Chelsea 1-1 Manchester City: 5 Talking Points

Chelsea entertained Manchester City having a 5-point lead at the top prior to the match. City, who were missing Yaya Toure and Wilfried Bony, were winless since New Year’s day. The hosts came into this match on the back of a gruelling 120-minute match against Liverpool.Although Jose Mourinho’s men couldn’t increase the lead, they made sure an impressive City couldn’t decrease it either. Buoyed by the return of Sergio Aguero, the visitors toiled hard, but failed to get the vital three points, which they may have deserved.Here are the major talking points from the clash between England’s richest clubs:

#1 Caution takes precedence over creativity

This was supposed to be the biggest game in this season’s Premier League. A record audience was supposed to tune into the game between City and Chelsea, two clubs who have dominated the league in the last few years. It was supposed to be a game between the league's two best attacks. Instead, like many big games involving Chelsea, goals were at a premium and it was the defences that came out on top.

With so much riding on the game, both teams were understandably cautious and as the game wore on, it became clear that Mourinho was happy with a point. Five points ahead at the top, you wouldn't blame him for doing that, but it wasn't the game the record audience was looking for. There was no goal for Sergio Aguero, not too many fancy tricks from Eden Hazard, instead, a game of very few chances and a result that both managers can be relatively pleased about.

#2 Pellegrini can take heart from City\'s performance

Even though they failed to get the win that they came for, Manuel Pellegrini can still be pleased with his side, especially the performance of his players. After two disastrous results at home, against Arsenal in the league and Middlesbrough in the FA Cup, the least the Chilean would have wanted is a performance that the fans could be proud of. That is exactly what they gave on Saturday, as City defended with discipline and showed just why they had won two of the last three league titles.

With the likes of Yaya Toure and Wilfried Bony to come back from the African Cup of Nations and other key players set to return to full fitness in the next few weeks, City will certainly have the firepower they lacked today, to run Chelsea close, right till the end.

#3 Absentees blunt Chelsea\'s attack

Given the quality of the Chelsea squad, the absence of Cesc Fabregas and Diego Costa shouldn't have made a huge difference. Loic Remy, who came in for the suspended Costa, did a brilliant job and showed the depth of striking talent at Mourinho's disposal. But it was Fabregas, who was missed more by the hosts.

Last season, one of the problems the Blues had, was breaking down solid defences. In Fabregas, they finally found a player who could create from midfield and without him, Nemanja Matic and Ramires struggled to do too much going forward. It wasn't just the Spaniard's creativity, but his delivery from set-pieces was visibly missing from the Blues.

With so much threat in the air, the hosts struggled to take advantage of it against City, because of a lack of quality of the cross. And although Chelsea can cope without Costa, they need Fabregas back in central midfield as soon as possible.

#4 Will City be left to rue a missed opportunity?

Last season, Chelsea went to the Etihad and ended their perfect record and on Saturday, City did the same. Had they lost, the Blues would have extended their lead to eight points, which, even with a quarter of the season to go, looked like it would be an unassailable lead. A victory on the other hand, would have brought them to within two points off Chelsea. And although a draw doesn't do them any harm, it doesn't do them any good as well. Especially, given their dominance in the game and the amount of possession they enjoyed.

In the second half, Chelsea were camped in their own half, but City's expensively assembled attack failed to create any noteworthy opportunity. In doing so, they let a golden opportunity, one that might even cost them the title, slip through their grasps.

#5 City need to hold onto Milner

Often lost in the midst of much more glamorous, flashy players is James Milner. When City paid Aston Villa £26 million to secure his signature in 2010, eyebrows were raised about whether he was worth that kind of money. The Englishman, who turned 29 this month, has been an integral part of City's success in the past few years. His technical ability and versatility makes him a player that City can't afford to lose out on.

Against Chelsea, he put it another brilliant performance, first on the left wing, contributing both offensively and defensively, then moving into central midfield when Lampard came on, to provide balance. With his contract set to run at the end of the season, City must make a move now or else run the risk of losing such a consistent and versatile performer for nothing in the summer.