With a 1-0 win at the Etihad Stadium Chelsea and Mourinho have marked what could prove to be a significant plot twist in ths year's tale of the title.
Tonight was the chance to be the first ManchesterCity side in history to win 9 league games in a row. It was a chance to go to the top of the Premier League, it was an opportunity to defeat the side who, most believe, are their only realistic challengers for the title. It was the first time they didn’t score at home in a league game since November 2010.
A goal from Branislav Ivanovic on 32 minutes silenced the home crowd, when a rebounded Ramires shot fell outside the area and Ivanovic sent it low and hard past Joe Hart.
From that point on it was a display worthy of fouling City’s unblemished home league record and at half-time Chelsea could have been on two or three, with Eto’o striking the post the highlight of an excellent 45 minutes for Chelsea.
Chelsea hit the woodwork again early in the second half when Nemanja Matic hit the bar from outside the box. Fifteen minutes later Gary Cahill rose to connect with a corner and sent the City woodwork into its not familiar rattle. Mourinho’s side were making the previously invincible City hang on at home.
City were not without response and Cech was stretched to save a shot from David Silva.
Chelsea could have closed the game out in the 85th minute, when Nastasic dragged Oscar down in the centre circle. The Brazilian was through on the City goal and with Eden Hazard lurking nearby when the Serb pulled him down. Referee Mike Dean showed a yellow and had City pulled one back it would have been all Jose talked about.
Time proved it to be immaterial and the conversation around the Premier League title now looks altered in a very certain way. City’s aura is dented, Mourinho’s is as strong as ever
