NIGEL CLOUGH stepped forward from the unfamiliar role of sweeper to give Manchester City fresh heart in their relegation battle, at Stamford Bridge, last night. Clough, employed at the back for the first time since his move from Liverpool, earned a valuable point for City after Ruud Gullit had cracked a goal of the season contender for Chelsea.

Gullit's spectacular 23rd minute strike from 20 yards should have been enough to inspire Chelsea to a desperately needed home win in their bid for UEFA Cup qualification. However, they failed to respond as manager Glenn Hoddle would have expected.

Instead, it was City who almost snatched a dramatic victory as Chelsea survived a double scare in the closing minute. City arrived with the worst away record in the Premiership this season, but knowing they had lost only one of their previous seven visits to the Bridge.

They came desperately close to returning home with all three points when Georgi Kinkladze cracked an 89th minute free kick against the crossbar. When the ball bounced down a follow up effort by Kit Symons was headed off the line by David Lee.

It was a frantic finale to a match which was largely fought out in a cluttered midfield with chances at a premium.

Clough, deployed at the back in between Alan Kernaghan and Symons, could not prevent Gull it hitting the target for only his fourth Chelsea goal. However, three minutes before the break, Clough played a pass to Steve Lomas and headed for the goal-mouth where he converted a low cross from close range.