neutralizing the Premier Leagues most rampant

MANCHESTER, England -- Chelsea delivered a potent mix of defensive resilience and effective counter-attacking in a 1-0 victory over Manchester City on Monday, neutralizing the Premier Leagues most rampant attack to provide a new twist in the title race. Branislav Ivanovic lashed home a fierce 25-yard shot in the 31st minute to end Citys 100 per cent winning record at home in the league and earn Chelsea the double over most pundits favourites for the title. The visitors could have won by more, hitting the goal frame three times and threatening almost every occasion they broke forward. It meant Arsenal returned to the top of the standings, with a two-point lead over City and Chelsea, in what is proving to be a thrilling title race. Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho continues to rule his evolving team out of contention, but few will take him seriously after this performance. "Two horses and a little horse," was Mourinhos description of the title race, which has 14 more matches to run. "A little horse that still needs milk and to learn how to jump. A horse that next season can race." City has been the leagues thoroughbreds this season, winning all 15 of its domestic home games and scoring 115 goals in all competitions. Arsenal, Manchester United and Tottenham -- among others -- have all been crushed at Etihad Stadium this season. A win here would have put six points between City and Chelsea -- to many, the second favourites for the title, despite Mourinhos protestations to the contrary -- but its all to play for now. "I think that for Chelsea it was a decisive game, but not for us," City manager Manuel Pellegrini said. Mourinho is renowned around the football world as the master defensive strategist. Few will forget how his Inter Milan side nullified Barcelona in the 2010 Champions League semifinal at the Camp Nou, while Chelsea has already ground out 0-0 draws at Manchester United and Arsenal this season. It was different here, though. Chelsea counter-attacked with such pace and purpose, and hounded Citys much-lauded ball-players into sloppy mistakes, that the visitors could easily have won by three goals. Samuel Etoo hit the bar and the excellent Nemanja Matic and Gary Cahill struck the post. Bayern Munich is the only team to have beaten City at Etihad Stadium this season and Chelseas supreme display had echoes of that dismantling in the Champions League back in September. It was the first time City failed to score at home in the league since November 2010 -- a streak of 61 matches. The home side badly missed injured top scorer Sergio Aguero but also holding midfielder Fernandinho, who was ruled out at the last minute with a muscle injury. Martin Demichelis -- a centre back -- filled in in central midfield and couldnt stop Chelseas midfielders running amok. "We love it -- we love the big games," said Mourinho, who revealed that he left the clubs masseur, Billy McCulloch, to do the pre-match team talk. "Obviously when you love it, maybe you feel extra motivated for that." Before Ivanovic put Chelsea in front, Ramires had a curling shot saved after running onto a pass from Willian, who had led a 4-on-1 attack on Citys beleaguered defence. The goal arrived soon after, with City captain Vincent Kompany diving to block Ramires shot but seeing the ball squirt out to Ivanovic, who drove a powerful first-time shot with his left foot into the bottom corner. And moments before halftime, Eden Hazard skirted round Pablo Zabaleta and crossed for Etoo to smash a shot against the top of the bar. Citys defensive frailties were being exposed but the hosts were also quiet -- by their standards -- going forward. Alvaro Negredo was virtually anonymous, although Pellegrini later said the striker wasnt 100 per cent, and the only attacking thrusts were provided by Yaya Toure, who curled one shot over, set up David Silva for a great chance that was glanced just wide and just missed a fizzing cross from Aleksandr Kolarov. Mourinho had City just where he wanted them -- and it almost got worse for Pellegrinis side when Matic strode forward and crashed a 30-yard effort against the post. Cahill then leapt to meet Willians corner with a header that cannoned off the post, further incensing the home crowd. City was reeling but finished strongly, with Silva denied by Petr Cech from a free kick then sidefooting wide from Kolarovs cross. And in the final seconds, substitute Stevan Jovetics long-range shot was tipped over by Cech. But Mourinho and Chelsea finally showed just how City can be stopped. Custom Arizona Cardinals Jerseys . Orlando is to begin play in the MLS for the 2015 season. 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Chief prosecutor Gerrie Nel also accused Pistorius of tailoring his testimony to fit the evidence at the scene. Pistorius denied the accusations. Nel alleged that the Olympic runner changed his aim with his 9 mm pistol to ensure that he hit Steenkamp as she fell back against a magazine rack in a toilet cubicle.The Ottawa Senators have lost three games in a row as they continue their road trip against the Arizona Coyotes. They suffered their most recent set back on Thursday when they fell 5-2 to the Colorado Avalanche. Just put your head down and get to the net, coach Dave Cameron told the teams official website. It hasnt been a matter of not having enough good offense, its just a matter of getting dirty, getting in there and getting different shots, getting sticks on pucks. I need some of my bigger guys to play bigger. You can listen to the game live on TSN Radio 1200 Ottawa at 5pm et. That also applies on the power play, where Ottawa is 0 for 29 over the last eight games. Arizonas penalty kill was 7 for 7 against the Jets, but it ranks 29th in the league at 75.2 percent. The little offense Camerons club has produced lately has often come from Bobby Ryan, who scored for the fifth time in as many games against the Avalanche. The Senators scoring struggles could be a bonus for Mike Smith. The Arizona goaltender is seeking some sort of consistency after making 34 saves against Winnipeg. Including that game, Smith is 2-5-0 with a 4.25 goals-against average over his last eight contests. Craig Anderson will be back in net for Ottawa after allowing three goals on nine shots against the Avalanche before being pulled. Hes otherwise been impressive lately with a 1.98 GAA on a 4-2-2 stretch. Were all human, we all make mistakes, said Anderson, who has dropped seven of his last eight games against Arizona. Youre not going to be at your best every single night. Clearly I wasnt at my best. It happens. Senators forward Mark Stone will face brother and Arizona defenseman Michael Stone for the first time in the NHL. Mark has scored in two of his last three games and recalls facing his brother in juniors and the AHL. EEvery time there was an event somebody was going home (ticked) off, Mark said.dddddddddddd Im sure it will be the same on Saturday night. Ottawa forward Milan Michalek wont face his brother, Arizona defenseman Zbynek Michalek, who wont return from an upper-body injury that sidelined him against the Jets. Shane Doan will be equipped with a microphone for the Arizona Coyotes, which is something the team might have given a second thought before allowing in previous months home games. The Coyotes, though, havent had as much of a need for choice words while winning five of six at home, a run of success they could very well extend Saturday against the reeling Senators. Arizona (16-20-4) was 4-8-2 on home ice prior to the recent span, which includes Thursdays 4-1 win over Winnipeg on the third date of a six-game homestand. The loss on this stay - 6-0 to St. Louis on Tuesday - felt like a return to early December. The challenge was to be better and have a little bit of pride, Doan said after recording a goal and two assists in the win over the Jets. It was embarrassing last game at home. Doan will be wearing a microphone Saturday to enhance the local Fox Sports affiliates broadcast, and he might be in a celebratory mood if his teammates can keep producing the way they have. Mikkel Boedker had two goals and an assist Thursday, while Oliver Ekman-Larsson scored his eighth goal in 16 games. His 11 for the season are among the most in the league among defensemen. Antoine Vermette added two assists and had three goals and two assists in two games last season against Ottawa, his former team, which could use some offensive help. Coyotes forward Martin Hanzal (upper body) will miss a third straight game. The clubs split two games last season, with each visiting team winning 4-3 in overtime. 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