Manchester City kept up the pressure on Premier League leaders Chelsea in a hard fought 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge in saturday's tea time kick off. Although Chelsea failed to win at home for the first time this season the London club's defensive minded approach suggested they were happy with a draw. City manager Manuel Pellegrini on the other hand wasn't as content telling Sky Sports;“You may say it is a good point at Stamford Bridge but for me is it not because we were better than Chelsea. I thought we deserved more than a point because we had clear chances.” Chelsea recorded only three shots on target during the match, their fewest since the season of 2003/04.

Inside the first minute, Jesus Navas drifted past Cesar Azpilicueta and worked Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois with a rising shot, while Fernandinho had a shot deflected wide. Aguero gave Chelsea three scares, obliging Kurt Zouma to make a perfectly timed last-ditch tackle, drawing a parry from Courtois and then rolling a shot a foot wide after John Terry failed to cut out a long ball.

In response, Oscar could only shoot tamely at Joe Hart after Remy had dispossessed Vincent Kompany.

Loic Remy then gave Chelsea a 41st-minute lead. Remy, given a starting spot by Jose Mourinho after in-form striker Diego Costa was handed an immediate three-match ban on Friday for stamping on Emre Can in Chelsea's midweek League Cup semi-final victory at home to Liverpool, justified the Portuguese's faith when he turned in a low cross from Eden Hazard.

But City were level before half-time when Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois's weak punch saw the ball fall to Sergio Aguero, whose shot was diverted into the net by Silva.

Navas proved to be City’s best outlet in the second half, teeing up Fernandinho for a downward header that bounced up and had to be touched over by Courtois and setting up James Milner to loop a header over the bar.

Lampard, Chelsea’s all-time leading goal-scorer, replaced Fernando with 14 minutes to play, while Willian’s injury saw another Stamford Bridge legend enter the fray in the shape of Drogba.

Pellegrini also introduced Edin Dzeko and Stevan Jovetic, but Chelsea held firm, with Milner dragging a late chance wide with his left foot.

Photo: Action Images

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