'It was written in the script' isn't an out of place summary for Frank Lampard facing his former club and pouncing to equalise five minutes from time to deny Chelsea a vital victory at the Etihad final score 1-1.
After a rapture of applause from both sets of supporters, Lampard entered the fray against the side he left in the summer having deservedly accredited legendary status along with becoming the club's highest goalscorer. Chelsea supporters soon followed his arrival chanting "He's not one of you" but may be rethinking that after the former England midfielder prodded home to salvage a point for his new-blue side, Manchester City.
Chances for both sides were fairly even and despite City having more of a threshold on the match, it was Chelsea's for the taking when Zabaleta was dismissed not long after the hour mark. Locking horns with Diego Costa after a challenge was enough for Mike Dean to issue the Argentinian with his second booking of the game and his marching orders.
It wasn't long before Chelsea took full advantage of their one-man advantage over City. Eden Hazard broke forward and supplied the perfect ball to the back post for substitute Andre Schurrle to prod in to give Chelsea the lead.
With the defensive capabilities of their back four in addition with Matic and Obi Mikel in the centre of midfield, Mourinho's side seemed to have the solidity to hold on for the win against City's depleted ten men. However, tiredness and complacency crept in as the game headed into the closing ten minutes. Spaniard, David Silva at Courtois' back post crossed to James Milner who pulled it back for the man Chelsea would have, in previous seasons wanted the ball to.
Frank Lampard put the ball into the bottom left corner opening his account City and salvaging a precious point and leaving a sour taste in the mouth for Chelsea, the fans seeing their once-hero doing what he did so well for the Blues for over a decade.
Chelsea fans were hoping for another hero, Didier Drogba to reproduce his past prolific finishing upon his entry after replacing the so-far consistent Costa. After Mike Dean awarded the Blues a free-kick from 30 yards from Joe Hart's goal, the Ivorian striker stood over the ball envisioning sinking City's ship for one last time yet the ball only blazed high, way off the mark.
Lampard almost made things more problematic for his former boss Mourinho as he attempted a left foot volley near the death, fortunately for Lampard's former-faithfuls to be relieved seeing his shot blocked by a man in deeper blue.
Although a legend coming back to haunt Chelsea, Mourinho's men are still firmly planted at the head of the Premier League table three points clear of closest challengers Aston Villa and Southampton.
Manuel Pelligrini's men now trail Chelsea by five points after dropping points in two consecutive home games, however it is still early days in the 2014/15 season and almost everyone suspects City to battle it with Chelsea until the curtain falls down next May.
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