Chelsea 1-1 Manchester City - Honours even at the Bridge

Jose will be happy with a point from this game

Chelsea preserved their five-point lead at the top of the Premier League as they drew with Manchester City at Stamford Bridge.

It was billed as the biggest Premier League game of the season so far but failed to really live up to the hype. It was a closely-contested and hard-fought clash with chances few and far between.

Loic Remy gave the hosts the lead five minutes before half-time, but City broke back quickly as David Silva had them level in first half injury time.

The Blues had to do without Diego Costa, who was banned for three matches for a stamp on Emre Can during the midweek League Cup semi-final, while Cesc Fabregas was also out through injury, and Jose Mourinho chose to start with Remy rather than Didier Drogba to replace their top scorer.

City made a fast start to the game as Jesus Navas tested Thibaut Courtois in the opening minute, while he also fired wide from inside the box not long after.

It was the visitors who were creating the opportunities in the first half. Sergio Aguero forced another save out of Courtois before the Argentine striker missed a great chance to put City ahead. A long ball was missed by John Terry and that sent Aguero clear. He had only the keeper to beat as he bore down on goal, but ultimately dragged his shot wide of the post.

Chelsea took the lead on 41 minutes with what turned out to be their only shot on target of the entire game. Branislav Ivanovic switched the play to Eden Hazard in the City box and he hit it first time low across the face of the goal to give Remy the simplest opportunity for a tap-in, and the striker duly obliged to justify his selection.

But the visitors responded in great fashion and were level four minutes later. Navas got in behind Cesar Azpilicueta down the City right and his cross was only palmed at by Courtois. The ball landed to Aguero near the edge of the box and his lashed effort towards goal was turned in by Silva.

It was City who controlled most of the second half and had all the opportunities to get a second goal. Fernandinho saw a header saved in comfortable fashion and James Milner saw an effort fly over as the visitors tormented Chelsea, particularly down the flanks, and had their hosts pegged back for long periods.

Mourinho's side looked physically tired and that can be attributed a tough midweek extra-time game with Liverpool, while City had the full week to prepare for this top-of-the-table clash.

Manuel Pellegrini made changes to try to turn City's dominance into a goal, but to no avail, and Frank Lampard was awarded a hero's reception by the majority of the Stamford Bridge crowd when he came on for Fernando on 76 minutes.

Chelsea failed to test Joe Hart at all in the second half and it was a disappointing day for the Blues, as the likes of Hazard, Oscar and Remy were virtual spectators during the second half. City prodded and probed to create an opportunity but failed to create a clear-cut chance to get a winner.

Mourinho sent on Gary Cahill for Remy late on to shut up shop, as he saw Chelsea were second-best and wanted to hold on for a point. Milner had a late chance to give City all three points but flashed an effort across the face of the goal from a tight angle. On a day in which chances were rare, a point looks better for Chelsea as City failed to get a second goal their dominance possibly deserved.