Superb second-half goals from Yaya Toure and Carlos Tevez helped Manchester City to a hard-fought win over Chelsea and reduced the gap to Manchester United at the top of the Premier League to 12 points.

City were rewarded for a more attacking approach in the second period, after a first half in which they missed countless chances, Jack Rodwell and Sergio Aguero both going close to scoring for the hosts.

They had almost paid for their wastefulness when Frank Lampard had a glorious opportunity to register his 200th Chelsea goal, but his penalty was saved by Joe Hart seven minutes after the break.

Tevez made the game safe with a blistering shot from 20 yards five minutes from time.

Lampard was replaced by Victor Moses after a quiet afternoon for the 34-year-old England midfielder that largely typified Chelsea’s attacking performance, their approach only becoming more expansive once they had fallen behind.

They have now lost their last four games at the Etihad and trail second-placed City by seven points with 11 games to go. More importantly, they can now be overtaken by fourth-placed Tottenham, who face West Ham on Monday.

The champions’ hopes of retaining their Premier League title still look slim, but this was the perfect response to the loss at Southampton in their last league outing.

Manager Roberto Mancini’s name was sung throughout by the home supporters, and although there have been some signs the Italian is feeling the pressure of being so far behind Manchester United, the atmosphere was buoyant throughout a freezing afternoon.

The City boss has said goals are the difference between his and Sir Alex Ferguson’s side this season, and before this encounter he demanded that his side begin at a tempo that would bring them an early breakthrough.