Karma

The real comedy came just before half-time, when Gary Cahill picked up a real injury in a collision with Asmir Begovic in attempting to deny Eliaquim Mangala a header on goal. The Chelsea defender stayed down, the medical staff came running on, unrecognisable from the pair that started the season at Stamford Bridge last week, and the City crowd had a field day. First “You’re getting sacked in the morning” rang around the ground, inevitably followed by “You don’t know what you’re doing”, before an impromptu chorus of “We love you Eva” was added for good measure.

Mourinho poured scorn beforehand on suggestions his players might be distracted by the events of the past week, though there must be legitimate concern now about the dimensions of this sorry saga and how it might possibly end. It has assumed a life of its own and is growing uglier by the day, though naturally the City fans enjoyed the sight of Chelsea going down to nine men for a second successive game when Fernandinho elbowed Costa in first-half stoppage time. The striker ended the half with a bandage around his head, and none too happy about it. With Cahill still receiving treatment on the sidelines, Chelsea’s already stretched medical staff did not know which way to run. At least play was stopped this time and the medics could attend to the players without having to worry about understanding the game.

Paul Wilson at the Etihad Stadium

Sunday 16 August 2015