The Togolese striker was in the wrong place at the wrong time to divert the ball into his own net after Shay Given did well to parry a fierce shot from former Blues star Nicolas Anelka.
But Manu bounced back with the crucial equaliser, pouncing on Shaun Wright-Phillips’ driven cross-shot to pave the way for Carlos Tevez’s second-half winner from a free kick.
City moved up to sixth place in the table with a game in hand and key figure Emmanuel Adebayor was a picture of happiness and relief - thanks in part to a little help from his friends.
He said: “These things happen in football and you just have to keep thinking positive. I was unhappy at the own goal but my team-mates were very supportive.
“They knew that it was a difficult moment for me and they said, ‘Come on, you have the ability to score a goal for us’. And that’s what I’ve done.”
John Terry, a summer target for City boss Mark Hughes, was fuming on a day when Chelsea had a penalty saved at 2-1, and he complained to the ref that Adey’s equaliser involved a handball.
Adebayor said: “John Terry wasn’t happy about my goal, but I don’t care - I wasn’t happy about theirs either! He’s one of the best players around and he’s a winner, that’s why he was upset.
“We had gone a long time without a win in the Premier League and we knew it would be tough. It was tough, but we won, so we’re happy. What is most important is the three points.
For us, the most important thing during the recent run was keeping our confidence and enjoying our football. Any football team goes through difficult moments during a season.
...Emmanuel Adebayor
“Beating Arsenal in midweek and keeping a clean sheet was important. Kolo Toure and Joleon Lescott defended well, and we shouldn’t forget Shay’s performance either, he’s one of the best.”
And that top four target? “We will carry on to the end, we won’t give up - we’ll keep playing for a top four place until the last kick. It will be difficult, but we believe we can do it.”
