In yesterday’s Premier League clash of the titans Chelsea and Manchester City drew 0-0 at the Etihad Stadium.

Rafael Benitez’s debut as Chelsea manager was marred by support for former-boss Roberto Di Matteo and banners suggesting that the Spaniard isn’t wanted at the club.

The game itself wasn’t much to write home about, despite it promising to deliver so much. The best chance of the first half fell to City striker Sergio Aguero, who headed straight at Petr Cech when well placed.

City were the better side in the first half and Chelsea in the second half. The game is more likely to be remembered for the protests than the events on the pitch. The draw left City one point behind arch-rivals Manchester United at the top of the table. Chelsea are five points behind.

Elsewhere, Southampton recorded a 2-0 victory over Newcastle at St Mary’s. Striker Rickie Lambert hit the angle of the bar and post with a free-kick from 25 yards, before the Saints took the lead on 34 minutes.

Gaston Ramirez played the ball to fellow midfielder Adam Lallana, who fired into an empty net. It was 2-0 on 60 minutes. Newcastle keeper Tim Krul spilled a cross from Jason Puncheon and Ramirez was there to bundle the ball over the line.

The victory took the Saints out of the relegation zone and they recorded back-to-back victories for the first time this season. Newcastle are now just four points above the drop zone and a minority of their fans were even calling for boss Alan Pardew’s head.

Swansea and Liverpool drew 0-0 at the Liberty Stadium in the early kick-off. The game was a very tight affair. Liverpool had a goal from Jose Enrique ruled out and also hit the cross bar through Raheem Sterling, but in the end neither side could make the breakthrough.

In the other game of the day Tottenham defeated West Ham 3-1 at White Hart Lane. The Spurs goals came from a brace by Jermain Defoe and a Gareth Bale effort. West Ham’s consolation goal was scored by on-loan Andy Carroll, his first for the club.

Will Rafael Benitez be a success at Chelsea?