Commendably, after the break, rather than sit back and plant men behind the ball, Hull went in search of the winner.

BBC: Chelsea 0-0 Hull

However, the home side could not build on their bright start, with both teams packing men behind the ball and struggling to establish any passing momentum.

BBC: Rangers 2-0 Werder Bremen

Whether Bolton would have attacked more had Nicolas Anelka been fit is unlikely, as they spent the majority of the game with 10 men behind the ball.

BBC: CHOOSE A SPORT

But fellow Italian Mancini masterminded a gritty City win, frustrating the visitors with a packed midfield and patient approach that involved getting men behind the ball and waiting for Chelsea to over-commit in attack.

BBC: Chelsea will still win Premier League - Roberto Mancini

But despite City boss Stuart Pearce setting his stall out by trying to get as many men behind the ball as possible, there was a sense of the inevitable when the Gunners made the early breakthrough.

BBC: SPORT | Football | Premiership | Arsenal 3-1 Man City