Chelsea extend lead at top of table after win at Manchester City

Both Manchester City and Chelsea have been charged for failing to ensure their players conducted themselves in an orderly fashion and/or refrained from provocative behaviour, ‘ the FA announced in a statement on Monday afternoon.

On the sidelines, Guardiola could be seen reacting sarcastically to numerous referee’s decision and after the match, he appeared to purposely ignore Fabregas attempt to greet him.

That victory was Chelsea’s eighth in a row in the Premier League and left Conte’s men flying high at the top of the Premier League table after 14 games.

City dominated the first hour but broke through only when Gary Cahill sliced a Jesus Navas cross into his own net. Manchester City tried but Antonio Conte’s defense kept them in the bay.

The third goal came from another counterattack as City piled forward, this time Hazard outpacing Aleksandar Kolarov and smashing a finish past Bravo.

Chelsea made the most of that let-off, with Diego Costa, Willian and Eden Hazard completing a superb comeback, before Sergio Aguero and Fernadinho saw red for the hosts in stoppage time. With nine men at the field Chelsea’s job have become easier.

Aguero – scorer of 16 goals this season – being absent looks a particularly damaging prospect for City, but boss Pep Guardiola has not been dwelling on the matter, saying: “He is sent off”. I like. I enjoy seeing my team [like this].

“We didn’t win because we missed a lot of chances, not for the referee”, said Guardiola. And it was those near-misses that Guardiola felt cost his side dear. But it’s part of the game. At Crystal Palace maybe we didn’t deserve to win.

The Belgian’s failure to slot home the cross from three metres out proved costly as Chelsea, showing what manager Conte called “good character”, exposed City’s defensive deficiencies on the break with three goals in the last half-hour. In the box, they are so strong.

“Both players”, he replied.

Fernandinho was also given his marching orders after pushing Cesc Fabregas over the advertising hoardings, although replays later showed that he was antagonised by the Spaniard who slapped him in the face.

The Blues have won 11 away games at the Etihad in the Premier League, which is their highest total against a particular team in the competition’s history.

“The level was good, believe me”. You don’t expect Chelsea to create 25 chances.

“The players around him were playing well, defending for our lives when we didn’t have the ball and he’ll see that. That is my explanation, but it will sound like an excuse”, Guardiola explained.