Manchester, England (SportsNetwork.com) - After winning its first 11 home games in the Premier League, Manchester City sustained a 1-0 defeat against Chelsea at the Etihad Stadium on Monday behind a first-half goal from Branislav Ivanovic.
Chelsea's victory moves the Blues level on 53 points with City as both teams trail first-place Arsenal by two points.
David Silva had the first good chance for either side in the 18th minute when he failed to redirect the ball on target from six yards for City.
Ramires forced a good save from City goalkeeper Joe Hart on the break, but the English netminder couldn't keep out a first-time effort from Ivanovic, who fired home a left-footed shot from 20 yards.
Samuel Eto'o nearly added to the lead before the break when he struck the crossbar from eight yards following a low cross from Eden Hazard.
Chelsea continued to pressure and Nemanja Matic was next to go close with a rocket from 25 yards that beat Hart but clipped the crossbar.
A corner kick in the 67th minute was headed off the post by Chelsea's Gary Cahill, but the lone goal was enough as Petr Cech produced a fine stop on a Silva free kick and kept out a late chance from substitute Stevan Jovetic.
