A case for the defence: Chelsea will bounce back from Etihad misery

The knives have been out for John Terry after he was substituted for the first time by Jose Mourinho in the Premier League. But Chelsea’s problems began further forward on the pitch – just look at how they were set up. Ramires was deployed on the right, not in the centre alongside Nemanja Matic – where many had predicted he would start in an effort to shield the defence. This was something they became adept at last season, especially in the big games, before counter-attacking impressively.

So the Ramires decision was more about shackling City’s £49million man, Raheem Sterling, on City’s left. However, by putting the Brazilian workhorse in front of Branislav Ivanovic to double up on the winger it left Cesc Fabregas alongside Matic. The Spaniard’s poor positioning led directly to chances for Sergio Aguero early on and left Terry and fellow centre-back Gary Cahill exposed to his pace, with David Silva also able to pick his passes with ease. Any team in the world would struggle when Aguero is given a run at them. Remember his hat-trick against Bayern Munich anyone?

Mourinho will not make this mistake again. Against weaker teams, where Chelsea hog possession, Fabregas will run the game in front of the defence. Against top-class sides, he's a luxury in that position and must be moved further forward... or to the bench.

Jose Mourinho said after the game that he replaced his captain with Kurt Zouma at half-time because he needed his quickest defenders on the pitch. And, as unlikely as this may sound, it may have been a rare piece of straight-talking from the self-proclaimed Special One.

Let me explain. When going a goal behind, Mourinho needed to attack and put pressure back on City, not just soak it up. To do this, a higher defensive line and his quickest players, were needed. Now, Terry is an expert at organising a disciplined defence and leading a team, but has never been blessed with a lot of pace. So the Zouma call was right. Although Chelsea conceded two more goals – one was from a corner and the other came from a failure to clear their lines. None came directly from a quick counter-attack.

Only being substituted once in 178 games by Mourinho is a staggering stat. It just shows the faith that the Portuguese coach has in Terry. And that will not waver much after just one game. For the big matches, he will still be there marshalling the defence. Yes, City was a big game, but circumstances dictated that he had to be sacrificed.

Terry can’t go on forever of course, and they have already begun succession planning by targeting Everton’s John Stones. But if Mourinho thought his captain was not up to the task, he would not have handed him a new deal at the end of last season. Look at Frank Lampard, he was allowed to leave as Mourinho thought he would hamper the development of younger players in the squad, such as Eden Hazard. There was no room for sentiment.

As long as Terry has someone alongside him with pace, he will warrant a place in the side. Look at Paolo Maldini, he played until he was 40 for AC Milan. Terry is only 34. He’s a controversial character, who attracts a lot of scrutiny, but in pure football terms, he’s still one of the best defenders in the league. And, judging by the scowl on his face as he sat on the bench for the second half on Sunday, he’ll want to prove it. Yet again.

Terry, Branislav Ivanovic and Gary Cahill were all in the PFA Team of the Season last campaign. It’s ridiculous to write them off after two games this time around. The fourth member of the quartet, the unheralded Cesar Azpilicueta has just sent Filipe Luis - a La Liga winner in 2014 – packing back to Atletico Madrid.

Of course, Ivanovic was at fault for Vincent Kompany’s headed goal from a corner, when he was outmuscled by the Belgian, as well as the third strike when he gave the ball away. Cahill also seemed to panic for Aguero’s opener.

But these attacking players are two of the best in the world and playing in a City side who have started the season in top gear. They strolled past West Brom and have been invigorated by their new arrivals – especially Sterling – and the motivation to prove their class once again after a lacklustre campaign last time around.

In contrast, this was Mourinho’s joint biggest defeat in the Premier League along with a 3-0 loss to Middlesbrough in 2005/06 and another 3-0 defeat against West Brom in 2014/15. As it happens, Tony Pulis’ side are Chelsea’s next opponents – they travel to The Hawthorns on Sunday. Just don’t expect another away-day loss. In fact, Terry to score a header from the first corner of the game, anyone?

Chelsea had an off day against City. Every team has them. The difference is that Mourinho’s sides usually have fewer than the rest.