In the build-up to the game, midfielder Frank Lampard suggested the malaise at Stamford Bridge resembled the dying days of the Luis Felipe Scolari regime.

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The roving runs of left-back Ashley Cole were an early feature of the Stamford Bridge side's play and he firstly laid the ball across for Frank Lampard to shoot wide before finding the side-netting with an angled shot after two well-worked moves.

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Late goals from Juliano Belletti and Frank Lampard condemned City to a 2-1 defeat at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

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