Manchester City’s Premier League title hopes were dealt a further damaging blow after Enzo Fernandez’s stoppage-time equaliser earned Chelsea a point in a 1-1 draw at the Etihad.
Following a tumultuous week at Stamford Bridge which resulted in Enzo Maresca receiving his marching orders, the departing Chelsea manager’s namesake was the one making the headlines on a bitterly cold winter’s evening in Manchester.
City had led since Tijjani Reijnders’ 42nd-minute opener, which looked to have moved Pep Guardiola’s men to within four points of Arsenal at the top of the table.
However, Fernandez capped off a fine second-half performance to earn Calum McFarlane’s side a point, in what could be his only interim match in charge.
There was little to choose between the two sides in a largely cagey first half, but City increased the intensity with half-time approaching as Erling Haaland rattled the post with a curling left-footed strike.
Moments later, Reijnders struck first with an emphatic left-footed finish of his own that flew past Filip Jorgensen at the near post.
There was an element of fortune about the goal, as Rayan Cherki’s pass was meant for Haaland, but Benoit Badiashile diverted the ball from its intended target into the path of the Dutchman to fire home.
The Blues were pushing for an equaliser with full-time edging closer, with Cole Palmer and Liam Delap agonisingly close to making a connection with Jorrell Hato’s cross.
However, Fernandez ensured Chelsea took a point back to west London when Malo Gusto’s delivery fell into the Argentine’s path, and he slotted home at the third opportunity.
This point for Chelsea keeps them fifth and three points adrift of Liverpool in fourth, while back-to-back draws for City mean Guardiola’s side lose two more points in the race to hunt down Arsenal at the top.
