Half-time: Chelsea 1 Manchester City 1

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David Silva equalised for Manchester City in the big game at Stamford Bridge three minutes after Loic Remy had put the hosts ahead.

Remy, in for the suspended Diego Costa, side-footed home four minutes before the break.

Branislav Ivanovic crossed to Eden Hazard, whose low ball across the face of goal enabled Remy to take his tally for the season to five.

Premier League leaders Chelsea, who are without the injured Cesc Fabregas, will go eight points clear of second-placed City if they win.

But they were pegged back just before the interval, Silva diverting Sergio Aguero’s shot into the net after Thibaut Courtois had failed to clear Jesus Navas’ cross.

City had threatened during a frenetic start and Aguero had their best early chance.

After Chelsea appealed in vain for a penalty for a handball by Martin Demichelis, City cleared and Blues skipper John Terry misjudged the long ball, allowing Ageuro through on goal only for the striker to shoot wide.

Earlier, Chelsea keeper Courtois kept out a strike from Navas and rare mistakes by Ivanovic twice almost led to a City goal.

Fernandinho’s deflected shot flew just wide after Ivanovic had given the ball away and the Serbian defender found himself in trouble again when James Milner robbed him and teed up Aguero, whose effort was parried by Courtois.

Chelsea began to get a foothold in the game and Terry sent a header wide before they eventually broke the deadlock.

But City responded swiftly to leave the game finely poised.

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