City saved by Chelsea legend Lampard

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Manchester City 1 Chelsea 1

Frank Lampard scored against his former club to salvage a point for 10-man Manchester City – his first goal since joining Chelsea’s title rivals.

Andre Schurrle tapped in at the far post shortly after the 65th-minute sending-off of Pablo Zabaleta for a second bookable offence following a foul on Diego Costa.

Striker Costa, back in the starting line-up after a hamstring problem, was involved in the opening goal, spreading the ball wide to Eden Hazard, whose low cross gave Schurrle a simple finish.

Just as they did at the Etihad Stadium last season, Chelsea defended superbly and took their chance when it came.

But this time City found an equaliser with five minutes remaining courtesy of Chelsea’s record goalscorer.

James Milner volleyed the ball across the box and Lampard arrived to score with a trademark strike.

Chelsea had frustrated City in the first half and continued to keep them at bay after the champions made a rousing start to the second.

Yaya Toure appealed in vain for a penalty after going down under a challenge from Blues defender Branislav Ivanovic.

And Chelsea keeper Thibaut Courtois parried Sergio Aguero’s shot, with Ramires preventing Edin Dzeko scoring with a follow-up.

After Schurrle broke the deadlock, Costa almost doubled the lead when his driven shot smacked against the post.

Lampard didn’t celebrate his goal out of respect for the club where he established himself as a legend during 13 years at Stamford Bridge.

The veteran midfielder might even have gone one better and put City ahead in the dying minutes, but he fired wide.

Chelsea: Courtois; Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Azpilicueta; Ramires (Schurrle 63), Matic; Willian (Mikel 63), Fabregas, Hazard; Costa (Drogba 86).
Subs not used: Cech, Luis, Oscar, Remy.

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