Manchester City 2 Chelsea 1: Tevez inspires Blues to crucial comeback victory

Mobbed: Manchester City celebrate their stunning late winner against Chelsea at the Etihad Stadium

This, the rebellious Tevez should now understand, is what an act of defiance should amount to - not a refusal to warm up but a refusal to sit down, and in City’s case allow Manchester United to run away with the Barclays Premier League title.

A precious victory was down to much more than the reappearance of a player who had the look of someone who has not played a first-team match for six months. But there can be no denying that the man who has been welcomed back like a new signing might have helped give City a new lease of life when they need it most.

Before Tevez’s arrival from the bench in the 66th minute, City were floundering. Players who were setting the League alight  earlier this season looked tired. Aguero was struggling, as were David Silva and Yaya Toure.

But, from inside themselves, they also found something extra - in this instance a response to the grim realisation that, for all Mancini’s confidence on the eve of this encounter, there is a difference between saying it and doing it; between saying your side will win the title and actually going out and getting the job done.

Winner: Samir Nasri clips the ball past Petr Cech to complete Manchester City's comeback against Chelsea

Had City followed that defeat at Swansea with the loss of yet more points and another disappointing performance, it would have been difficult to see them arresting their slide and catching a Manchester United side now on something of a roll. It would not have just been an 11-point swing. It would have been the sight of two teams travelling in opposite directions; one forwards and one backwards.

Against a Chelsea side revitalised by the departure of Andre Villas-Boas and able to reflect on four straight wins and progress to the last eight of the Champions League, they were experiencing real difficulties. Even in the absence of John Terry and even after Roberto Di Matteo took the decision to select Fernando Torres ahead of Didier Drogba. In fairness to the Chelsea boss, Torres did all that could have been asked of him even if his angry reaction to being taken off was unnecessary. Chances were limited but the Spaniard worked tirelessly until Di Matteo sent on Drogba’s fresher legs.

Stranded: Joe Hart can do nothing about Gary Cahill's deflected effort as Chelsea edge in front

But it took something special from City to win this game, and something that will leave United in no doubt that this title race will go to the wire.

If there was any self-doubt developing inside the City dressing room, this would have gone some way to dispelling it. If there was any over-confidence developing at United, it would not be there now.
It was an intriguing game, and one that started with Nasri taking a ball forward from Yaya Toure beautifully before sending a delightful chip against Petr Cech’s bar.

Leading light: Cahill (right) celebrates opening the scoring for Chelsea against Manchester City

Chelsea had enjoyed a decent chance of their own by then, Torres carving out an opportunity that Juan Mata squandered with a poor effort.

But City seemed to be up for this and really should have secured the lead when a misplaced pass from Frank Lampard suddenly sent Mario Balotelli clear. Much to the very obvious disappointment of the City bench, Balotelli dragged his shot wide with only Cech to beat and was hooked at half-time.

Guess who's back: Carlos Tevez made his return for City after six months on the sidelines

By then Mancini was growing increasingly agitated, the source of his frustration the fact that his side had lost their early momentum. They lacked their usual desire and intensity, with Balotelli most guilty and seemingly determined to lose his place to Tevez.

It was the determination of Torres that earned the corner from which Chelsea scored. Mata delivered from the right and Cahill seized on Yaya Toure’s failure to clear with a shot that took a nasty deflection off the former Barcelona midfielder. Joe Hart had no chance.

Leveller: Sergio Aguero scores Manchester City's equaliser from the spot against Chelsea

Main man: Nasri rips off his shirt in celebration after scoring a vital winner for City against Chelsea

Blown it: A dejected Michael Essien (centre) leaves the field after Chelsea were beaten

Main man: Tevez (left) made an impact after coming off the bench for City