
In a matchup of money vs. more money, the old money (relatively speaking, as it’s just a few years old, of course) won out on Saturday. With second-half goals from Frank Lampard and Nicolas Anelka, Chelsea stomped out the annoying Manchester City club that cost them their would-have-been prize catch – Robinho – 3-1 away from Stamford Bridge to keep pace with Liverpool atop the EPL standings.
It was optimistic to think City could transform itself immediately into a title contender with the new owners throwing cash at everything the moves (and God knows what else), but this was an interesting first game to judge whether they could become good enough to join the Top 4 by the end of the season and qualify for the Champions League (drawing in more big names in the process).
Obviously they have a ways to go, and while it’s way too early to judge based solely on this game, perhaps certainly we shall see movement from this camp during the January transfer window. On the plus side, they got a goal from the Brazilian wonder boy in his first game, and all EPL fans can look forward to watching the quality player every week from now on.