Slick City make big statement

MANCHESTER City ravaged Chelsea to send out a strong title message.

Manuel Pellegrini’s men thrashed the reigning champions 3–0 at the Etihad Stadium with goals from Sergio Aguero, Vincent Kompany and Fernandinho.

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho claimed the scoreline was “fake”, but his side was outplayed to the extent that influential skipper John Terry was substituted at half–time.

Aguero had already had four good chances — three of them saved by Asmir Begovic — before he opened the scoring in the 31st minute as City moved up a level even from Monday’s impressive win at West Brom.

The result piled on the problems for Chelsea after a turbulent week dominated by the fall–out from Mourinho’s row with two of his medical staff. They have just one point from their opening two games and already trail City by five in the Barclays Premier League.

City manager Pellegrini dismissed Mourinho’s complaints, claiming his side should have won even more convincingly.

The Chilean said: “I am very satisfied because it is not easy to beat the champions. It was a great performance. I think our team played better and 3–0 is the minimum we deserved.”