MANCHESTER, England (AFP) — Chelsea defied Manchester City’s scintillating home form with a superb 1-0 victory at the Etihad Stadium yesterday that injected fresh intrigue into the Premier League title race.

Imperious in recent weeks, City were looking to reclaim top spot from Arsenal and move six points above Chelsea, but it was the visitors who prevailed thanks to a 32nd-minute bullet by Branislav Ivanovic.

City had won all 11 of their previous home league games this season, losing only to European champions Bayern Munich on home turf, while it was the first time they had failed to score at the Etihad in the league since November 2010.

The hosts had been seeking a ninth successive league win, but instead Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea were left to celebrate a home-and-away double, having beaten City 2-1 at Stamford Bridge in October’s reverse fixture.

Despite the result, Mourinho played down his side’s chances of winning the league, insisting City were still the favourites.

“This season is about evolution. We can (win the title) if they (City) lose it,” said the Chelsea manager.

Mourinho also saw his team hit the woodwork on three occasions, but Ivanovic’s vicious strike proved enough as they moved level on points with City, two shy of leaders Arsenal.

City were without top scorer Sergio Aguero due to injury, while Martin Demichelis had to fill in for the injured Fernandinho in central midfield, but the hosts attacked with their usual abandon nonetheless.

Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech was obliged to race to the edge of his area to clear inside the first minute, before Alvaro Negredo rolled Gary Cahill and shot over.

Aleksandar Kolarov whipped in a cross that narrowly eluded Yaya Toure, who then clipped a shot just over from the edge of the box before striding to the byline and teeing up David Silva to sweep an effort narrowly wide.

Edin Dzeko curled off-target after giving David Luiz the slip, but City’s gung-ho advances left them exposed at the back and Joe Hart had to save from Ramires in the 27th minute after a cut-throat Chelsea counter.