Noisy Neighbours Do Red Devils Massive Favour At The Bridge

Craig Belemy and Carlos Tevez shook up nine-man Chelsea to inspire a famous win at Stamford Bridge.

Frank Lampard had fired Chelsea ahead before Tevez cashed in on a John Terry blunder to level. Bellamy snuck through a second just after the break before the Argie slotted home from the spot. Juliano Belletti saw red for the foul that led to the spot-kick before Michael Ballack joined him in the dressing room.

Fiery Bellamy then made the game safe in the 88th minute. Incredibly, there was still time for Lampard to grab HIS second from the spot. Bridge had nailed his colours to the mast when he snubbed his former pal’s pre-match handshake. And the Chelsea fans let rip at their old left-back, booing Bridge from his very first touch.

Lampard had the first sniff when he skied over from 30 yards out. Branislav Ivanovic was next to try his luck from distance, scuffing into Shay Given’s arms. City had thier first opening when Adam Johnson curled in a free-kick on 17 minutes. But stand-in stopper Hilario was up to the task and denied the winger.

Didier Drogba had a golden chance to nod Chelsea in front after Ivanovic’s cross prized City open. The striker found himself unmarked in the box — only to send his header flying. The Ivory Coast star was in the thick of it again soon after, scooping over Lampard’s mis-hit shot.

On 39 minutes, City were let off the hook when Anelka’s shot was blocked — by team-mate Lampard. The France star weaved his way across the pitch before pulling the trigger on the edge of the box. But, with the ball flying towards the corner, Lampard could not get out of the way. The England midfielder made amends just two minutes later.

Joe Cole carved the City defence open with a glorious through-ball before Lampard tucked past Given. But the Eastlands men hit back moments later. Bridge pumped one forward and when Mikel fluffed a header clear the ball broke for Tevez. The Argie ace brought it under, skipped past Terry and, with the defender breathing down his neck, got off a tame shot.

Incredibly, that was enough to beat Hilario and creep in. Terry picked up a yellow for a 48th-minute foul on Adam Johnson. Up stepped Bridge to fire it in — but he could only gun against the wall. Two minutes later, City were ahead. Bellamy picked the ball up on the half-way line and drifted out wide. The Wales ace then cut inside, skinned Mikel and beat the angle to slot past Hilario.

Emotions nearly boiled over when Tevez, who flew back from Argentina for this fixture, squared up to Terry. The striker surged forward by was robbed on the byline by the former England skipper. And Tevez was let off the hook despite turning to Terry, angling for a scrap as he puffed out his chest. Back hit Chelsea, and Drogba forced the ball wide after a dangerous cross.

But the Blues were killed off when Juliano Belleti hacked down Barry in the box. He saw red for a professional foul and Tevez converted the penalty. There was another twist as Ballack picked up the hosts’ second red for a foul on Tevez. Amazingly, there was still time for Bellamy and Lampard to score as the game careered to a finish.

Daniel "Pitchside" Pitcher Twitter: @DanFM104Sport About: Dan "Pitchside" Pitcher provides insight and commentary as the chief soccer and rugby correspondent for Sportspeak.