Chelsea's unbeaten start to the season came to an end as they were defeated at their own game, losing 1-0 to Manchester City at the City of Manchester Stadium.

The masters of grinding out results - 1-0 winners on four occasions in the Premiership this season - Chelsea found the boot on the other foot when they went behind after 10 minutes, and they were unable to rise to the challenge.

Nicolas Anelka, so often City's key player, scored the winner from the penalty spot after he had been brought down by Paulo Ferreira.

A slip from William Gallas left the Chelsea defence exposed and gave Paul Bosvelt time to clip a delicate pass over the top to Anelka.

The Frenchman was sent sprawling by Ferreira's challenge but the ball was skipping away from him, sparing the Portuguese defender an early bath.

After falling behind, Chelsea took the game to their hosts, but were largely restricted to shooting from distance by a City defence which was superb to a man.

Frank Lampard, who got lucky with a deflected long range shot for England against Wales last weekend, was not so fortunate here, as he tried to beat David James from outside the area on three occasions.

The first, from a free-kick, took a wicked deflection off Eidur Gudjohnsen which wrong-footed the City keeper, who could only kick the ball against the on-rushing Mateja Kezman. The home side's luck held, as the ball cannoned off Kezman's chest and inches wide of James' right-hand post.

Lampard led a spirited Chelsea charge at the start of the second half and within three minutes he had forced a fine save out of James, who dived full length to touch the ball against a post.

Moments later James thwarted the England midfielder once again, as he turned another 25-yard attempt wide for a corner.

Chelsea dominated possession for long spells but were unable to find a way through a tightly packed City defence until Lampard fed Gudjohnsen 10 minutes from time.

The Icelandic striker, who settled this fixture last season, seemed certain to score from 10 yards, but inexplicably sliced his shot well off target.

City had their chances too on the break, and Jon Macken almost gave them extra breathing space after being set up by a wonderful piece of work by Shaun Wright-Phillips, but his low shot went just the wrong side of a post.

Ultimately it would not cost Kevin Keegan's side, as Chelsea failed the test they are so adept at setting for their opponents.