The Man City vs Chelsea match was always set to be a big one as it marked the first time Pep Guardiola and Antonio Conte were going head to head as managers of their clubs.
The game was also played to a sad backdrop of the Chapecoense tragedy. A minute’s silence before the match paid tribute to those who lost their lives in the Colombian plane crash.
That minute silence at #MCICHE for the victims and families of @ChapecoenseReal was very touching! Football really can bring people together
— Thomas Parker (@TomParker) December 3, 2016
Great respect from everyone at the Etihad for the victims of the air crash #MCICHE #ForcaChape
— Neal Smart (@nealius) December 3, 2016
When the football kicked off, it was immediately clear that it was going to be a particularly fast-paced and frantic match.
Hows the intensity of this game. Great to watch.🔥 #MCICHE
— Steve (@JarOfSteve) December 3, 2016
Really fiery match this #MCICHE
— Emil Dautović (@daut94) December 3, 2016
The frenetic nature of the game meant that it was pretty messy – there were a lot of dives and fouls from both sides.
Pretty confident every player on the pitch has gone down already. #MCICHE
— AH (@aaron_hackworth) December 3, 2016
This game right now #MCICHE #PremierLeague pic.twitter.com/p7cwhUHh9o
— Abby (@aagreene87) December 3, 2016
This meant the refereeing of the match came under particular scrutiny – and many people were seriously unhappy with Anthony Taylor’s decisions, thinking that he let a lot of fouls slip by without carding.
This refs having a stinker #MCICHE
— Ross McVean (@RossMcVean) December 3, 2016
Weekly rant at refs tweet. All useless. #MCICHE
— Aaron Cruickshank (@AaronCruicky) December 3, 2016
Anthony Taylor is not having a great game #MCICHE
— Noah Leve (@noahtkirk) December 3, 2016
The match certainly was a dramatic one: Man City’s only strike was an own goal from Cahill, which people were particularly tough on him about.
I just want to laugh and cry #MCICHE pic.twitter.com/ObVwYjLJI3
— safa (@haroldsteaspoon) December 3, 2016
Howler of an own goal #MCICHE
— John Mennis (@JfmJm) December 3, 2016
Gary Cahill what are you doing #MCICHE 1-0 own goal
— kev (@OfficialKevz) December 3, 2016
#MCICHE Cahill needs to be dropped
— Harry Robson (@ROBSONtheMVP) December 3, 2016
Chelsea were in much better form, with three storming goals from Diego Costa, Willian and Eden Hazard bringing them to a 3-1 win.
Fabregas pass 🔥 Costa finish 🔥 #MCICHE
— LongHairedBlackBoy (@May2ndKyle) December 3, 2016
Brilliant goal by Chelsea #MCICHE
— Corey Nicholson (@TopToon99) December 3, 2016
This has been absolute daylight robbery. UNBELIEVABLE SCENES CHELS!! #cfc #kevindebruyneLOL #MCICHE
— Eddie Walter (@eddiewalter) December 3, 2016
However, the real drama came right at the end of the match when a brawl broke out on the pitch.
Aguero was given a red card and sent off after bashing into Luiz and then the scuffle escalated further – Fernandinho was next to be sent off after pushing Fabregas.
Absolutely pathetic from Aguero pic.twitter.com/3wcVnExH7O
— #ChapecoenseEdition (@BrazilEdition) December 3, 2016
Fernandinho wins the 2017 Royal Rumble, throwing Fabregas over the top rope. 😂 @FootyAccums pic.twitter.com/FaQlOH5vhB
— Joe Hagen (@joehagen1) December 3, 2016
A pretty nasty end to the match, we can all agree.
Ugly scenes #MCICHE
— Gowtham anbalagan (@gowtham317) December 3, 2016
#MCICHE in the end. pic.twitter.com/aoQQWYnSgd
— Aidan (@TKz_Alphaa) December 3, 2016
Phew – all a bit frantic for us. Now that it’s over we think we’re going to have a bit of a sit down and a cuppa to recover.
