City dealt with a title blow against managerless Chelsea

Manchester City and Chelsea battled to a 1-1 stalemate at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday evening thanks to Enzo Fernandez’s late goal.

Chelsea curtailed the Citizens for the first quarter of an hour and almost got the lead in the 18th minute through Estevao Willian after he was found by Pedro Neto in the area, but the Brazilian’s close-range effort was blocked by Josko Gvardiol.

At the other end, Matheus Nunes released a long ball over the top to Tijjani Reijnders, and the Dutchman found Phil Foden in the area, who fired his effort just wide.

Just past the half-hour mark, Bernardo Silva wriggled past Malo Gusto and had his sights on goal, but the City’s captain couldn’t direct his curling effort to the far post goalwards.

Moments later, the host threatened again and could’ve got the lead through Erling Haaland, but the Norwegian struck the inside of the post, and another effort was blocked by Benoit Badiashile in the Chelsea box.

In the 42nd minute, Reijnders broke the deadlock after Bernardo’s intended pass to Haaland was intercepted into his path, and the midfielder unleashed a left-footed shot into the roof of the net beyond a stretching Filip Jorgensen.

On the stroke of halftime, Foden struck his volley from 15 yards out well over the bar as the host went into the break with a deserved lead.

Chelsea’s caretaker manager, Calum McFarlane, made a change at the break, with Andrey Santos replacing Estevao.

Four minutes after the restart, Neto was presented with a glorious chance to restore parity from eight yards out, but the Portuguese sent his effort over the bar.

At the hour mark, Haaland almost doubled the Citizen’s advantage, but Badiashile blocked the Norwegian effort and prevented him from getting his 150th City goal.

At the other end, Gianluigi Donnarumma was forced into a smart stop by Liam Delap after the Englishman tried his luck from a tight angle.

On the stroke of full-time, Chelsea almost got the equaliser after Jorrel Hato drilled in a low cross into the area, but Cole Palmer couldn’t connect with the pass, and the chance went begging.

Deep into stoppage time, Fernandez restored parity when Gusto fired in a cross to the far post and City failed to clear their lines, and the Argentine poked the ball home at the third time of asking.

Chelsea secured a late draw at the Etihad and left City six points behind league leaders Arsenal in the title race.