the ball to Dyer, who steadied himself before unleashing a sweetly-struck shot beyond Szczesny.


It was not long before Henry and Tomas Rosicky were introduced for the disappointing Arshavin and Yossi Benayoun and by the 69th minute Arsenal were level. Johan Djourou carved open the Swans defence to send Walcott clean through and he clipped the ball beyond Vorm.


The visitors' joy was to prove short-lived, though, as within a minute the Swans had regained the lead. Graham took advantage of some slack defending to clinically convert from a tight angle after good work from substitute Gylfi Sigurdsson.


Henry, back with Arsenal on loan from the New York Red Bulls, made an immediate impact with the winner on his return in Monday's FA Cup victory over Leeds United. Yet he was unable to register his 175th Premier League goal and inspire a turnaround this time as the Swans survived a flurry of late pressure to record a memorable triumph.

Swans take title off VilliansAston Villa 0 Swansea City 2 (Dyer 4, Routledge 47)

Swansea City deservedly claimed their first away win in the Premier League as Aston Villa's troubles at home continued. 


The Welsh side went ahead in the fourth minute when Stephen Warnock got in a mix-up and gave the ball straight to Nathan Dyer, who took it on before firing past Brad Guzan. Wayne Routledge then made it 2-0 shortly after half-time, pouncing when Danny Graham hit the post, to condemn their opponents to a fourth successive defeat at Villa Park.


The result brought Alex McLeish's team crashing back down to earth after their shock 3-1 win at Chelsea on New Year's Eve and sees them slip to 12th in the table, overtaken by Swansea, who are up to 11th after building on Saturday's 1-1 draw with Tottenham Hotspur with another impressive performance.


As anticipated, Swans boss Brendan Rodgers refreshed his side again by making a host of adjustments from the Spurs game, restoring the likes of Graham, Leon Britton and Angel Rangel to the starting line-up. Villa's record signing Darren Bent, who had come off the bench to score against Chelsea after missing three matches with a thigh problem, came in for Marc Albrighton in what was the only change for the Midlanders.


Having finished 2011 on such a high, Villa made a terrible start to the new year as Swansea snatched an early lead following a blunder by Warnock. The defender needlessly lost possession in his own half and Dyer took full advantage, collecting the loose ball, driving into the box and firing a shot into the corner of the net.


The hosts looked to make a quick response, but Gabriel Agbonlahor appeared to be put off by his team-mate Bent as he headed Charles N'Zogbia's cross wide, and Swansea then went close to doubling their advantage, Andrea Orlandi given the space to advance before flashing a strike across Guzan's goal. Stephen Ireland saw an effort deflected behind and James Collins a header saved as Villa attempted to get back on level terms, but a cross-cum-shot from Dyer in between issued another warning at the other end.


Warnock suffered more embarrassment just before the half-hour mark as he was left for dead by Dyer, whose cut-back was met by Graham to bring a stop out of Guzan. N'Zogbia blazed a free-kick over the bar and Swansea were soon breaking forward again, this time Orlandi teeing up Graham, who sent his shot just wide. Villa struggled to muster much in way of reply and were grateful that the damage was not greater by the time the interval came.


Within just two minutes of the restart, though, the hosts had fallen further behind, with another error on their part playing a role. Guzan sent his goal-kick to a white shirt and the ball came to former Villa man Routledge, who burst forward, laid on a pass for Graham and then reacted swiftly when the striker hit the post, tucking away the rebound to register his first goal for Swansea.


There was no let-up, with Orlandi almost slipping in Graham, and Richard Dunne summed up Villa's frustrations when he shoved over Dyer, picking up a booking in the process. After N'Zogbia's shot was blocked and Dunne headed over, it was then the Villa fans who vented their anger, making their displeasure known at McLeish's decision to substitute Ireland for Albrighton.


Ciaran Clark tried to turn and shoot in the Swansea box, but the ball was taken away from him before he could pull the trigger. The visitors continued to threaten, with Dunne doing just enough to ensure Graham's shot could not trouble Guzan and the goalkeeper then managing to stop Joe Allen squeezing through.


N'Zogbia nearly pulled one back at the death, but his shot hit the goal frame and the boos rang out around the ground from Villa fans at the final whistle as another home loss was confirmed.

Villa victory see's Villians crowned ChampionsChelsea 1 (Drogba 23pen) Aston Villa 3 (Ireland 28, Petrov 83, Bent 86)

Chelsea's habit of conceding late goals returned to haunt them as a 3-1 defeat at home to Aston Villa saw them suffer the worst possible end to 2011. 


The expected signing of Gary Cahill cannot come quickly enough on the evidence of the final ten minutes today, which saw Villa exploit some horrible defending to snatch an unlikely victory, much as Arsenal and Liverpool had done earlier in the season. Stiliyan Petrov and substitute Darren Bent both scored in the final seven minutes, putting another nail in the Premier League title hopes of the Blues, who have now taken just three of the last 12 points on offer and have dropped out of the top four. 


Didier Drogba's penalty - his 150th Chelsea goal - had given the home side the lead but Stephen Ireland put his off-field problems behind him to equalise before the late drama. 


They had been boosted before kick-off by the news of Manchester United's shock home defeat to Blackburn Rovers as they sought to end a run of three straight draws and keep their fading championship hopes alive. They were immediately on the attack and James Collins stopped Juan Mata testing Brad Guzan from close range. 


But the hosts were soon grateful themselves when David Luiz did enough to prevent Gabriel Agbonlahor getting a clean header on Marc Albrighton's cross. Both sides began giving the ball away before Ireland wasted a great chance to slide in Albrighton, with Villa belying their recent run of one win in seven. 


But they shot themselves in the foot in the 22nd minute when Richard Dunne lunged in on Drogba and referee Mark Halsey awarded a penalty. Drogba stepped up to score straight down the middle, going level on 150 Chelsea goals with Roy Bentley and Peter Osgood, who is buried under the Shed End penalty spot. 


But as against Fulham on Boxing Day, the Blues conceded less than ten minutes after taking the lead. Charles N'Zogbia got to the byline and cut the ball back for Ireland, whose shot was blocked on the line by John Terry straight back to the midfielder, who slotted home his first goal for Villa and first for more than two years.


Terry was then booked for clattering into Agbonlahor on the halfway line, before Stephen Warnock threw himself forward to block Mata's shot. 


Chelsea started the second half as they did the first, Daniel Sturridge close to connecting with Mata's low cross. But Villa remained a threat and Collins almost inadvertently bundled home N'Zogbia's free-kick before Agbonlahor missed a glorious 53rd-minute chance on the break. 


The visitors burst forward after a Chelsea attack, perfectly exploiting a three-on-one to release Agbonlahor, whose finish was too close to Petr Cech. Villas-Boas threw on the axed Frank Lampard for Oriol Romeu four minutes later, moments before Agbonlahor dragged another chance wide. 


Mata almost conjured up a chance for Sturridge with some magical wing play, with the latter immediately replaced by Fernando Torres. The Spaniard, who had also been dropped, was desperately unlucky not to make an instant impact, crashing a 30-yard shot against the crossbar - possibly via a deflection. 


Ashley Cole had a handball appeal against Dunne waved away by Halsey, who did then book Carlos Cuellar for a robust tackle on Drogba. Chelsea then poured forward. Drogba fired Torres's through-ball wide, with Jose Bosingwa then replacing Paulo Ferreira for the final 15 minutes, the substitute immediately testing Guzan from 25 yards. 


Villa sent on Bent and Gary Gardner for N'Zogbia and Albrighton, but remained on the back foot until dramatically taking the lead seven minutes from time. Ciaran Clark was allowed to carry the ball forward and Petrov ran into what was mammoth gap between Terry and Luiz to clip the ball over Cech. 


Petrov limped off injured with Barry Bannan coming on, and it was game over three minutes later, Lampard's pass intercepted by Ireland, who burst forward and squared for Bent to beat the onrushing Cech. 


Chelsea were jeered off by their own fans, who will be hoping for much better in 2012.

Third draw on the trot sees Chelsea fall behind in title raceChelsea 1 (Juan Mata 47) Fulham 1 (Dempsey 56)

Chelsea's fading Premier League title hopes suffered a huge blow as Fulham hit back to earn a battling draw in a lacklustre west London derby.


Juan Mata put the hosts ahead after the break, cracking home a fine first-time shot from the edge of the box.


Fulham levelled when Bryan Ruiz easily beat Ashley Cole and found Clint Dempsey, who netted from close range.


Chelsea dominated possession and created a host of chances late in the game, but the visitors held on.


Raul Meireles and substitutes Didier Drogba and Florent Malouda each had two chances to secure maximum points after Dempsey's 56th-minute strike as the Blues laid siege to the Fulham goal.


However, Chelsea's late dominance was in stark contrast to a desperate first-half display which lacked urgency, quality and conviction.


Despite being pinned back in their own half for most of the final half-hour, Fulham were good value for a draw which leaves Chelsea 11 points below Premier League leaders Manchester City and Manchester United following the Boxing Day fixtures.


Misfiring £50m striker Fernando Torres, making his first Chelsea start in two months, once again failed to impress with another hit-and-miss display.


The Spaniard volleyed straight at goalkeeper David Stockdale after showing immaculate chest control from Mata's exquisite pass before the interval, and had a decent shout for a penalty ignored after the break.


But Torres continues to look a shadow of the player so often hailed as the best forward in the world during his Liverpool days.


The Cottagers frustrated Chelsea with a disciplined defensive display, and a line-up full of attacking talent broke with purpose to create as many decent chances as their hosts before the break.


Dempsey forced a fine save from Petr Cech with an awkward effort that bounced in front of the goalkeeper, and Moussa Dembele and Orlando Sa, who played up front on his own, also had efforts on goal.


At the other end Daniel Sturridge sliced a shot wide after being teed up by Torres, but Chelsea only sparked into life after half-time.


They went ahead when Mata found the corner of Stockdale's goal from 18 yards after Torres held the ball up.


Any hopes that it would be lay the platform for a much-needed convincing home win soon vanished when Ruiz did brilliantly to deceive Cole and Dempsey got in front of David Luiz to turn the ball home from close range.


At that point Andre Villas-Boas's side finally began to play with greater belief.


Sturridge saw a decent curling strike flicked over by Stockdale, and Malouda, on for the ineffective Frank Lampard, was unlucky not to score with a cheeky close-range backheel from John Terry's header.


Torres also had a shout for a penalty ignored as he tumbled on the edge of the area and Drogba shot straight at Stockdale from a tight angle.


Meireles then shot narrowly wide after a wonderful turn and had a header tipped over by the impressive Stockdale.


Drogba also had a free-kick tipped over in the closing seconds as Chelsea looked to avoid a damaging third consecutive 1-1 draw.


But Fulham were able to withstand the onslaught and earn the point they so craved following last week's home mauling by Manchester United.

Sturridge strike earns Chelsea draw at the LaneTottenham Hotspur 1 (Adebayor 8) Chelsea 1 (Sturridge 23)

John Terry played his part in an entertaining encounter as Chelsea survived an early Tottenham onslaught to earn a point at White Hart Lane.


Blues manager Andre Villas-Boas had no hesitation in selecting his captain 24 hours after Terry discovered he was being charged with racially abusing QPR defender Anton Ferdinand.


And despite being subjected to taunts throughout from Spurs supporters, the defender won prolonged backing from the visiting fans before throwing his shirt to them at the final whistle.


Emmanuel Adebayor gave the hosts an early lead as Harry Redknapp's side threatened to overrun Chelsea in their pursuit of Premier League pace-setters Manchester City and Manchester United.


The Blues stood firm and recovered to equalise through Daniel Sturridge before half-time - and were left frustrated as Didier Drogba struck the woodwork shortly after they levelled, then Ramires wasted two perfect opportunities in the second half.


Tottenham also posed a threat throughout, with Adebayor having a goal ruled out for a marginal offside decision and Gareth Bale and William Gallas also squandering opportunities.


Inevitably, it was left to Terry to have the final word as he blocked Adebayor's shot on the line in the dying seconds to ensure Chelsea earned a deserved draw.


The deadlock was not the ideal outcome for either side, but the result was fair. Spurs now stand seven points behind second-placed United with a game in hand, while Chelsea lie fourth.


Terry's name was met with a predictable chorus of jeering from the home fans as it was read out before kick-off, but Chelsea's supporters responded with loud backing for the England captain.


Spurs were delighted to be able to recall Bale after an ankle injury and it took only eight minutes for his importance to be graphically illustrated as he created the opening goal for Adebayor.


He ended a trademark surge down the left with a low cross that provoked a moment of hesitation from visiting keeper Petr Cech as he dived into the challenge with Adebayor, allowing the Togo striker to score.


Tottenham's pace and movement, particularly from Bale, saw Chelsea penned in and starved of possession, with manager Villas-Boas an agitated figure in his technical area.


The away side drew level against the run of play when Ashley Cole's cross was allowed to find Sturridge right in front of goal for a simple finish past the exposed Brad Friedel.


Chelsea were understandably encouraged by the lift of a goal and Drogba almost turned affairs around completely with a thunderous half-volley that crashed against the woodwork with Friedel well beaten.


Spurs had lost some of their early momentum but the Blues had to adapt as they lost Branislav Ivanovic and Jon Obi Mikel to injury before the break, with Paulo Ferreira and Oriol Romeu the replacements.


Redknapp was also deprived of a key figure for the restart as Rafael van der Vaart succumbed to a hamstring injury, giving Roman Pavlyuchenko another chance after scoring the winner against Sunderland at the weekend.


In spite of the changes, Chelsea made the better start after the interval as Friedel was forced to save twice in the space of seconds, first from Ramires as he raced through and then from Terry's header as he met the resulting corner.


Adebayor had the ball in the net again just before the hour, only to see the effort ruled out after the tightest of offside calls.


Spurs had been unable to get their main midfield orchestrator Luka Modric into the game in the manner they had at the start, but he almost made an impact from a set-piece as Sandro glanced a header wide.


Chelsea were not backing away from the battle though and Friedel was in action once more to clutch Sturridge's low shot at the second attempt, much to the frustration of the increasingly animated Villas-Boas.


As an entertaining encounter entered the last 10 minutes, Bale wasted an opportunity to restore Spurs' lead when he shot well over after being released by Modric's clever touch inside the area.


Cech then clawed away Sandro's deflected shot and Gallas turned Bale's cross inches wide at the near post as the hosts tried to regain their earlier supremacy.


The best chance came and went for Chelsea with four minutes left when Juan Mata's free-kick found Ramires completely unmarked in front of goal eight yards out, only for the Brazilian to direct a desperately poor header wide.


And, in a dramatic conclusion, Terry saved a point for Villas-Boas's side when he blocked Adebayor's shot on the line.

Chelsea remain Champions despite lackluster performance at WiganWigan Athletic 1 (Gomez 88) Chelsea 1 (Sturridge 59)

Jordi Gomez's late equaliser halted Chelsea's charge up the Premier League table and gave Wigan a vital point in their relegation battle.


The Latics felt they should have had a first-half penalty when Victor Moses' shot struck Branislav Ivanovic's arm.


Chelsea improved after the break and took the lead when Daniel Sturridge fired home from Ashley Cole's pass.


But Wigan refused to give up and denied the Blues victory when Petr Cech's fumble gifted Gomez a simple tap-in.


A point was exactly what Wigan deserved after refusing to be intimidated by Chelsea's lofty status, matching the Londoners stride for stride.


Sturridge's superb finish looked to have set Chelsea on course for their fourth straight league win, but Wigan continued to attack and boss Roberto Martinez's decision to bring on strikers Hugo Rodallega and Franco Di Santo proved inspired as the duo combined to set up Gomez's late goal.


The setback leaves Chelsea third in the table, six points behind leaders Manchester City, who host Arsenal on Sunday.


Wigan, meanwhile, are now just one point behind Wolves, who lost to Stoke, in 17th after picking up seven points in their last four games.


Indeed, the Latics began the game with the confidence of a team in good form and had an early penalty appeal turned down when Gomez went down in the box under Cole's challenge.


Chelsea slowly passed their way into the match, but chances were few and far between as Wigan defended with impressive resolve.


Unable to pierce the home side's rearguard, the Blues were restricted to shots from distance, with captain John Terry fizzing wide from 30 yards and Oriol Romeu cracking a low volley which Ali Al Habsi tipped around the post.


The best opportunity of the half went Chelsea's way five minutes before the break when Raul Meireles picked out Didier Drogba six yards out, but the striker's diving header went wide.


Then came the most controversial moment of the half, as Wigan were denied a penalty when Moses' drive hit Ivanovic on the arm.


Replays suggested the Serb moved his arm towards the ball to block the goal-bound effort, but referee Martin Atkinson remained unmoved.


Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas brought on Salomon Kalou at half-tim, and the Ivorian made an immediate impact on the left, getting to the byeline and cutting back for Drogba to fire into the side netting.


Wigan survived that scare but could not prevent the visitors from taking the lead through the consistently-impressive Sturridge.


Cole picked out the run of the England striker, who took one touch to control the ball with his left foot before drilling his fourth goal in five league games right-footed past Al Habsi.


Wigan desperately searched for a response. Maynor Figueroa fired in a shot that was destined for the bottom corner until Cech stretched out a hand to push it wide.


Then a sloppy backpass from Ivanovic gave substitute Rodallega a sight of goal. His effort was smothered by Cech, but the ball fell to Di Santo, whose shot was cleared off the line by Ivanovic.


Still the Latics poured forward and they gained their reward three minutes from time when Rodallega's shot was spilt by Cech straight into the path of the grateful Gomez.

City lose title as Lampard scores winnerChelsea 2 (Raul Meireles 34, Lampard (pen) 84) Manchester City 1 (Balotelli 2)

Frank Lampard's late penalty earned Chelsea victory and condemned leaders Manchester City to their first Premier League defeat of the season.


Lampard - once again excluded from Chelsea's starting line-up by manager Andre Villas-Boas - came off the bench to score the winner with seven minutes left after Joleon Lescott handled Daniel Sturridge's shot.


Mario Balotelli gave City a lead their early domination deserved but Chelsea forced their way back into contention through Raul Meireles's equaliser before half-time.


Roberto Mancini's side were reduced to 10 men early in the second half when Gael Clichy was sent off, leaving Chelsea to make the most of their numerical advantage and record a third win in succession to leave City with a two-point lead over neighbours Manchester United at the top of the table.


City will regret not putting the game out of reach in an imperious opening spell - but Chelsea demonstrated the resilience of old to survive that siege and emerge with a win that puts them only seven points off the Premier League summit.


Villas-Boas insisted Chelsea were showing signs of a revival after beating Newcastle United and Valencia following a torrid spell. This, however, was a serious examination of their recovery and they passed the test successfully.


And Lampard, pushed to the margins in the last two games, proved his character to step up under pressure in the closing minutes to convert that vital penalty. Villas-Boas revealed afterwards that Juan Mata had been the designated spot-kick taker, but after a brief discussion with the Spaniard Lampard took responsibility.


City's unbeaten league run came to an end after 15 games - now Mancini and his players must regroup ahead of Sunday's meeting with improving Arsenal at Etihad Stadium.


Chelsea made one enforced change, with Jose Bosingwa replacing the suspended David Luiz - while Balotelli was recalled to instant effect for City.
Sergio Aguero must take much of the credit with a turn that left John Terry trailing and a sublime pass with the outside of his right foot into the path of Balotelli. The young Italian may be turbulent elsewhere, but in the penalty area he is calmness personified, as he proved by dismissing the attentions of Branislav Ivanovic to round Petr Cech to score.


City were in command and should have doubled their lead after 14 minutes when Aguero brushed aside Bosingwa and wrong-footed Ashley Cole, only to drag his shot wastefully wide.


David Silva then appealed for a penalty when he fell under Bosingwa's challenge - but referee Mark Clattenburg waved play on while declining to punish the Spaniard for diving.
Chelsea, as much by force of will as any real superiority, dragged themselves into a game which had been completely in City's control and were rewarded with an equaliser 11 minutes before the break. Once again the goal owed almost as much to the creation as the finish, with the impressive Sturridge escaping from the toiling Clichy before crossing for the incoming Meireles to volley powerfully past City keeper Joe Hart.


Former Manchester City player Sturridge was one of Chelsea's leading lights on a stormy evening and he was only just off target with a rising drive a minute after the restart from Mata's free-kick.


City went down to 10 men just before the hour when Clichy, who had been booked early in the second half for fouling Sturridge, tripped Ramires to earn his second yellow card. It capped a miserable night for the defender, who had suffered in the face of Sturridge's pace and threat.
Chelsea, having been outplayed in the early stages, now sensed victory and Villas-Boas introduced Lampard with 17 minutes left in an attempt to make their numbers count.


Mancini appeared to have settled for a point by removing Aguero for Kolo Toure and sending on Nigel de Jong for Silva - but Chelsea were not to be denied.


And Lampard it was who put Chelsea in front with seven minutes left. There were few complaints from City after Sturridge's shot hit the raised hand of Lescott - leaving Lampard to drill the penalty straight down the middle before celebrating with the supporters behind the goal in the Matthew Harding Stand.

Cup draw pits Manchester rivals together

Today saw the eagerly awaited draw for the third round of the FA Cup (sponsored by Budweiser) and yet again there are some mouth watering clashes including the reigning Unofficial Champions Manchester City playing host to their city rivals Manchester United.
It'll give Alex Ferguson's men the chance to avenge their 6-1 defeat at Old Trafford in October and will also give Roberto Mancini's men the chance to announce themselves as the team to fear this season.
In the only other all Premier League tie form side Newcastle United will host Steve Kean's (correct at the time of typing) Blackburn Rovers.
Two non-league sides have been handed dream ties with Tamworth heading to Goodison Park and should Chelmsford City beat Macclesfield Town in their replay they will have the honour of hosting Bolton Wanderers.
Other ties to look out for will be Arsenal hosting Leeds United and also the London derby between Fulham and Charlton Athletic. (also my side West Ham United have to travel to Sheffield Wednesday)


All ties to be played January 7th


Ties involving Premier League sides are:


Manchester City v Manchester United
Tottenham Hotspur v Cheltenham Town
Chelsea v Portsmouth
Arsenal v Leeds United
Newcastle United v Blackburn Rovers
Liverpool v Southend United or Oldham Athletic
Gillingham v Stoke City
Bristol Rovers v Aston Villa
Everton v Tamworth
Norwich City v Burnley
MK Dons v Queens Park Rangers
West Bromwich Albion v Cardiff City
Barnsley v Swansea City
Birmingham City v Wolverhampton Wanderers
Fulham v Charlton Athletic
Peterbrough United v Sunderland
Chelmsford City or Macclesfield Town v Bolton Wanderers
Swindon Town v Wigan Athletic

Five star City batter CanariesManchester City 5 (Aguero 32, Nasri 51, Y.Toure 68, Balotelli 88, Johnson 90) Norwich City 1 (Morison 81)

Unbeaten Manchester City powered on at the top of the Premier League with a crushing 5-1 defeat of Norwich City at the Etihad Stadium this afternoon.
Sergio Aguero gave Roberto Mancini's men a half-time lead before Samir Nasri and Yaya Toure made certain and substitutes Mario Balotelli and Adam Johnson completed the rout. Norwich were outplayed for most of the game but did claim a consolation ten minutes from time with a Steve Morison header.
It was a quick return to winning ways for City after last week's draw at Liverpool and took their impressive league goalscoring tally to 48 after 14 games.
Mancini made eight changes after their midweek League Cup quarter-final win at Arsenal but defender Kolo Toure was retained ahead of Joleon Lescott. Nasri, making his third successive start, also kept his place and responded with an influential display, linking well with Aguero and David Silva throughout.
Edin Dzeko, the third City player to stay in the side after Tuesday, had the game's first opportunity after two minutes when he dragged a shot across goal from distance. 
Welsh striker Morison had a chance for Norwich early on when the ball bounced kindly for him on the left but he also missed the target. He failed to make the most of another opening when he raced clear in the tenth minute as Joe Hart came out to force him wide and Kolo Toure got back to clear.
After that scare, City began to step up the pressure with Dzeko getting in another attempt but having to settle for a corner. Aguero, who had earlier shot at Ruddy, then spurned a glorious chance when he volleyed over from seven yards from a Nasri cut-back.
Dzeko again had Norwich back-tracking when he nutmegged Russell Martin 40 yards out and charged to the edge of the box but Marc Tierney deflected his shot wide. City's opener eventually came, though, in the 32nd minute after Anthony Pilkington failed to cut out another Richards break.
Micah Richards closed in on goal and then pulled back for Aguero, who showed nimble footwork to turn past Leon Barnett and poke the ball through a crowded goal area to score his 13th of the season from six yards. Aguero could have had a second moments later after Yaya Toure won the ball in midfield and set up Nasri to cross but the former Atletico Madrid man again fired over.
Despite that home superiority, Norwich had a chance to equalise two minutes into the second half as Elliott Bennett chased a long ball. Bennett had chance to shoot but opted to go round the advancing Hart and took the ball too far wide, from where he could only shoot over.
Norwich paid the price for that miss as the impressive Nasri doubled the home side's advantage after 51 minutes, although it is doubtful the Frenchman meant it. Nasri got lucky when he floated a free-kick into the box from the left and the Norwich defence left it to run through to Ruddy. The goalkeeper was slow to react and was unable to claw it out as it bounced in front of him and crept in at the far post.
City immediately threatened a third as Silva cut in from the right but Ruddy made a fine double to keep out his shot and Aguero's attempt on the rebound. The resulting corner found its way to Gareth Barry but the English midfielder could not keep his shot down.
City's third came in the 68th minute as Nasri came short to play a one-two with Silva at a corner and the Spaniard fed Yaya Toure on the edge of the box. The midfielder nonchalantly allowed the ball to come across his body and curled in a low shot at the far post.
Nasri was removed moments later as Johnson was sent on and Mancini also decided to withdraw Aguero soon after. Balotelli, who was sent off against Liverpool, took his place.
Victory was all but a formality, but City, having conceded in their previous six league games, were again unable to keep a clean sheet as Norwich replied. Morison was the man on target, rising at the back post to plant a firm header past Hart from a corner.
The hosts restored a three-goal advantage two minutes from time as Yaya Toure played in Johnson, who turned to square for Balotelli in front of goal. Ruddy palmed out the Italian's initial effort but it looped up into the air and the striker calmly nudged it over the line with his shoulder.
There was still more to come and City added a more emphatic gloss to the scoreline in injury time as Johnson placed a low shot past Ruddy.

Lescott error gives Reds drawLiverpool 1 (Lescott o.g 33) Manchester City 1 (Kompany 31)

Ten-man Manchester City survived a serious examination of their title credentials to extend their unbeaten Premier League record to 13 matches with a 1-1 draw at Anfield.
Had it not been for goalkeeper Joe Hart the visitors may have tasted a league defeat for the first time since 7 May. They barely had time to celebrate Vincent Kompany's 31st-minute opener before Charlie Adam's shot was deflected in by Joleon Lescott.
In the second half, substitute Mario Balotelli lasted 18 minutes before being sent off for a second bookable offence and had English international Hart not been on top form City would have succumbed to sustained Liverpool pressure in the final 20 minutes.
Having coasted serenely through the domestic campaign, scoring goals at will, this was the first time this season Roberto Mancini's side had failed to score more than once in a league match. Credit must go to Liverpool who, after a slow start, enhanced their own reputation as genuine top-four contenders with a second-half performance which produced everything but a winning goal.
City may have previously won only once at Anfield in the last 30 years - and that came in May 2003 - but they played the first half like they were the home team. They passed the ball around with consummate ease, as they have done all season, with both Samir Nasri and David Silva threading threatening balls down the side of the two centre-backs.
Liverpool tried to employ the same high, pressing tactics which were so effective in last week's victory at Chelsea and it worked to some degree. For all City's neat passing and movement off the ball they did not really threaten and the closest they came was when they were given an opportunity by Jose Enrique's back-pass.
The Spaniard was obviously unsighted when he rolled a ball too close to Sergio Aguero but Jose Reina raced 15 yards out of his penalty area to first block and then, after the ball rebounded off the Argentinian back onto his arm, clear.
Aguero was doing his best to unlock what is becoming an increasingly frugal Liverpool defence and he twisted past Martin Skrtel and Daniel Agger with ease on the left of the area but bamboozled himself and lost balance. 
Ironically, considering the silky attacking skills at their disposal, the visitors took a 31st-minute lead from an old-fashioned corner routine. Silva swung in a left-footed cross and centre-back Kompany glanced a header into the far corner after marker Dirk Kuyt and Glen Johnson got in each other's way.
That is usually the key for Mancini's side to go into attacking overdrive but within two minutes they found themselves pegged back as indecision and a bad decision cost them. Kompany's weak clearance dropped to Kuyt who squared for Adam to unleash a left-footed drive which was heading wide until Lescott tried to clear and succeeded only in diverting past Hart.
If he was helpless to stop that shot the English goalkeeper showed his quality as he stuck out a leg to brilliantly divert Adam's right-footed shot over. Suddenly the momentum was with the Reds and Johnson, last week's match-winner, flashed a left-footed shot past Hart's right-hand post.
Reina saved low from Aguero in first-half added time but the open football continued after the break as Stewart Downing's cross ballooned up off Kompany and Kuyt's diving header missed the target. The languid, measured play of the first half had been replaced by a more frenetic approach after the break, evidenced by Hart's hurried punch to Downing's cross.
Hart did better with his England team-mate's shot into the turf from Adam's corner, tipping over just as the ball was about to dip under the crossbar. The increasingly manic atmosphere hardly needed enhancing but the arrival of Balotelli for Nasri did exactly that.
Right on cue the Italian produced a stumble, a fraction of a second after Skrtel had slipped trying to reach the ball, just when he was about to burst into the penalty area. 
Liverpool had steadily grown more comfortable over the course of the game and they had the momentum entering the final 20 minutes. Enrique and Downing shot wide before Balotelli's propensity for getting himself in trouble surfaced late on. Having been booked for pulling back Johnson, he was shown a second yellow card for catching Skrtel across the face.
Hart kept his side in it, though, with another good save at his near post from Luis Suarez before Silva over-complicated things in Liverpool's area having beaten Reina and Skrtel cleared off the line. But Hart was the one being worked the hardest and another brilliant one-handed save from Andy Carroll's header in added time preserved City's unbeaten start.