Beyond the distraction of the 'John Terry-Wayne Bridge would-he won't-he handshake', Saturday saw an EPL game and Chelsea went down. And perhaps too did there title hopes.
Indeed, Manchester City's 4-2 win over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in Saturday's early Premier League kick-off certainly was a result which will be noticed everywhere.
The home side looked in control in a first-half which lacked anything special before Chelsea finally took the lead courtesy of Frank Lampard's neat finish.
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But with the Blues preparing to go into the break with a healthy lead, Carlos Tevez drove forward pouncing on a sequence of Chelsea errors, before sneaking a mishit shot into the back of the net.
The reaction around the ground said it all as Chelsea players and fans threw their heads back in disbelief.
What was to follow left Chelsea without the answers.
Another Chelsea mistake allowed Craig Bellamy in to put City ahead early in the second-half.
Suddenly after two errors, the Premier League leaders, hoping to extend their advantage at the top of the table this weekend, were 2-1 down.
They needed to respond. But they didn't seem to know how.
Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti said after the game: "We were focused on the game and played a good first half.
"We made a mistake at the end of the first half and the start of the second half and that is why we lost the game."
But their response at 2-1 wasn't good enough.
The best chances the Blues could create were mostly long-range efforts and City stopper Shay Given was more than up to that task.
Ancelotti and Chelsea needed to come up with something and you sensed they might do so, considering in-form Didier Drogba's seemingly optimistic body language. Normally, Chelsea would turn to Drogba in this situation, but it didn't happen this time.
But when Juliano Belletti clipped the heels of Carlos Tevez in the box, City grabbed a penalty and the Brazilian saw red, before the Argentine completed the double-blow by converting the spotkick.
Down by two goals and with a man down, Chelsea were gone.
Michael Ballack's cynical second booking said it all as well, highlighting his side's frustration when he was given his marching orders on 81 minutes.
Bellamy added a fourth, before Lampard pulled one back from the spot.
Ancelotti went on: "We are not happy because we lost a game where we had a good performance in the first half.
"It was not a good day and we have to look forward. We are top of the league but it will be more difficult for us.
"I have confidence in this team and we are having a good season."
Injured goalkeeper Petr Cech's absent was felt with his deputy Hilario not having the best day and that's a worry with the Czech stopper out for the next month.
Ancelotti responded: "I don't want to criticise him because all the team lost balance when we conceded."
And with Ghanaian rock Michael Essien still on the sidelines, Manchester United will be very enthused by this result.
You sense it says more about Chelsea's frailty than Manchester City's brilliance. The Sky Blues remain too inconsistent to challenge, but Chelsea have their problems.
And while Ancelotti may argue this just wasn't their day, they can't afford too many more off-days. There are worries which need fixing, so Ancelotti has work to do.
Five Must-See Football Matches This Weekend
Here’s the weekly guide for which football matches NOT to miss this weekend as Europe’s top leagues head towards a climax.
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Sports Pundit’s Game of the Weekend
Aston Villa v Manchester United
English Carling Cup
Sunday, 4pm (Central European Time)
The Carling Cup final takes place this Sunday, with last season’s winners Manchester United taking on five-time champs Aston Villa at the new Wembley Stadium.
The Red Devils will be the favourites with Wayne Rooney in sparkling form but Villa, currently 7th in the Premier League, are a good side and manager Martin O’Neill enjoys this competition. Don’t forget, Villa beat and drew with United this season in the league too.
Rangers v Celtic
Scottish Premier League
Sunday, 1.30pm (CET)
Every Old Firm clash gets the blood boiling in Glasgow, and Sunday’s match will be no different despite Rangers enjoying a firm upper-hand in the current SPL title race. Rangers are seven points ahead of Celtic, with the Gers also holding a game in hand. But, as per usual, both sides will desperately want to win.
Chelsea v Manchester City
English Premier League
Saturday, 1.45pm (CET)
With champions Manchester United not playing in the league this weekend, leaders Chelsea get the chance to extend their advantage at the top of the table to four points. But the visit of fifth-placed Manchester City won’t be easy. Didier Drogba may be firing and Frank Lampard may be back, but there are no guarantees against cashed-up City.
Udinese v Inter Milan
Italian Serie A
Sunday, 3pm (CET)
Inter’s ordinary Serie A run of three draws in a row can be forgotten this weekend when they travel to Udine to face struggling Udinese. But a change of coach may have happened at the wrong time for Inter, with Pasquale Marino taking over at Udinese this week. With Serie A topscorer Antonio Di Natale in the side, Udinese could be ready for an upset.
Bayern Munich v Hamburger SV
German Bundesliga
Sunday, 5.30pm (CET)
Last weekend the Bundesliga title race took an interesting turn with the leading pair both drawing after an impressive run of wins. Bayern will hope to return to winning ways on Sunday, but the visit of fourth-placed Hamburg SV will be tough. Bayern, though, are undefeated at home in the league this season and in-form. HSV did travel to the Netherlands midweek, which may help the Bavarians.
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