Nasri hits double in thrilling friendly
Another U.S. thriller was decided by a delightful double from the Frenchman as the Premier League runner-up managed a win in an end-to-end game full of attacking intent.
Two goals from Samir Nasri and strikes from Gareth Barry, James Milner and Edin Dzeko ensured victory for Manchester City despite a second-half double from Ramires as the Premier League runner-up triumphed in a second goal-packed encounter with Chelsea in three days.
The friendly continued where the first encounter left off as Barry opened the scoring within three minutes following a terrible error from Oscar, before Nasri doubled the lead before the break with a lovely finish.
In a second half rife with attacking intent, both Ramires and Mata almost instigated a comeback, only for lovely finishes from Milner, Nasri and Dzeko to put paid to any hopes of a Blues recovery.
Ramires gave the Blues some hope with a smartly-taken finish just after the break but two lovely goals from Milner and Nasri soon put paid to any chances of a comeback, despite the Brazilian grabbing a second later in the half and Mata also finding the net.
Manchester City named a strong XI, with perhaps the only surprise coming in the form of Derdyrck Boyata's inclusion in the starting lineup. Chelsea opted for less experience as youngsters Andreas Christensen, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Nathan Ake were all afforded starts.
In a second half rife with attacking intent, both Ramires and Mata almost instigated a comeback, only for lovely finishes from Milner, Nasri and Dzeko to put paid to any hopes of a Blues recovery.
Ramires gave the Blues some hope with a smartly-taken finish just after the break but two lovely goals from Milner and Nasri soon put paid to any chances of a comeback, despite the Brazilian grabbing a second later in the half and Mata also finding the net.
Manchester City named a strong XI, with perhaps the only surprise coming in the form of Derdyrck Boyata's inclusion in the starting lineup. Chelsea opted for less experience as youngsters Andreas Christensen, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Nathan Ake were all afforded starts.
City opened the scoring after just three minutes thanks to a shocking error from Oscar; the Brazilian was ridiculously lax in possession, gifting the ball straight to Sergio Aguero in front of Chelsea's goal. The striker failed to capitalize but succeeded in forcing a save from Hilario, allowing for Barry to tap home and open the scoring.
City continued to threaten after the opener and it was not long before it extended the lead. Nasri provided an immaculate finish after he was put through on goal by David Silva. The Frenchman duly took the Spaniard's deft pass into his stride before lifting the ball over the despairing Hilario.
Luiz, Oscar and Torres all wasted chances as Chelsea mounted a response before the interval, culminating in Ake hitting the bar from distance with the last kick of the half.
Their pressure told in the second half as, within a minute, afterRamires was put through by his compatriot Luiz, the Brazilian rounded substitute goalkeeper Richard Wright with consummate ease before tucking home to make it 2-1.
As the relentless pace of the game refused to let up, City responded almost instantaneously with a wonderfully worked goal, instigated by a driving run from Jack Rodwell. The midfielder played the ball infield to Milner who, after a delightful exchange with substitute Edin Dzeko, slammed the ball into the far corner with some style.
With almost 20 minutes remaining, the Blues managed to pull another goal back and, once again, it came through the lively Ramires. After Mata fed Torres in the area, the Spaniard shimmied his way past Lescott before finding the Brazilian at the far post with a smart cross that the midfielder converted with ease.
The pace of the game began to tell in the closing stages and Nasri was there to capitalize on some suspect Chelsea defending, waltzing his way past Christensen and Ake after a clever one-two with Dzeko before clipping the ball over Cech beautifully.
Mata ensured that the goals did not end there as, after Ramires was brought down on the edge of the area, the Spaniard swung a delightful free kick into the top corner.
That majestic finish transpired to be little other than consolation though as Dzeko, once again, finished off the contest with a fine strike from distance, albeit one that Cech should have done better with.
City continued to threaten after the opener and it was not long before it extended the lead. Nasri provided an immaculate finish after he was put through on goal by David Silva. The Frenchman duly took the Spaniard's deft pass into his stride before lifting the ball over the despairing Hilario.
Luiz, Oscar and Torres all wasted chances as Chelsea mounted a response before the interval, culminating in Ake hitting the bar from distance with the last kick of the half.
Their pressure told in the second half as, within a minute, afterRamires was put through by his compatriot Luiz, the Brazilian rounded substitute goalkeeper Richard Wright with consummate ease before tucking home to make it 2-1.
As the relentless pace of the game refused to let up, City responded almost instantaneously with a wonderfully worked goal, instigated by a driving run from Jack Rodwell. The midfielder played the ball infield to Milner who, after a delightful exchange with substitute Edin Dzeko, slammed the ball into the far corner with some style.
With almost 20 minutes remaining, the Blues managed to pull another goal back and, once again, it came through the lively Ramires. After Mata fed Torres in the area, the Spaniard shimmied his way past Lescott before finding the Brazilian at the far post with a smart cross that the midfielder converted with ease.
The pace of the game began to tell in the closing stages and Nasri was there to capitalize on some suspect Chelsea defending, waltzing his way past Christensen and Ake after a clever one-two with Dzeko before clipping the ball over Cech beautifully.
Mata ensured that the goals did not end there as, after Ramires was brought down on the edge of the area, the Spaniard swung a delightful free kick into the top corner.
That majestic finish transpired to be little other than consolation though as Dzeko, once again, finished off the contest with a fine strike from distance, albeit one that Cech should have done better with.
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