Steve Bruce had declared that Blues would look to take the game to Chelsea, though his team selection did seem slightly more negative than the side that drew with Spurs last week. Mehdi Nafti came in for his second start for the club (Old Trafford and Stamford Bridge - clearly a man for the big occasion!) at the expense of Stan Lazaridis. This mean that Nafti went into the middle of the park alongside Damien Johnson, whilst Darren Carter moved to wide left. There was no doubt that the move was designed though so that Carter could tuck inside so that he, Johnson and Nafti could match Chelsea's central midfield trio.
Blues started fairly comfortably, enjoying some good possession and frustrating the home side. Whether it was Blues playing really well, or a case of after the Lord Mayor's Show for Chelsea following their exploits against Bayern Munich remains to be seen, but both teams were cancelling each other out.
For Blues, Nafti was proving to be a real plus in the middle of the park. His performance is best compared to those that (though perhaps not quite to the extent) that Thomas Gravesen used to put in for Everton. He covered a lot of ground, won tackles, played simple balls in the main, but also showed some class with one or two clever balls into Walter Pandiani.
Chelsea began to emerge a little more in the latter stages of the first half. Joe Cole eased past several Blues players - as he's done to many defenders lately - before glancing the foot of the post with a shot, before Tiago's cross just evaded Frank Lampard after an error by Mario Melchiot. Maik Taylor in the Blues goal also had to save from Cole and from a Lampard free-kick as the first half drew to a conclusion. Whilst Chelsea had shaded it in chances, Blues had more than matched their opponents all over the park, and were deservedly level.
Recognition of Blues' efforts in the first half was given by Mourinho at half-time when he opted to send on Didier Drogba and Eidur Gudjohnsen for Mateja Kezman and Alexei Smertin. This obviously added to Chelsea's threat, but meant that Blues had a little more freedom going forward themselves now.
Indeed, in the very early stages of the second half Blues fashioned the best opportunity of the game. Damien Johnson broke well from midfield and chipped a good ball to Carter at the far post. Carter was well-placed and had time to compose himself but drove his half volley straight at Petr Cech before John Terry did well to block Pandiani's follow-up. In truth it summed up a disappointing afternoon for Carter who struggled in his new role.
The game was much more alive now that Chelsea had made their changes, as they pressed more and it meant Blues could play more. For Chelsea, Drogba headed over and Lampard flashed a left-foot effort wide - a much easier chance than either of his left-footed efforts against Bayern!
After 65 minutes, however, Blues took the lead - much to most people's surprise, I would imagine. Joe Cole - petulant as ever - fouled Emile Heskey and then kicked the ball away when the decision went against him. He argued that he'd got the ball, and yes, he did, but only after he'd first sithed down Heskey. Cole was booked, probably for kicking the ball away, and the free-kick was moved forward 10 yards, much to the disgruntlement of the home fans, but those are the rules. These top teams forget that these 'rules' things exist sometimes.
Jermaine Pennant took the free-kick, and appeared to really overhit it as it floated over Cech and looked to be heading out for a goal-kick. Matthew Upson however nodded the ball back across goal and Pandiani was on hand to rifle the ball into the roof of the net and put Blues 1-0 up.
It was really backs to the wall stuff now for Blues as Chelsea were obviously going to look for an equaliser to protect their excellent home record. Blues were holding out fairly well though, and in Lazaridis (on for Carter) had the option of an outlet when breaking out of defence - an option they sometimes sadly lack.
However, with 7 minutes to go, Chelsea did get their equaliser through the whinging Drogba, who had done nothing but moan since getting onto the pitch. Chelsea moved through blues at ease for the first time - helped by Julian Gray who simply stood and watched despite being the fresh legs in the Blues side - and Lampard found Drogba who clipped the ball home. There was a hint of offside, but it all happened very quickly, so it was tough to tell really.
Blues did well in the final minutes without affording Chelsea too many clearcut opportunities as the home side threw everything forward. Terry headed wide before Jiri Jarosik's volley flew into the side netting with practically the last kick of the game.
Blues may well have been disappointed not to come away with all three points having come so close, but at the end of the day, a real footballing cliche sums it up - they'd have settled for that before the kick-off. Blues did play well, and did have a go at Chelsea, which is all the fans would have wanted really, and with so many good performers, Steve Bruce can be very satisfied with the side's afternoon work.