CHAMPIONS MANCHESTER CITY failed to make inroads into Chelsea’s five-point lead as the Premier League’s top two drew 1-1 at Stamford Bridge.
Jose Mourinho continued his tempestuous relationship with the media by shunning a pre-match interview with Sky Sports – apparently angered by both a £25,000 fine for comments about referees and Diego Costa’s retrospective ban for a stamp on Emre Can during the League Cup semi-final second leg this week.
That indiscretion earned the Spain striker a three-match suspension, but the man to benefit from Costa’s absence - recalled striker Loic Remy - took centre stage.
He gave the hosts a 41st-minute lead, before a rare mistake from Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois allowed David Silva to equalise in the final minute of the first half.
Although Manuel Pellegrini’s team controlled much of the second period, their winless league run extended to three matches.
City overhauled deficits in late runs to the Premier League crown in 2012 and 2014, and a similar effort may now be required, as Mourinho’s men remain in the driving seat with 15 games remaining.
Aside from Costa’s absence, Ramires came into the Chelsea midfield as Cesc Fabregas missed out with hamstring injury, while Bacary Sagna was a surprise inclusion at right-back ahead of Pablo Zabaleta for Manchester City.
The visitors started sharply, as Courtois beat away a stinging shot from Jesus Navas inside the first 20 seconds and Fernandinho had a low, angled drive deflected wide.
James Milner was alert to disposes Chelsea right-back Branislav Ivanovic in the 24th minute and play the ball into Sergio Aguero, but Kurt Zouma forced City’s top scorer to shoot from an acute angle and Courtois saved comfortably.
Courtois’ opposite number, Joe Hart, made his first save of the match from an Oscar effort after an error by Vincent Kompany let Remy escape down the left flank.
John Terry then joined fellow captain Kompany in having an error go unpunished – Aguero pulling a shot wastefully wide after the former England man had missed his kick from a 32nd-minute punt down field.
That was a chance the Argentina striker would regret 10 minutes later, as Eden Hazard brilliantly steered Ivanovic’s flighted pass back across goal for Remy to convert.
City’s response was immediate, as Courtois fumbled a searching Navas cross, Aguero smashed the loose ball back towards goal and Silva prodded home.
Frank Lampard enjoyed warm applause on his return to Stamford Bridge while warming up with the City substitutes, as his colleagues on the field enjoyed an encouraging start the second half.
Silva and Navas combined on the right flank for Fernandinho to plant a header into the turf – Courtois turning the bouncing ball over.
Milner then looped a headed attempt onto the roof of the net, the impressive Navas again supplying the ammunition, and City’s control increased as Chelsea’s midweek League Cup exertions began to tell.
Lampard finally made a 76th-minute introduction as City attempted a late assault.
However, with Mourinho increasingly animated on the touchline, his side displayed steely resilience in keeping with their manager’s siege mentality, as they closed out what could prove a vital point in the title race.
