Chelsea scored three second-half goals to inflict a first home league defeat on Pep Guardiola since taking charge of Manchester City, as the Blues ran out 3-1 winners at the Etihad Stadium.
A thrilling game of football saw both teams cancel each other out for large parts of the first half, before Gary Cahill put into his own net on the brink of half time.
Diego Costa started the Blues' comeback on the hour, though, with Willian and Eden Hazard also netting to edge the visitors four points clear of their opponents at the summit.
City, who felt that David Luiz should have been sent off in the first half, had their misery compounded in added time when Sergio Aguero and Fernandinho were themselves dismissed.
Relive how the 90 minutes of action unfolded with Sports Mole's live text coverage below.
Hello and welcome to Sports Mole's live text coverage of the Premier League meeting between Manchester City and Chelsea at the Etihad Stadium. This top-of-the-table clash pits together two of the division's title favourites, who are separated by just the one point heading into this huge showdown in Manchester. It is the visitors who currently lead the way at the top, but that could all change over the next few hours.
Chelsea make the trip to the Etihad Stadium looking to maintain what has been a remarkable change in fortunes since reverting to this 3-4-3 formation, which really has got the best out of each and every player - from spare man David Luiz at the back through to the roaming Diego Costa up top. City have gone under the radar a little in the past few weeks, meanwhile, but they appear to be back on track following a sticky patch of form in October.
TEAM NEWS!
MANCHESTER CITY XI: Bravo, Stones, Otamendi, Kolarov, Fernandinho, Gundogan, Navas, Sane, Silva, De Bruyne, Aguero
CHELSEA XI: Courtois, Azpilicueta, Luiz, Cahill, Moses, Kante, Fabregas, Alonso, Pedro, Costa, Hazard
Some pretty big team news for both sides, then. Starting with Man City, manager Pep Guardiola has changed half of his squad for this clash by bringing in six fresh faces. This is more in line with the Citizens' strongest XI, with Ilkay Gundogan and John Stones among those to return - the former taking his place in what appears to be a three-man backline alongside Aleksandar Kolarov and Nicolas Otamendi. City, it seems, will fight fire with fire by matching Chelsea's formation.
Leroy Sane is also back in the side, playing on the opposite flank to Jesus Navas in what will be a head-to-head battle with Marcos Alonso and Victor Moses. Kevin De Bruyne and David Silva are two more of those star names back in the fold, having been overlooked at Burnley seven days ago for fitness reasons, with each likely to play a key part just off leading marksman Sergio Aguero. Raheem Sterling picked up a knock at Turf Moor last time out and will therefore not be involved today.
A really interesting formation selected by Guardiola, who is certainly not adverse to changing things depending on the opponent. No matter what the system, one man in particular will always remain vital in that centre-forward role - Sergio Aguero; a player who is looking to improve on a record of 16 goals in 18 this season overall, including 10 in 11 league games. The South American ace scored four in two against Chelsea last season, too, with his hat-trick at Stamford Bridge providing one of City's highlights of the campaign.
In terms of the visitors, Antonio Conte has finally shuffled his pack slightly due to what appears to be an enforced change. The Italian has named the same lineup for six games running, which many expected to remain the case this afternoon following a superb run of form. Nemanja Matic, who has been so important this season with six assists from defensive midfield - more than his previous two campaigns combined - misses out and is replaced by Cesc Fabregas.
It has now been over two months since we last saw Fabregas given some playing time for Chelsea, who have settled on a winning formula. That has been disrupted today, though, which means an even bigger afternoon in store for defensive destroyer N'Golo Kante, who will now have to do even more sweeping due to Fabregas's attacking nature. Elsewhere it is as you were from the previous six outings, with the 3-4-3 formation still intact.
John Terry remains absent from the squad to a muscular injury, while John Obi Mikel - almost certainly on his way in January - is also absent. Eden Hazard, Pedro and Costa will again lead the line, with the latter involved in a league-high 14 goals in the top flight this term - 10 goals of his own and a further four assists. Matic may have been a shadow of his former self last term, but his absence today really is a major blow to Chelsea just at the wrong time.
BENCH WATCH!
MANCHESTER CITY SUBS: Caballero, Zabaleta, Sagna, Clichy, Yaya Toure, Fernando, Iheanacho
CHELSEA SUBS: Begovic, Aina, Ivanovic, Oscar, Chalobah, Willian, Batshuayi
Plenty of cover right across the field for Chelsea, pretty much other than in that engine room role usually occupied by Matic. Fabregas coming in is far from a like-for-like replacement, but Conte has opted against turning to one of the younger squad players. Yaya Toure drops down to the bench for the first time in three league games, meanwhile, and Zabaleta and Sagna both miss out as Guardiola reverts system yet again - three at the back for him today.
Cesc Fabregas has been absent from the Chelsea side for over two months now, but an injury picked up by Nemanja Matic gives the Spaniard a chance to prove his worth this afternoon. That is the first chance made by Antonio Conte since the second match of this seven-game winning run in the league - and what a big blow it could be. Pep Guardiola makes six changes from the 2-1 win at Burnley, meanwhile, including the return of star players John Stones, Ilkay Gundogan, David Silva and Kevin De Bruyne.
A huge match to kick off this Premier League weekend, then, between two sides backed to go all the way this term. Liverpool and Arsenal are the other two currently in the mix, with the four teams separated by just the three points as we approach the hectic festive fixtures. Liverpool travel to Bournemouth tomorrow afternoon, while Arsenal take on West Ham United at the London Stadium in today's evening fixture - games you would expect to title chasers to win to keep momentum alive.
Man City have just about gone under the radar over the past few weeks, which is in stark contrast to today's opponents Chelsea. The Citizens started the season in incredible form, brushing aside every comer in the first couple of months before hitting a stick patch of form - Guardiola's worst run in senior management. That culminated in defeat to rivals Manchester United at Old Trafford in the EFL Cup, but that aside the damage was far from fatal and City are still on course for silverware in their two priority competitions - the Premier League and Champions League.
Since that disappointing run City have won four and drawn two, including victories in each of their last two league outings. Those wins came away from home, as they recovered against both Crystal Palace and Burnley in successive weeks to make it six points from six to keep afloat at the top end of the division. The Citizens were far from their free-flowing best in both games, while at home it is three draws in succession - far from the convincing form that saw them storm to the summit early in the season.
Not since September 17, when cruising past Bournemouth during that perfect start, have City picked up maximum points at the Etihad Stadium. Those back-to-back wins on the road, plus the draw needed out in Germany against Borussia Monchengladbach in the Champions League, does however mean that momentum is slowly returning. Progression from a tough European group also means that Guardiola's men can fully focus on the Premier League between now and February, with a couple of FA Cup ties thrown into the mix for good measure.
Being able to focus on the league is exactly what City need right now, with this their first full week off - excluding international breaks, when many of their players are away - since their season began in early August. Guardiola has therefore had close to a full week to drill this system into his players, with another period of rest and rehabilitation to come prior to a flurry of fixtures between now and the opening weeks of January. The Citizens face Chelsea, Leicester City, Arsenal and Liverpool prior to New Year's Day - a run of games that they must face head on.
It is worth pointing out that City have only actually lost one league game in their last 15, winning nine of those and drawing five. Just two clean sheets in the last 16 is a worry, though, costing them valuable points and allowing Chelsea to nip ahead at the top ahead of this showdown at the Etihad Stadium. With three points between the top four, and just one between Chelsea, Liverpool and Man City, this really is a huge clash. Just the four goals between them, too, so a runaway victory for one of these sides today and it will be as good as four points in the bag.
PREVIOUS MEETINGS! Chelsea have lost six of their last eight games away to Manchester City in all competitions, with their only win during that time coming in February 2014 through a Branislav Ivanovic goal - a superb counter-attacking display from the Blues halting their opponents' perfect home league run. The Citizens won both Premier League games 3-0 last term, with Sergio Aguero bagging a hat-trick in West London, but the Blues exacted revenge by claiming a 5-1 FA Cup thrashing against a weakened City side.
Pep Guardiola has not had quite so much joy over the past couple of months compared to his opening six weeks or so as Manchester City manager, but following his worst run of results since entering management - six games without a win - the Catalan coach has helped get the Citizens back on track with back-to-back league wins and progression in the Champions League. A first league win at home since mid-September is now the next target.
City find themselves one points off leaders Chelsea ahead of kickoff, then, thanks to a storming run of form for the Blues. They managed to remain at the summit last weekend on a crazy afternoon of football, in which both Man City and Liverpool took it in turns to climb top - each after claiming narrow victories over Burnley and Sunderland respectively - before Conte's men moved back top. Doing so this weekend will be an even bigger ask, though, with Liverpool and Arsenal both watching this one closely ahead of their later fixtures.
As well as winning seven in a row since switching to a 3-4-3 formation, Chelsea have also scored 19 and conceded just one - a christian Eriksen bullet seven days ago at Stamford Bridge. That clash with London rivals Spurs was the Blues' toughest challenge yet during this run; a dominant display from the visitors in the first half somehow not being enough to go into the break with a lead, as Pedro cancelled out that Eriksen goal. Moses then bagged a winner in the second half, earning his side what looked to be an improbable win with 44 minutes played.
Conte has had to face all kinds of different formations and systems - high press, teams sitting deep - but he has just about come out on top in all of them. The best display of the lot, by quite some distance, was the thrashing of Everton on home soil last month, when the Toffees near enough matches the Blues' setup by going with a more defensive five at the back. City have two wing-backs in Sane and Navas today, so expected plenty of width.
Chelsea's only dropped points this term come during a two-week spell, as they were held by Swansea City following a dominant first-half display, before losing in successive games to Liverpool and Arsenal. It was that latter defeat which sparked Conte into action as, even though his side had been perfect prior to that run, performances were not exactly at the level he wanted. It has worked a treat so far, even if Spurs did deal with them pretty easily for around 44 minutes of last weekend's clash.
DID YOU KNOW? Chelsea could record eight league wins in a row this afternoon for the first time since 2010, albeit across two seasons on that occasion. Their run was halted by Man City back then, so could history repeat itself today? Their best winning streaks in one season was in 2006-07 when going nine games without dropping a point and, with West Brom, Sunderland, Palace, Bournemouth and Stoke up next, they could smash that record should they see this one through.
With kickoff at the Etihad Stadium now just 10 minutes away, let us turn attention to some pre-match thoughts from both camps.
Pep Guardiola: "Conte's statistics, his numbers, the way they play, are really good. It is the first time we are going to face each other [as managers] and it's good to play against him. He did an exceptional job in Turin with Juventus and with the [Italy] national team. He started here with maybe not good results but they have won their last seven games, conceding one goal... they were contenders to win the Premier League from the beginning but now, maybe more than before. It's a good test for us."
Antonio Conte: "City are a really great team with great players but we want to show we are working very well. This is another step to show us if something is changing compared to the start of the season. It will be a tough game; a great test for us for our formation. We know it won't be easy, we face a really great team. We want to show we are working very well and growing and another step to show if something is changing from the start of the season."
As Guardiola pointed out there, this is the first time that he has ever faced off against Conte in management. The pair have a mutual respect for one another, unlike many of the big-name managers in the division. The Catalan, a multi-league winner with both Barcelona and Bayern Munich, expects Chelsea to remain here or thereabout come next May, with this potentially a decisive afternoon in deciding where exactly the Premier League crown ends up.
Conte speaking there about his side being given a chance today to show just how far they have come on since the opening stages of the season. Chelsea were seconds best against both Liverpool and Arsenal in successive weeks, seeing them slip down the pecking order and forcing the Italian into a reversion in formation. Tottenham tried and failed to end this run, as did Everton last month, now it is the biggest test yet by quite some distance - a hugely talented Man City side at the Etihad Stadium.
PREDICTION! All good things must come to an end, which in Chelsea's case means that this perfect run has to end some time or other. This may well be the day that their crown finally slips, particularly with Matic - confirmed out with a muscular injury - being replaced by Fabregas in the engine room. Man City have not won at home in over two months in the league, but they have a good record over the Blues and will edge this one 2-1.
We will have a minute's silence prior to kickoff in respect to those who lost their lives in the Colombian air crash disaster. A sense of perspective, that, which really did send shockwaves through the sport early this week. Attention will then turn to the Premier League's biggest match so far - a tussle between two of the title favourites, separated by just one point and two goals.
KICKOFF! Manchester City, sporting their traditional sky blue colours, get us up and running at the Etihad Stadium. An early injury problem for Chelsea to contend with, as Eden Hazard was caught and is currently receiving some treatment.
That Hazard injury really does look to be quite nasty. Fernandinho caught the Belgian's ankle with his studs - unintentionally - and he may well have to be replaced just three minutes into the game. He will try to run it off, but do not be surprised to see an alteration.
Luiz had his heart in his mouth for a moment but Courtois was out to collect a through-ball with relative ease in the end. Hazard does seem to be OK at the moment, but his pass on the edge of the opposition box was straight to an opposition player.
In terms of the formations, I make it a 3-4-2-1 for City - Silva and De Bruyne playing slightly behind Aguero. That is in contrast to Chelsea, who of course shove Hazard and Pedro high up the pitch to join the more central Costa. The hosts claim a penalty after the ball hit Cahill's hand, but that was never going to be given.
Stones again showing that he has got a long way to go before being considered anywhere neat the world's elite defenders, as he fails to usher out the ball and is caught out by Costa. The Spaniard was unable to pick out a teammate and City can breath again.
Fairly frantic start to this match, which was to be expected really considering the systems. Not quite like-for-like, so maybe a case of each side looking to find any weaknesses before exploiting them. One for the tactical purists, this.
Chelsea without one of their key players in Matic today, but they are so accustomed to this system now and look the better side overall. Stones is required to meet Alonso's cross, cutting out the latest attacking move from the Blues.
SHOT! First real attempt of the afternoon so far, as neither Stones nor Sane can get any distance on their headed clearances. Hazard took on the shot out of nowhere, sending it a yard wide of the target - decent enough effort.
YELLOW CARD! Near enough City's best move so far, as Fernandinho nearly picks out Aguero inside the box. Fernandinho, dropping deep into central defence, cuts out the danger well. Otamendi the first player booked following a late challenge.
Groans around the Etihad Stadium due to the hosts' insistence on passing it out from the back. Chelsea closing down high up the pitch and City get nowhere fast, eventually losing possession on the left flank. A more direct approach is sometimes better.
SAVE! Classic Aguero. Barely had a touch all afternoon, but he is spotted in just a little space on the edge of the box, where he is able to turn and blast an effort on target which Courtois is happy to knock over the bar.
Pedro the latest player to receive some treatment on the field. Hazard has looked fine since his early scare, but Blues boss Conte has another attacking problem to contend with now should the Spaniard fail to shake off this knock.
GOAL DISALLOWED! So little room for City to manoeuvre in when they approach Chelsea's final third, but De Bruyne is one of the division's most classy players and is constantly looking to make something happen. His dead ball delivery was headed home by Fernandinho, but he was clearly offside.
CHANCE! Best chance of the game so far, coming moments after that disallowed goal up the other end. Otamendi was caught out and Hazard was in behind, rounding Bravo but opting not to go for goal from the angle. Far too unselfish, with his pass into a more central position cut out.
Real chaos in the City box, as the ball bounces around before eventually being run clear. Luiz just could not quite get it out of his feet, and the Citizens - failing to find their rhythm so far - are again able to breath a sigh of relief.
RED CARD APPEAL! Huge moment in this match, as Luiz quite blatantly steps across Aguero to block him off when essentially the last man. Referee Anthony Taylor waved play on, saving the Brazilian from what surely would have been a straight red card.
BLOCK! It is now City who are on top in this lively match, as Moses is caught ball watching by Sane who simply knocked the ball into a central position for Aguero. The Citizens' leading marksman was blocked from a few yards out by Azpilicueta.
The hosts looking much the brighter since that wasted Hazard chance around 10 minutes ago, stepping things up and getting Sane and Silva more involved in attacking positions. Still no way through but a lively enough opening 35 minutes to the match.
Chelsea now taking the sting out of things with a spell of possession. Since getting in behind down the left flank when Hazard got the better of Otamendi, there has been no real danger from the hosts. A breakthrough goal before the break would set things up nicely!
Patience is the key word so far to describe this game; Otamendi summing that up nicely by picking up the ball on the right and moving central before spraying it out to the opposite flank. City are getting the ball into the box far more now, but Aguero is being well marked.
Just the one shot on target combined so far - Aguero testing Courtois with a stinger down the middle. That does not tell the whole story, because Chelsea had the best chance of the lot when Hazard refused to go for goal from the angle with an open net gaping.
CLOSE De Bruyne with another perfect cross into the box, which Aguero meets with his head bet sends narrowly wide of the far post. City then wanted a penalty but Kante looked to just get enough on the ball.
GOAL! MANCHESTER CITY 1-0 CHELSEA (GARY CAHILL, OG)
Man City make the breakthrough right on the brink of half time, and it has come through a rather fortuitous route as Cahill has put the ball into his own net. Navas's cross from the right was not particularly hard to deal with, but he swung his right leg at the ball in an awkward manner and it went out of Courtois' reach into the far corner.
HALF TIME: MANCHESTER CITY 1-0 CHELSEA
A gripping first half is brought to a close by Anthony Taylor, who has had quite an eventful first half himself. Chelsea perhaps should be a player light at the break, but Manchester City fans did at least see their side edge ahead in the final minute of normal time prior to the break - Gary Cahill miscuing the ball into his own net.
With Guardiola reverting formation yet again for the visit of the in-form Blues, going with three at the back in a near like-for-like system when up against their opponents, the opening 10 minutes proved to be fairly frantic. Neither side could create any openings, finding gaps in the final third hard to come by, but Eden Hazard did take on a shot from nothing 15 minutes in to kickstart a gripping period in the match.
It was Sergio Aguero who mustered the next sight on goal, looking to add to a tally of 16 goals in 18 games when sending a shot from 22 yards right down the middle for Thibaut Courtois to knock over the bar. City thought they had the key breakthrough a quarter of the way through, only for Fernandinho's powerful header from a Kevin De Bruyne free kick to be correctly ruled out for offside.
The visitors, forced to make a change to their starting lineup for the first time in two months due to Nemanja Matic's injury, were unable to test Claudio Bravo with a single attempt in the first half, though Hazard did get in behind Nicolas Otamendi before looking to tee up a teammate rather than rolling into an unguarded net from a tight angle. Referee Taylor and his officials may have got one big call correct in the opening 45 minutes, but the man in the middle's decision to wave play on when David Luiz stepped across Aguero as the last man left home fans furious - the Brazilian being given a reprieve when a red card looked the most likely outcome.
It had been very balanced up until the final 10 minutes of the half, at which point the Citizens stepped things up and saw Aguero's shot blocked in front of goal by Cesar Azpilicueta - coming after Leroy Sane caught Victor Moses sleeping at the back post - before finally grabbing the goal they felt they deserved on the brink of half time. A simple enough delivery from Navas on the right, moments after De Bruyne's own cross was headed wide by Aguero, was awkwardly met by the right leg of Cahill and the ball span past Courtois into the far corner of the net.
Plenty for both managers to ponder at the break, then - particularly Antonio Conte who may well be tempted to make a change at this midway point. Pep Guardiola will be the happier of the two thanks to that late own goal, but his side were caught out at the back one a couple of occasions.
MANCHESTER CITY SUBS: Caballero, Zabaleta, Sagna, Clichy, Yaya Toure, Fernando, Iheanacho
CHELSEA SUBS: Begovic, Aina, Ivanovic, Oscar, Chalobah, Willian, Batshuayi
RESTART! Chelsea get things under way in this second half at the Etihad Stadium. Just the two clean sheets for Manchester City in their last 16 games, remember, so plenty for Chelsea to play for in the remaining 45 minutes.
A good cross into the box from the right is cut out by Luiz, who is having another decent game at the back. Man City starting this second half the better team, desperate to claim a second goal that they will likely require to claim all three points.
SAVE! Brilliant play from Sane, who moves up a gear the drive through the heart of Chelsea's midfield and has a player either side. The summer signing went to De Bruyne on his right, but the Belgian's attempt was kept out by the leg of Courtois. Silva then saw a shot, heading wide, collected by Courtois.
SHOT! A decent chance for Costa to add to his tally for the season, but he fails to make the right contact with the ball and sends his shot from a right-sided position wide of the target. Kante is then shown a yellow for a foul, while Pedro is replaced by Willian - all happening!
Willian, on the field for just a couple of minutes, drags a shot well wide of the target. Real end-to-end start to this second half, with both teams certainly not afraid to try their luck when finding the odd pockets of space in attack.
OFF THE LINE! Almost another disaster for Cahill, who does redeem himself in the end. A simple ball was left by the Englishman for his keeper, but Aguero got there first and attempted to roll into an empty net. Cahill raced back to block it aside, saving further blushes.
MISS! Oh my word! A lightning City counter was crying out for De Bruyne to just tap home at the back post, but he somehow put it wide from point-blank range when picked out by Navas. Chelsea are still somehow in this game.
GOAL! MANCHESTER CITY 1-1 CHELSEA (DIEGO COSTA)
What a game we are witnessing at the Etihad Stadium. Chelsea should probably be three goals down but, just moments after Costa came agonisingly close to picking up the ball and equalising, the Spain international did indeed find a way through. Fabregas picked out his countryman with a ball over the top, but this goal was all about Costa who controlled, held off Otamendi and blasted through Bravo.
SAVE! A 60-second breather would be welcome right about now! Chelsea completely stretched as Aguero is again played through, but the ball gets stuck under his feet and Courtois is equal to the shot when it does arrive. What a game!
City ruing those missed chances now in the build-up to Chelsea's leveller because, that Aguero shot aside, it is the Blues who are in control of things. Home fans groan once more as the visitors get closer and closer to the box.
Really good defending from Moses, who gets to the ball before Aguero could tap in De Bruyne's cross - the Belgian getting plenty of joy down that Chelsea left. The hosts' latest penalty attempt, the weakest of the late, is again waved away.
This has got to be the most frenetic 90 minutes of Premier League action this term, perfectly balanced as we enter these final 20 minutes. Almost don't want either manager to make a change at the moment, because a stoppage in play will disrupt the flow.
MANCHESTER CITY SUB! Right on cue, Guardiola goes and makes a change by bringing on Clichy for Sane - fresh legs in that wing-back area. Conte happy enough to keep things the same at this moment in time.
GOAL! MANCHESTER CITY 1-2 CHELSEA (WILLIAN)
Absolutely incredible! Following the theme of the game, Gundogan waltzes his way through the Chelsea defence but cannot find a teammate at the end of his attacking burst. Chelsea break, with Costa superbly turning and playing through Willian, who found a way past Bravo despite the angle being against him.
Chelsea just the second team to score more than once against City in the Premier league this term - Tottenham being the other to do so. A special moment for Willian, as he holds up his black armband - worn in remembrance of those Chapecoense players and staff who lost their lives earlier this week.
MANCHESTER CITY SUB! Overlooked by Guardiola for so long, the City manager now turns to Yaya Toure to become a late hero - again! Gundogan the man replaced, with a little under 15 minutes to come at the Etihad Stadium.
Another penalty shout for the hosts, this time after Alonso caught the foot of Navas. The City man was very much looking for it, though, so referee Anthony Taylor must be praised for getting that call correct - even if he did get the biggest of the lot wrong in the first half.
MANCHESTER CITY SUB! Guardiola rolls the dice for the final time, bringing on Kelechi Iheanacho for John Stones. It does not take a genius to work out that the hosts will throw absolutely everything they have at Chelsea in the remaining 10 minutes.
City win themselves a corner, which Otamendi can only head over the bar from 10 yards out. Chelsea lost six of their last eight games here, remember, but they are just eight minutes away from their biggest win in quite some time.
Still a couple of changes available for Conte to make. The Italian will surely use them at some point, even if it is just to disrupt the flow of the game. A free kick into the box is missed by Cahill, allowing Bravo to collect the loss ball.
Still so incredibly open at the Etihad Stadium in these closing stages, but the chances have dried up since Chelsea's key second goal. The Citizens close to playing a 1-9 formation now, throwing everything they have at their opponents.
CHELSEA SUB! Conte has brought on Chalobah for Costa, as he opts to go for a more defensive approach in the closing moments. Cannot really blame him! Iheanacho's eyes lit up, but his shot from distance ends well wide of goal.
GOAL! MANCHESTER CITY 1-3 CHELSEA (EDEN HAZARD)
A classic Chelsea counter is rounded off by Hazard, who kept his cool to surely seal the points for the visitors. They have had to ride their luck for a second week running, but Conte's men have shown yet again why they are surely now the standout title favourites.
Willian has been brilliant since coming on, with his shot being parried by Bravo. Just out of reach of Fabregas, who was unable to stab home a fourth for his side. Three minutes of added time still left to play here, but this one is surely over.
CHELSEA SUB! Michy Batshuayi is on for Eden Hazard for the remaining 60 seconds. A stunning victory for Chelsea is now just moments away from being confirmed. City, on the other hand, are now four without a league win here.
RED CARD! Time is officially up but the drama is not over quite yet. Aguero goes in with an absolute stinker of a challenge on Luiz, catching his opponent on the knee with his studs. An easy decision for Taylor to make - straight red.
RED CARD! Fernandinho has also seemingly been sent off, as he is making his way down the tunnel area. Plenty of afters following that horror challenge from Aguero, but I think it was just the two reds - Aguero and Fernandinho.
FULL TIME: MANCHESTER CITY 1-3 CHELSEA
An incredible game of football at the Etihad Stadium finally comes to an end, 10 minutes after the 90 minutes were up, meaning Chelsea go four clear of Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table. Gary Cahill's own goal seems like an eternity ago now, as Diego Costa, Willian and Eden Hazard all found the net in the second half after the hosts missed a number of chances. Sergio Aguero and Fernandinho were also dismissed for the Citizens, compounding their misery further.
That concludes Sports Mole's live text coverage of events at the Etihad Stadium. A full on-the-whistle match report can be found by clicking here, while updates from a selection of the day's 3pm kickoffs are also available here. Enjoy!
