HT: Man City 0-0 Chelsea - Stalemate at Eastlands

Branislav Ivanovic came closest to breaking the deadlock in a disappointing Barclays Premier League clash between Chelsea and Manchester City at Eastlands.

Despite their huge squads, both sides were badly hampered by injury and it seemed to tell in a safety-first attitude, with neither team willing to commit themselves fully to attack.

When Chelsea did briefly shake off their shackles, Alex nodded Florent Malouda's far-post cross into the path of Ivanovic, whose first effort bounced back off the post before Joe Hart saved the Serbian's attempt to steer home the rebound.

Roberto Mancini placed his faith in 19-year-old defender Dedryck Boyata to stand firm in Manchester City's defence against Premier League leaders Chelsea at Eastlands.

With Wayne Bridge failing a pre-match fitness test, and neither Jerome Boateng nor Joleon Lescott considered fit enough for anything more than a place on the bench, Boyata was introduced to the Blues side for only his fourth league appearance.

Chelsea had problems of their own with Frank Lampard still out following his hernia operation and Salomon Kalou missing with a thigh injury.

But the returns of skipper John Terry and Nicolas Anelka to the side that hammered Blackpool last weekend showed the strength at Carlo Ancelotti's disposal.

Chelsea embarked on an early game of keep-ball to try and stifle the enthusiasm of their hosts.

David Silva did launch one long ball beyond the visitors' back-line but Branislav Ivanovic always had the situation under control and James Milner eventually conceded a free-kick trying to win possession.

Even though Carlos Tevez was on his own in the City attack, the Blues were still trying to get the ball to him quickly.

Tevez tried to catch Petr Cech unawares with an early shot after Nigel de Jong had fed a pass through but his 25-yard effort drifted well wide.

Ivanovic sent Pablo Zabaleta tumbling, which offered Milner the chance to curl a free-kick into the Chelsea box which Cech did well to push away from Kolo Toure.

Didier Drogba charged down an attempted clearance from Vincent Kompany, sending the ball sailing wide of the City goal.

Crosses from Zabaleta and Boyata eventually created a half-chance for Milner, whose curled shot hit Michael Essien.

Former City striker Nicolas Anelka fired wide at the other end, although in truth the game was lacking goalmouth incident.

Zabaleta caught Essien with a high tackle after Tevez had failed with an attempt to release Silva with a tricky chip over the Chelsea back four.

Essien was off target with a long-range effort as Chelsea started to push forward with a bit more intent.

John Terry started a flowing move that went the full length of the pitch before Ashley Cole drilled a disappointing cross into De Jong.

Boyata won a corner after a forceful run at Ramires. Milner curled it onto Toure's head but the defender's effort lacked power and Cech dealt with it comfortably.

Didier Drogba was being well shackled by Vincent Kompany, although Boyata and Toure were forced to make important interventions as Ramires tried to make his presence felt.

Chelsea got themselves a corner on the latter occasion, which provided Malouda with an excellent crossing opportunity once Tevez had moved away from the Frenchman, expecting him to return the ball to Drogba.

It offered Malouda the space to curl a cross to the far post, where Alex was able to nod the ball back to Ivanovic, whose header bounced back off the post.

The Serbian got to the rebound first but was unable to beat Joe Hart from six yards.

Toure then slid in to prevent Anelka sliding the ball into a dangerous area as Chelsea maintained their momentum.

Zabaleta was booked for cutting down Ivanovic with a sliding tackle and tempers generally were starting to fray amid a succession of minor skirmishes.

Terry got in front of Tevez to clear Milner's cross low to the near post, then Essien drove a shot well over at the other end.