AS litmus tests go, this was just about as acidic as it gets.
Any City fans who thought their team was about to be a 'big four club' can forget the fanciful notion - at least for now.
Not that Sven-Goran Eriksson's side should be in any way written off in terms of claiming an end of season prize - for it is still not clear that there are half a dozen better sides in the Premier League than the Manchester Blues.
Indeed so startlingly bad was this performance, devoid of drive, work-rate and intelligence that it is easily explained away as a one-off.
Chelsea were awesome and City awful and that is the top-and-bottom of this contest.
Sven-Goran Eriksson had previously not put an elegantly-clad foot out of place since he arrived to take over the Blues but, in hindsight, he may have felt he got things tactically wrong at The Bridge.
It was a gamble asking Georgios Samaras to lead the line in place of flu victim Emile Mpenza. And with Martin Petrov and Stephen Ireland not offering much in the way of protection to the full-backs and Elano man-marked out of the game, the swashbuckling approach designed to bring glory only ended in footballing disaster.
A lesson was learned. Next time the Blues step out in a difficult away league game, Eriksson can be expected to be a tad more pragmatic with his selection.
City's devil-may-care approach certainly made Chelsea look better than they perhaps were, but there was tremendous post-match dignity from the two managers, whose demeanours will surely be more of a future help to their sides than a hindrance.
Last season, this contest pitted one of the most charismatic and controversial managers of the modern era in Jose Mourinho against one of the noisiest and most animated in Stuart Pearce.
Avuncular
Just 14 months on, it was Avram Grant against Eriksson, and if Chelsea had been thinking about laying new turf in the Stamford Bridge technical areas, then this would have been the perfect game to do it.
Phlegmatic Israeli Grant and avuncular Swede Eriksson have plenty of things in common - apart from the odd cup of tea with Russian oligarchs with the surname Abramovich - they are both from the 'no ranting and raving' school of footballing science and both like their teams to play with style.
This was in many ways a watershed game for City, who had been knocking over inferior rivals at home with the kind of efficiency and clinical style of a boxer beating up well chosen no-hopers on his way to a world title shot.
Chelsea, unbeaten at home for 68 matches over two-and-a-half years, were clearly the big test for a side whose away form had been at best patchy en route to third place in the table.
As it happens, they were too much of an examination for Eriksson's side, whose midfield could do little about the magnificent Frank Lampard or rock-steady Michael Essien and found the pace and power of Didier Drogba more than they could handle.
Eye-catching at West Ham and Arsenal, careless and carefree at Fulham and calamitous at Blackburn, City were ultimately out-thought, outfought and outclassed at Chelsea.
Joe Hart, playing his first Premier League game away from the comfort blanket of Eastlands, was beaten twice in the opening 31 minutes as Chelsea did to the Blues what they had done to Newcastle, Middlesbrough, and Villa.
The home side struck first in the 16th minute when Lampard's through ball found Essien in space and caught the Blues' defence looking for offside.
For once, Micah Richards' pace was not enough to save his side and the Ghana international scuffed a shot across Hart.
Far from lying down, City hit back almost immediately with first Martin Petrov's free-kick bringing a smart save from Petr Cech and then Richards' header cannoning off Juliano Belletti to safety.
Richards though was not enjoying his afternoon and as is becoming his trait, he got himself in an angry bout of push and shove and verbal jousting with an opponent, this time England team-mate Frank Lampard.
Both were booked and though Lampard could be aggrieved at referee Mike Riley, he soon had his revenge, showing up Richards' positioning with the perfect ball with the outside of the foot that sent Drogba one on one with Hart. There was only ever going to be one result.
Petrov rattled the roof of the Chelsea net with another free-kick but it was the home side who found the space between the posts and under the bar in the 56th minute when Hart saved from Lampard with his foot only for Drogba to shrug off Vedran Corluka and fire in his second and his team's third.
Joe Cole added a fourth after being sent through by Drogba then Salomon Kalou converted a fifth courtesy of Essien before substitute Shevchenko finished off the massacre in the last minute.
Verdict: A Bridge too far
October 29, 2007
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I think this match was primary lost tactically as Chelsea invited us to go forward and then hit us on the breaks especially in our left side. City never adjusted anyting in defence but were beaten in speed time and time again.
Young Hart was left in one to one several times and showed hiss lack of class.
A really good keeper would have keept the score down to 1-2 goals and a world class keeper could have taken all 6 as they were all within reach.
let's just have a reality check here. One game does not a season make. Judge the squad on the position at the end of the season, not a single bad performance. I woould think every team has a day like this somewhere, and as for comments and as for comments from rivals saying that's it for city, bubble burst, never break into the top four...ignore them all. Did any of these people say city were going to win the league when we beat United. Were united fans worried about relegation when we beat them this season....no i don't think so. It was only a few weeks ago, that so called football experts were prdicting that after a bad start united were never going to catch up with chelsea..look at the table now. The season is 38 games long, not one 6-0 loss, or a 3-1 win. of course i'm as gutted as the next man as to the nature of the loss, we just didn't turn up and its not nice to lose by such a margin, but the palyers can only take this as a lesson learnt and make sure they are not as naive again and are not found as wanting. Losing is not the end of the world, just the same as winning a match is not winning the league.
Not fair to blame Hart, but time to give Isaksson a run, if only to decide whether he's any good when he's fit.
Not a bad time for the team to have a mare - brings everyone back down to earth (especially the fans) and reminds Petrov and Ireland that they have jobs to do helping their full-backs, particularly away from home, particularly at places like Chelsea.
And it gives Sven every reason to show Frank that we still need more class in all sections of the squad if they're serious about breaking into the top 4.
22 points at this stage of the season - brilliant!
Rather lose one match 6-0 than lose 6 matches 1-0. It's only 3 points. You don't gain extra points by scoring 6 and thank god you don't lose extra points by conceding them. 6 defeats would sap the strength and confidence of the side, a single spanking like this will serve as a short, sharp shock to get the players working together properly again.
If this game is a benchmark as to the quality of the squad as some have suggested then is the united game where we beat them 1-0 also a benchmark....so where does that leave us!!! It is just a one off result and that is all it is.
OK, So we were poor against a very good Chelsea team with something to prove. We never really got going and to top it off, our 'big game players' didn't turn up.
LETS NOT GET CARRIED AWAY.
We are still in 3rd, and we don't have to go to Stamford Bridge again this season. We've played RAGS at home, Arsenal and Chelsea away. we've got 3 points from these 3 games which anyone would take before the season started. We now have a run of games which will make or break our season starting with Bolton on Weds. If we get in next round of Caling Cup and can pick up 9 points out of 12 in next 4 games (never get owt against Pompey away!) we can really push on.
Lets get to Xmas still in top 4 or 5 and strengthen in January and its Europe here we come.
As soon as I saw the team I knew we would lose. Why do we keep giving Samaras a chance. He is clueless and you can see that in his face. He just doesn't look like he means serious business. But our other forwards are no better and are simply not working. The only good thing about the result was that we know more than ever that only two absolute top rate strikers will suffice if we are to make progress. What was most disappointing was a return to the Jekyl and Hyde City. I really thought that under Sven we had laid the ghost of inconsistency but it appears we are haunted forever. Were Chelsea that good? - not really. We made them look classier than they were through abject defending, shocking midfield play and strikers who were woefully inept. What Garrido was thinking of during the match is anyone's guess but he wasn't focussed on the game. And Joe Hart is not up to the job either. We need a great goalie with experience. Unfortunately neither Joe nor Casper fit that bill so perhaps it's time to trot out Isaakson. Anyone thinking City were about to crash the top 4 club are completely disillusioned. Sven's masterplan will take a few years at least. Come on you Blues.
Sun should have played,he did a very good job on Frank Lampard when city beat Chelsea 1-0,he played next to Joey Barton city lacked pace and phyical presence in centre midfield.
my team
Issakson Richards Dunne Corluka Ball Geovanni Sun Hamann Petrov Elano Bianchi
Away from home should play Hamann,Sun or Fernandes in centre Midfield to add more bite in centre midfield.Should play with Geovanni,Petrov,Elano and a quick centre forward and play on the break.Should play two defensive midfield players and four quick attackers
Harsh to blame the keeper - he made a couple of saves to stop it being a rugby score...
The whole team defended badly, not just the defense and the keeper, Hamman's lack of pace was exposed on Saturday, he offered little protection, and the City were swamped in midfield, Johnson was out numbered and out gunned (hopefully he will have learnt a painful lesson Saturday). Ireland and Petrov aren't the best defensively and against quality opposition such as an in form Chelsea, they need to work harder.
This result has gone now - and we can't do anything about it - its all about how we respond on Wednesday.
CTID
Agree with Ole's comments. We were very very naive, and left Hart out on his own for the whole game. To be honest 250mil+ vs about 6omil showed just with experience.
We will bounce back, and give Chelsea a kicking in afew years.
We should not forget that our target was top half this year, with a possibility of UEFA next. CL is a dream right now, but just a little over the horizon
After living through the humiliation of the weekend,I now have to face workmates who've (it seems)been waiting
for the City bubble to burst.
Quite frankly I'm sick of talking about it and reading about it.We were awful and got exactly what we deserved-
nothing.
The Bianchi/Isaksson situation needs sorting one way or another.Either play them or sell them.Hart might be better than Kasper,but neither of them is good enough to be first choice in the Prem.I've backed Samaras
from day one,but I have to say that when I saw him starting on Saturday I was surprised.And whilst I don't think he was the sole architect of our drubbing,my heart sank when he received the ball for his first touch,was challenged,and promptly fell over.Boy,did we miss Mpenza. Richards needs reminding that it's a team game.Everything else has been covered elsewhere,let's get back on track with the next two games.CTID
No need for a verdict. Just a one off and that's it.
Great to hear the scum fans laughing & cheering at our result.
Lets just hope that Chelsea don't win the league on goal difference, because that would be a real shame.
I wounder how mwany of them would be laughing then?
I have my doubts about your result on Saturday nobody beats Brazil 6 0 I think a conspiracy has been hatched between M.U.E.N. Terry Christian , Paul Merson , Jeff Stelling ,Sky ,Alan Hanson , Mark Lawrenson , B.B.C. I.T.V. M.U.T.V. all the red top rag tabloids all the local radio stations I think the result v Chelski was nearer to 0 0 can any of you bitters who went to the game confirm the real result.
Sven keep's saying team spirit is everything and we will test that theory over the next few games,just a bad day at the office onwards and upwards.
The most depressing and probably the most predictable outcome of the hammering is that certain elements of the press are re-emerging from the woodwork saying they always knew City were 'a pratfall waiting to happen (Guardian)'. I don't think Wednesday is make or break for our season as some are suggesting but it will be an important test just the same. However I've a horrible feeling Anelka will remind us of what we no longer have.
We took a big hammering. But in a way results are not an issue at this stage. It is all about Sven learning about the quality of his team. And experience for the likes of Johnson and Hart.
However, as a fan, that is still not going to stop me having an opinion on a few things. Defensively our left side is too weak and Chelsea did their homework on that. Petrov does not like defending, and Garrido is good, but not great. Also Richards was caught out of position too many times.
At the moment I think we have three ranks of players:
Total class: Richards, Elano, Corluka, Johnson
Good players who might be class: Petrov, Hart, Onouha, Samaras, Bianchi, Isaksson, Geovanni, Fernandes
Players not good enough for a top4 club: Garrido, Dunne, Hamann, Ireland, Sun, Schmeichel, Mpenza, Vassell, Ball
The task for Sven is going to be replacing that bottom band of players over the next 12 months. We are good enough for a Uefa cup place, but with some players holding us back we won't break into the top 4 yet.
Ah well. A couple more wins and this will be forgoten.
We got thrashed, let's get over it. If we had only been on about ten points by now, it would have been a major worry. We're still in third place, and let's hope we come out stronger for this. Team against Bolton.
Isaaksson
Onuoha Corluka Dunne Ball
Geovanni Johnson Fernandes
Petrov
Samaras Bianchi
Chris Bailey - sometimes you write some good articles, other times, you leave me flummoxed:
How, on the one hand can you say City fans should "...forget the fanciful notion..." of being a top four side and yet on the other say this performance "...is easily explained away as a one-off."
Make your mind up lad - either we're not good enough or this was just a blip. It can't be both!
OK MEN I think we have all taken notice of the 6 - o hiding at the hands of Chelsea. How many more cliched articles are you going to run on this result ?.
We lost a game of footy thats all. It is time to move on and balance it up with how well we have started our 3 year plan under Sven and Co.
As a seasoned campaigner of some 35 years or so I have seen more downs than ups. But for once, I do perceive an upward momentum happening at the club.
Supporting City, by it's definition, is to take the rough with the smooth (just like real life I suppose). Imagine how distorted the fans could become if every matchday was a successful one, and ended with the predictable victory. What type of fan would that create and attract to the club ?.
A stadium full of glory seeking, sheeplike nonentities, who can not tolerate any other viewpoint, and who are ignorant of most things football. They choose a winning club to make themselves look like winners in life !. Remind you of anyone ?.
We all need to look at the 'bigger picture' and realise that supporting City will have its good and bad days, it will drive you to despair at times, but under Sven, it just might bring you a new and exciting era.
An era in which we will compete with the 'big boys'.
Some of the postings on this site show naivety, and a hint of 'SKY TV' induced hysteria.
Dont let a single setback, such as the Chelsea result take away from the fact that something special is happening to our club under Sven.
Do not dwell on the negatives, accentuate the positives my friends !.
I don't like to question Sven but it is clear that his selection for away games is awry. First of all, there is no point in playing Ireland away. He lacks commitment and muscle and is simply shrugged off the ball. He also gives the ball away a hell of a lot. I don't think he's Premier quality player anyway but away from home, he is useless. Secondly, the midfield as a whole is not defensively set up, playing both Petrov and Ireland, neither of whom can defend is just silly. I know we're short but Fernandez, Ball or even Sun, would have been better than Ireland. Thirdly, Garrido reminded me of Jordan against Wigan and Blackburn last season. Unforgiveable. The performance as a whole signals the need to buy three or fouor quaklity players in January - a left sided defender, right winger, tough tackling midfielder and goalscorer. Rome wasn't built in a day.
We are still in 3rd place, 4 pts behind the rags and better off than last season. Bring on Bolton and Sunderland, someone will pay for this Come on CITEH!!!
At the risk of over pressing a point, have a look at the MEN Man U pages. Almost devoid of any interest or any debate on a team riding high again !. A sterile, boring fans forum representing a sterile and boring fan base !.
On the blue side, one subject alone has raised 225 responses to date !.
That highlights the difference between us and them lot.
Rejoice in being a City supporter !!.
We need a left sided centre back. Fact. Micah is a top lad but every time he needs to make the tackle using the out side of his right foot. this gives the attacker more time and a left sided player would not hesitate in going right through the tackle with no delay. Watch the goals from Saturday and you'll see what i mean.