Hammo

Very true. Risks a retrospective diving ban, which is a worry.

Ndidi's best game for us. He was immense. Bossed Kante! Great team effort. Had the measure of them until the red card, which was beyond harsh. A 'bonus' point that we'd all have taken pre-match (first home points Chelsea have dropped for ages). And an excellent, highly encouraging performance that bodes well for the rest of the season.

That's No 1 on the wish list, I agree. But, failing that....

Several guarantees: 1) It will be an uncomfortable watch - especially whenever Chelsea have a corner 2) Vardy will be isolated 3) Kante will rule midfield 4) Chelsea will score from at least one set piece 5) Hazard will take the piss out of Amartey (but we'll always have a soft spot for him after 'that' goal v Spurs) 6) Whatever the result we'll still be eighth (and still in the FA Cup) ?

Up here in the Ashby area it's definitely Derby that are the most hated rival (though for some strange reason the area is full of Liverpool 'fans' too). I imagine in south Leics it's Cov and north Leics it's Forest, no?

Assume the top five in the Prem will all go through, which is good news for our Europa League qualifying hopes (i.e. if we finish seventh and the two domestic cups are won by teams above us).

Cheer up everyone. We played like raw sewage but had a massive stroke of luck at the end so obviously... "Our name's on the Cup" ?

Head tennis and hoofball at its finest. Ah, the magic of the FA Cup.

I see games like this when I'm walking the dog on the local park. Only the pitches are flatter.

Two bits of additional advice for fans travelling up for the early kick-off: 1) Go Your Own Way 2) Don't Stop

Maguire's v Man United had me going mental in a way I can't remember since Walshie's v Arsenal. Does Hazard's v Spurs count??

Way to go, bud!

It's a toss up between our Striker, our Keeper, our Captain and our Genius. Got to give it to Jamie though. Our Talisman.

I mentioned this before in another thread, but if we qualify for the EuropaLeague via seventh place (a not unrealistic possibility) then if we were to reach the final in Baku there would be TEN away trips in total (and of course ten home games) over a ten-month period. One little holiday to a far-flung part of the continent per month. Bit of a dreamy scenario, I know, but I seem to recall that we did something considerably more remarkable a couple of years ago...

Perhaps not the 'best' Leicester player I've ever seen (in 50 years) but unquestionably the most naturally gifted. Would surely get in every City fan's all-time greatest XI. If and when he leaves, it will be a sad day.

Mahrez' brilliant goal transformed the game. That's what pure quality gives you. The second half thereafter was a joy to watch, and as an appetiser for what's to come Adrien Silva's six minutes or so were Michelin-star tasty. James did OK today, but on that early evidence he'll be lucky to get another start with Silva around.

Defeats are always difficult to stomach - especially after going 1-0 up - but it's a decent consolation to go into the New Year in eighth. Losing today was kind of inevitable but I hope the gamble of playing our best team does not backfire because the players have only two days to rest and we simply have to beat Huddersfield. That game is now pivotal to our whole season.

Puel's halftime teamtalk: Keep. The. Ball.

I think most of us would sacrifice defeat in this for victory at home to Huddersfield 48 hours later and 30 points on the board at the end of the festive break. Therefore let's give our FA Cup team a run out to practise for Fleetwood and give the first-teamers a rest until New Year's Day - at least from the starting XI.

You are quite right, but the concession of those set pieces was brought about by our midfield - in which King was anonymous and Ndidi his usual erratic self - being outmuscled/bypassed and unnecessary pressure being put on our defence, in which our full backs were lamentable.

Chilwell's performance in the second half was the worst by any City player this season. Disturbing.

One of the most euphoric moments I've experienced in 50 years of following City. Similar to Walshie's late equaliser v Arsenal in the 3-3 draw in 1997. best Christmas present ever!

Missed opportunity. That Man City team was there for the taking. Penalty shootouts - don't you just hate them. They always leave me feeling utterly miserable.

When Man City have possession, they create nothing. We only come under threat when we give them the ball - often under no pressure. It was the same against Palace. We have to cut out these stupid unforced errors. If it's still 0-1 with 25 minutes left, bring on the cavalry...

A savage result and a very forgettable performance. In fact, I've forgotten about it already. Bad day at the office. We're still eighth. Fix the problems, lads, and move on. You'll be up for the next two games, I know you will.