Wayne Bridge got his revenge on John Terry as Manchester City dented nine-man Chelsea’s title challenge with a stunning 4-2 win at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.
While Chelsea stumbled, third placed Arsenal closed the gap to three points with a dramatic 3-1 win at 10-man Stoke.
After snubbing Terry’s offer of a handshake during the pre-match greeting between the teams, Bridge — who this week quit England duty as a result of Terry’s alleged affair with his ex-girlfriend Vanessa Perroncel — played his part as City handed Chelsea their first home defeat in 38 games.
PHOTO: AFP
Frank Lampard put the Premier League leaders ahead in the 42nd minute but Carlos Tevez equalized in first half stoppage-time following mistakes from Terry and goalkeeper Hilario.
Craig Bellamy struck for the visitors in the 51st minute with a shot from a tight angle that Hilario should have saved.
Tevez scored his second from the penalty spot after Juliano Belletti was sent off for fouling Gareth Barry in the 76th minute, then Michael Ballack was dismissed in the closing stages.
Bellamy rubbed salt into Chelsea’s wounds with the fourth in the 87th minute before Lampard’s 90th-minute penalty reduced the deficit.
Chelsea remain just one point ahead of Manchester United, while City go above Tottenham into fourth place.
“Wayne Bridge has been playing well and this team has a fantastic spirit and for this reason we won this game,” City manager Roberto Mancini said
Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti said: “It was not a good day. The only good thing is that we still have one point more than Manchester United.”
“We have more chance to win the title than either them or Arsenal because that is what the table says,” he said.
At the Britannia Stadium, Arsenal trailed Stoke in the eighth minute when Ryan Shawcross flicked on Rory Delap’s long throw for Danny Pugh to tap-in.
Nicklas Bendtner equalized for the Gunners in the 32nd minute with a towering header from Fabregas’ cross.
The match was overshadowed by Shawcross’ dismissal for a late tackle on Aaron Ramsey midway through the second half that appeared to break the youngster’s leg.
Players from both sides looked stunned as the Welsh midfielder was stretchered off with an oxygen mask in an incident that brought back memories of the horrific injury suffered by Arsenal’s Eduardo in 2008.
But Arsenal regained their composure and Fabregas struck from the spot in the 90th minute after Pugh handled Bendtner’s pass, then Thomas Vermalen added a third goal from close range.
Beleaguered Portsmouth finally had something to celebrate as the Premier League’s bottom club claimed a 2-1 win over fellow strugglers Burnley at Turf Moor.
Avram Grant’s team are set to be hit with a nine-point penalty after becoming the first Premier League club to go into administration on Friday, meaning this result is unlikely to save them from relegation.
But Pompey haven’t thrown the towel in yet. They took the lead in the 25th minute when Frederic Piquionne slotted home Danny Webber’s pass.
The hosts were level six minutes later as Martin Paterson produced a sublime chip over Portsmouth goalkeeper David James.
Jamie O’Hara had a chance to restore Portsmouth’s lead when Clarke Carlisle gave away a second-half penalty by fouling Piquionne, but Brian Jensen saved his spot-kick.
However, Carlisle conceded another penalty in the 76th minute with a foul on John Utaka and Hassan Yebda made him pay with a cool finish.
Portsmouth’s Ricardo Rocha was sent off in stoppage time but Burnley have now lost seven of their last eight games.
“The fans should not be victims in this scenario. Of course we should not be docked nine points. All my life I have been fighting for justice and in the interests of fair play, we need football to be decided on the field,” Grant said.
Bolton moved out of the drop zone after Zat Knight’s first goal for the club sealed a 1-0 victory against Wolves at the Reebok Stadium.
Birmingham’s bid for a Europa League place was boosted as James McFadden’s first half penalty earned a 1-0 win over relegation-threatened Wigan at St Andrews.
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