Half-Time Report: Branislav Ivanovic gives Chelsea lead over Manchester City

Branislav Ivanovic has given Chelsea a slender 1-0 lead over Manchester City in tonight's Premier League clash at the Etihad Stadium.

The hosts came close to breaking the deadlock after just 10 minutes when Aleksandar Kolarov fired a dangerous cross into the box, but it just eluded Yaya Toure at the back post.

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Toure was involved again shortly afterwards as he powered his way forward from midfield before picking out David Silva with a cross, but the Spaniard's flick from six yards out went the wrong side of the post.

Samuel Eto'o then found space to work with on the left side of the City area, but his shot was straight at Joe Hart, who gathered comfortably.

At the other Edin Dzeko also created room to shoot from the edge of the box, but he couldn't steer his effort on target and curled it past the post.

The visitors had a good chance to break the deadlock in the 27th minute when Willian led a four-on-one break for Chelsea, but Ramires shot straight at Hart before the former sent a bicycle kick high over the bar.

Chelsea did take the lead five minutes later, however, as Ivanovic drilled the ball into the bottom corner after Ramires's blocked effort had fallen to the defender 20 yards from goal.

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Dzeko had a slight opening four minutes before the break when he collected a corner from the right, but he could only fire his shot over the bar.

It could have been 2-0 right on the stroke of half time as Eden Hazard's cross found Eto'o, who fired a first-time strike that cracked against the woodwork with Hart beaten.