Lampard's penalty conjures victory for Chelsea over Manchester City

Lampard scores the penalty 

Stamford Bridge, December 12: Frank Lampard's late penalty brought Chelsea the victory against the leaders Manchester City, as Mancini's side suffered their first defeat in the league, on Monday.

Mario Balotelli scored the opener for Manchester City, just 98 seconds into the match. Sergio Aguero drew Terry out with him from central defence and send forward a through-ball for Balotelli who hold off Ivanovic and went round Cech to angle the ball into the empty net.

Raul Meireles volleyed into the centre of the goal on 33 minutes for the equaliser, after Daniel Sturridge swung the ball to him unmarked in the middle.

Frank Lampard scored a penalty on 81 minutes to put the blues in the lead. The refree gave it against Joleon Lescott for handball after he stuck his arm up on Sturridge's shot.

Chelsea now comes up to the 3rd position while Manchester City still stand on the top of table with 2 points ahead of Manchester United.

MATCH STATS:

                  

Chelsea

-

Man City

2 - 1

(HT 1 - 1)

GOALS

Meireles 33'

Lampard 81' Pen

Balotelli 1'

BOOKINGS

Meireles

Romeu

Santos do Nascimento

Drogba

Kompany

Clichy

POSSESSION

49

51

TERRITORY (%)

51

49

SHOTS OFF TARGET

6

4

SHOTS ON TARGET

4

2

TACKLES

16

17

OFFSIDES

0

3

CORNERS

5

1

SUCCESSFUL PASSING (%)

82

84

Referee: Clattenburg, M

Venue: Stamford Bridge