Manchester City and Chelsea have failed to break each other down in a goalless first half at the Etihad Stadium.

The first chance of the game fell the way of the visitors, with Yaya Toure managing to get on the end of David Silva's corner, only to see his effort well held by Thibaut Courtois.

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Opportunities were few and far between in the opening 30 minutes, but City continued to probe away and were nearly rewarded when Fernandinho swiped at the ball which fell into the path of James Milner, but the England international's resulting cross was cut out by Courtois.

Chelsea had a penalty shout turned down when Cesc Fabregas's cross into the box looked to have hit Toure's hand, but referee Mike Dean waved play on.

The remainder of the first half largely disappointed as the tempo dropped, with both side's picking up needless bookings to see the game level at the break.