Key stats
- Enzo Fernández has now scored six goals in the Premier League this season, the most by a Chelsea player.
- Chelsea have failed to win in their last four games in the Premier League. Their last longer winless streak was from 22nd December 2024 to 14th January 2025, a run of five games.
- Chelsea have scored in 18 of their 20 games, only Arsenal (19) have scored goals in more matches in the Premier League this season.
Highlights
Analysis
Rodri was all over the pitch, but his efforts did not result in the three points City so desperately wanted.
Match report
With the headlines ahead of this one dominated by the shock departure of Enzo Maresca as Chelsea manager, it was little surprise to see stand-in boss Calum McFarlane employing caution in the early moments.
That subdued City, and even spawned the first chance of the game when Estêvão’s shot from the centre of the area was blocked by Joško Gvardiol. The hosts’ fortunes improved from there though, and Phil Foden missed a pair of chances before Bernardo Silva curled over from a promising position.
It was nearly HT by the time Erling Haaland got into the game, but he went closest yet for City in smashing a left-footed, curling strike against the post. And that proved to be the catalyst, with Tijjani Reijnders receiving it just a couple of minutes later, finding space for a shot and blasting into the roof of Filip Jörgensen’s net from a tight angle.
Chelsea went on the hunt to turn the tide immediately after the break, and Pedro Neto really should have levelled things up when he scooped over from the centre of the area after a rapid counter-attack.
Determined to get his name on the scoresheet for the first time in three matches, Haaland went on the rampage, but couldn’t beat Benoît Badiashile with his eventual shot.
There were more opportunities for City as the half progressed, but arguably the clearest one went Chelsea’s way when Liam Delap stung the gloves of Gianluigi Donnarumma from a tight angle.
Knocks to both Gvardiol and Rúben Dias forced late changes in the City defence, giving the visitors some renewed hope, and they were finally rewarded in the fourth minute of stoppage time.
Malo Gusto roared down the right and put in a teasing cross which was not dealt with by the City defence, and Enzo Fernández was lurking at the far post to scramble in. City subsequently slip six points behind Arsenal, level with Aston Villa, breaking an eight-match winning league run at this venue.
That late equaliser will have delighted McFarlane in the first match of his interim tenure, and shows that Chelsea have the tools for a successful end to the season once a replacement for Maresca is identified.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Tijjani Reijnders (Manchester City)
Post-match comments
Chelsea interim boss Calum McFarlane said it was the 'stuff of dreams' to go up against Pep Guardiola on the side of the pitch.
"For me personally it was amazing, stuff you dream about," he told BBC Radio 5 Live. "Pep Guardiola, Premier League game, amazing.
"He's one of the best managers that has ever done it, that seemed to be the narrative of the game and I don't think it should have been. It should be about the players, and how well they performed.
"It shouldn't be about me, it should be about the quality performance those lads put on with everything that has gone on.
"I'm really proud of the performance, even if that goal didn't come, I thought the character the lads showed, especially in the second half... I would've been so happy regardless. It's even better we got the equaliser I thought we deserved."
Club captain Reece James was full of praise for interim head coach Calum McFarlane and the coaching unit as a whole following Chelsea's draw.
"Of course, it's difficult but we have to fight for each other," he told Sky Sports about the departure of Enzo Maresca. "We dug in and got the point.
"Credit to the staff that stepped up. They haven't been in this role before. To come to Manchester City away as your first first-team game is difficult.
"We had to adapt fast. We came out in the second half with a slightly different plan and as the game went on, we grew more into it.
"We have to stand together as a unit. We are one. We missed many players today, but so many other players stepped up. We fought as a team and I am proud of the boys."