All City had mustered was a tame Adam Johnson free-kick but Tevez, on his return to the side after compassionate leave in Argentina, equalised with a smash and grab effort on the stroke of half-time that epitomised all the Argentine's tenacious qualities.
Mourinho received a warm welcome from the Chelsea supporters prior to kick-off in the second leg of the last 16 - his first competitive return to the club where he won two Premier League titles in three seasons before leaving in 2007.