Manchester City 1 Chelsea 3: THE FIRST lesson for Manchester City is that, just because you are suddenly the world's richest club, it does not automatically send those of established wealth into a spiral of panic.
Mark Hughes would know that already, of course. So will most of their supporters, but can the same be said of the billionaires back in Abu Dhabi who seem to think it fine to talk about a Champions League finish this season? Top eight, yes. But top four? "We have to be realistic," said Hughes.
The problem for Hughes is men of money are not usually known for their patience. In other words, convincing the Abu Dhabi United Group that worldwide domination might take longer than they had anticipated could be the same as telling John McEnroe he imagined all that chalkdust.
Yet City, remember, cannot spend any more money until January, when it is always difficult to sign top players. So Hughes will have to plough on largely with what he has got, when the evidence from Saturday is that he might have to sacrifice half his current side if City are serious (which they are) about establishing a new Big Five. Republic of Ireland international Richard Dunne, to name but one, has no guarantee of lasting the course, regardless of his status as captain and four-times player of the season.
Others could be forgiven for feeling vulnerable because, after the wonderfully choreographed moment when Robinho announced his arrival in English football by clipping a free-kick past Petr Cech, City learned that the Big Four might not want anyone else at the top table.
Chelsea's comeback was swift, composed and mercilessly executed, comprising three goals and the type of rapid, one-touch football that meant John Terry's red card was the only irritation to Luiz Felipe Scolari.
"It was a dangerous time to play City because of all the razzmatazz around them and the signing of Robinho," said Frank Lampard, the outstanding player on Scolari's team. "He's a great player and will make a real impact. But we're playing some really good football at the moment. The manager has given us a real freedom to express ourselves. It's a different type of football and we've got players who are on the top of their game. Deco has added a different style to our game, John Mikel Obi's fit again and can fill in for [Michael] Essien while Didier [Drogba] has come back to fitness.
"I wouldn't say it was a reminder to City about how far they have to go. If they are as serious as they say, they have a great chance of breaking through. But it won't happen overnight. It didn't happen with us overnight. You can't just throw a load of top players together and get results straight away."
All of which sounded logical, as did Hughes's response when he was asked about a possible Champions League finish. "We have to be realistic," he acknowledged. "Last year we tailed off badly and though we ended up in the top 10 [ninth] it could easily have been lower than that. This is still, give or take a couple of players, the same team as last year."
Those supporters who wore Arab headdresses and Brazil shirts should not be too despondent because the team showed that they will win more than they will lose. Shaun Wright-Phillips was excellent and, presumably, their new Argentinian full back, Pablo Zabaleta, will not always look this unsure.
Ultimately, though, Chelsea had that little bit of extra class. Equalising so quickly, courtesy of Ricardo Carvalho's volley from a badly defended corner, was significant and, after that, Chelsea's display was a marker in excellence. Lampard ran the length of the pitch before sidestepping Dunne to make it 2-1 and Nicolas Anelka then eluded his former team-mate to score Chelsea's third.
It was impressive stuff, although Scolari also faced questions about the way his players reacted when the referee, Mark Halsey, decided Terry's block on Jo, as cynical as it was, amounted to a professional foul. Terry took too long to leave the pitch and, on his way, tried to antagonise the home supporters, but Scolari saw nothing wrong.
"The players didn't understand the decision and it is normal for some to say, 'What is this, what is that?' - but with respect for the referee, not affronting the referee, not bad words. Chelsea players respect what they [the FA] say to us and that the word is respect."
Terry appeared the victim of an injustice given that Carvalho was the last defender, and a ban would rule him out for three matches, starting with Saturday's game against Manchester United. "He wants to play against United and we need him as captain," said Lampard. "You shouldn't take that away for a challenge that's a standard yellow card."
• Guardian Service
