Man City 1-1 Chelsea
An equaliser from City sub Frank Lampard against the club he insists will always be in his heart saw the points shared at an emotionally charged Eastlands.
Andre Schurrle had earlier given Chelsea the lead against 10-man City, after the sending of of Pablo Zabaleta, in a contest that took some time to come alive – but was packed with late action.
Chelsea had a very edgy opening to proceedings – particularly at the back, where they tended to look vulnerable whenever City advanced.
For large swathes of the first half, they looked penned-in within their own final third – rarely making it over the half way line.
But for all their effort – Manuel Pellegrini's side made little actual impact.
A header on goal by Yaya Toure was about as close as they got – it being far to soft to trouble Thibaut Courtois.
On the rare occasions Chelsea made it up the other end, things tended to fizzle out.
Their one real effort came from a corner – Branislav Ivanovic heading on for the outstretched leg of Diego Costa, but just rolling past it.
There was a shout for a Chelsea penalty when a Cesc Fabregas free kick was headed by Gary Cahill on to the arm of Toure – but Mike Dean saw nothing to concern him.
The same order persisted after the break, with City looking well in charge.
That was until 67 minutes, and the referee's intervention.
Pablo Zabaleta, on a yellow card, overturned Costa with an outstretched leg. That on its own was probably a second yellow, but he seemed to half-cuff Costa as he stood.
City were reduced to 10, and Chelsea wasted absolutely no time in making the deficit count.
It was possible to see the switch in Chelsea's game almost immediately as they swept upfield following the development they seemed to be awaiting.
Ivanovic, as so often this season in the midst of an attacking move, passed to Costa – who himself put it left to Eden Hazard.
The Belgian advanced, before sending an arced pass cross the face of Joe Hart's goal for sub Andre Schurrle to turn in.
City were chasing the game, and the introduction of Lampard 11 minutes before the end made perfect sense.
With 84 minutes on the clock, in a move that was classic Lampard, the ex-Chelsea man appeared at the edge of the Blues' box to beat John Terry to a ball, and put it past Courtois.
Lampard refused to celebrate, and was instantly engulfed by his new team mates.
And that, after four edgy minutes of added time in which both sides came close, was how it ended.
Lampard, man of the moment, went over to the Chelsea end – who had sung his name since his introduction. He returned the favour – applauding the crowd. It was an incredible moment to see.
Chelsea will certainly take the point at the home of the champions – but this was so close to being three, as it was last season.
Just how vital will that Lampard goal be to either side come May? Only time will tell.
Chelsea: Courtois, Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Azpilicueta, Ramires (Mikel 62), Matic, Willian (Schurrle 62), Fabregas, Hazard, Diego Costa (Drogba 85) Subs not used: Cech, Filipe Luis, Oscar, Remy
