Enzo Fernandez’s scrappy goal deep in stoppage time rescued an unlikely point for Chelsea in a 1-1 draw with Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.
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Tijjani Reijnders had given City a halftime lead but the would-be title contenders could not add to their advantage and left the game within Chelsea’s reach.
WATCH — Manchester City v Chelsea full match replay
City finish the weekend six points back of leaders Arsenal, while Chelsea’s earned point boosts them back above Manchester United into fifth place.
The loss also comes with a pair of fresh injury concerns at the same position, as City lost Josko Gvardiol and Ruben Dias in the second half.
Uncertain City waste huge chance
Whether it was halftime, the 60th minute, the 75th minute, or 90th, most viewers would’ve been asking the same question — How have City not ended this game? City completed 500 passes in this game and took 14 shot attempts but there was neither clinical finishing nor truly high xG chances. Chelsea backup goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen only had to make two saves and City essentially dared Chelsea to find a moment to take a point. Perhaps it shouldn’t be a surprise that it was a scrappy one, as Josko Gvardiol and Ruben Dias were injured in the second half. Left back Nico O’Reilly was beaten badly on his side, Nathan Ake missed most of the ball with his sliding clearance attempt, and Abdukhodir Khusanov had on real chance to adjust himself to that bobble as the ball slid through the six. City can’t point to anyone but themselves for this draw (although they might want to point to Liam Delap escaping a red card for a shove from behind on Khusanov). Just about the only good news was the excellent play of Rodri, who was able to go 90 minutes.
What’s next?
City host Brighton in the Premier League on Wednesday and then welcome Exeter City to the Etihad on Saturday in the FA Cup.
Chelsea go to Fulham on Wednesday for a league outing before visiting Charlton Athleic in the FA Cup on Saturday.
Manchester City vs Chelsea final score: 1-1
Tijjani Reijnders 42', Enzo Fernandez 90+4'
Manchester City vs Chelsea live updates
Enzo Fernandez goal — Man City 1-1 Chelsea
Chelsea may have just stolen a point in the muckiest fashion. Is it offside?
Malo Gusto cooks Nico O’Reilly and sends a cross that no one handles until it gets to Enzo Fernandez at the back post.
He’s got some work to do. His first shot is partially-saved by Donnarumma, but he muscles the rebound over the line.
Ruben Dias injury
This is a costly 90 minutes for City, who now see Ruben Dias leave for Nathan Ake in the 81st minute.
Delap slams Khusanov
The ex-City man is going to see a yellow card after losing a duel with Abdukhodir Khusanov and shoving the back from behind into the advertising boards. He’s lucky it’s only yellow.
It causes a coming-together as one would expect. Matheus Nunes also sees a yellow for his response.
Chelsea find a chance
Enzo Fernandez spots Liam Delap inside, and the forward turns with Khusanov on his back.
His shot is from a tight ankle and partially-blocked by Khusanov before hitting Gigio Donnarumma’s chest.
The keeper collects the ball and the game stays 1-0 to City.
Man City sub
Jeremy Doku is on for Tijjani Reijnders as Pep Guardiola looks to get more direct against Chelsea’s flanks in the 70th minute.
Chelsea subs
Ex-City man Liam Delap is on for Chelsea, as is Jorell Hato.
Joao Pedro and Josh Acheampong depart in the 62nd minute.
Josko Gvardiol injured
This doesn’t look good.
Gvardiol was running stride for stride with Malo Gusto and immediately signaled for a sub after an awkward landing on his right leg.
Whether an ankle strain or something even lower — a scary thought — he needs help to get off the pitch.
Classy from Reece James to help Gvardiol off the pitch.
Abdukhodir Khusanov takes his place at left center back.
Inexplicably not 1-1
Josko Gvardiol is injured and it springs a break for Chelsea.
Palmer plays it to the left for Enzo Fernandez, who holds off a challenge to put the ball on a plate for Pedro Neto.
The ex-Wolves man cannot get his shot under the bar. Oh my.
Chelsea do make a halftime change
A midfielder is coming into the game but he’s replacing a forward.
Andriy Santos takes the spot of Estevao Willian at halftime.
Let’s see how it looks formation-wise.
Halftime — Manchester City 1-0 Chelsea
There are mini-moments that City are opening up to Chelsea, and if the Blues cannot seize on them this one may already be done.
Shots are 9-1 as Chelsea are giving Man City possession.
Josh Acheampong hasn’t been poor but he may have to depart from right back to allow Reece James the side.
But who mans the middle in that case? Not a lot to like for Chelsea.
Tijjani Reijnders goal — Man City 1-0 Chelsea
It was coming.
Tijjani Reijnders gets the ball on the left and at first seems to look to Haaland, who is offside.
He keeps the ball far enough from Badiashile to offer a shot toward goal, and it’s so authoritative.
No hope for Jorgensen. 1-0 to Man City in the 42nd minute.
Haaland clobbers the inside of the post
The Norwegian has it again and he cuts Benoit Badiashile to create enough space for a shot across goal.
He has Jorgensen beaten and the ball slams into the upper inside of the far post, only to refuse its hopeful spot across the goal line.
Haaland wins a corner
Malo Gusto has been good but he wasn’t here, springing City in the final third.
Erling Haaland’s hits and hopes from atop the arc but it’s deflected by Chalobah’s calf and leads to a corner.
0-0, 39'.
Foden spins it wide on the counter
For all of City’s control, their best chance comes on the counter after Chelsea get a rare spell of possession.
Foden is on the ball atop the 18 and he slashes a shot through traffic that just misses the near post.
0-0, 21'.
Probing City take control
This looks about what was expected from this game, as Chelsea is pressing a bit on the rare occasions the ball is in the City end but for the most part packed-in and daring the hosts to break down their unit.
Man City’s bench is young
Jeremy Doku is the lone established attacker on the bench for City.
There is a space for 17-year-old forward Reigan Heskey, the very-well regarded son of former Liverpool and England star Emile.
Chelsea team news an eyebrow-raiser
Robert Sanchez and Wesley Fofana are not fit to go, joining Marc Cucurella and the suspended Moises Caicedo on the sidelines.
These are huge spots for goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen, right back Josh Acheampong, and “back from the bomb squad” center back Benoit Badiashile.
Good luck!
Manchester City lineup
Donnarumma, Nunes, Dias, Gvardiol, O’Reilly, Rodri, Bernardo, Reijnders, Foden, Cherki, Haaland
Chelsea lineup
Jorgensen, Acheampong, Chalobah, Badiashile, Gusto, James, Fernandez, Estevao, Palmer, Neto, Pedro
Manchester City vs Chelsea preview
For many, the focus will be on the visitors after Chelsea parted ways with ex-Man City assistant Enzo Maresca on Thursday to short-circuit a tenure that saw the Blues win the Conference League and Club World Cup while returning to the UEFA Chmpions League.
Chelsea U-21 boss Calum McFarlane will be in the dugout as the Blues begin life after Maresca, with Strasbourg boss Liam Rosenior among the names bandied about as potential new bosses.
WATCH — Manchester City v Chelsea
City, meanwhile, are the latest side to be surprised by new boys Sunderland and now find themselves four points behind leaders Arsenal at the midpoint of the league season.
Pep Guardiola was flummoxed by his side’s lack of finish in a scoreless draw at the Stadium of Light on Thursday, the draw halting a perfect run of 18 points from 18 since a November 29 win over Leeds United.
Manchester City team news, focus
OUT: John Stones (unspecified), Jeremy Doku (unspecified), Rayan Ait-Nouri (international duty - AFCON), Omar Marmoush (international duty - AFCON), Mateo Kovacic (ankle), Oscar Bobb (thigh) | QUESTIONABLE: Nico O’Reilly (unspecified), Savinho (unspecified)
Chelsea team news, focus
OUT: Moises Caicedo (suspension), Romeo Lavia (thigh), Dario Essugo (thigh), Levi Colwill (torn ACL - MORE), Mykhailo Mudryk (suspension) | QUESTIONABLE: Marc Cucurella (fitness), Jorrel Hato (undisclosed)
Manchester City vs Chelsea prediction
Chelsea haven’t kept a clean sheet in three matches and are giving up even more chances than prolific Man City are generating these days. There could be post-Maresca rise from the Blues but there could also be a dip as his regulars reportedly liked the Italian just fine. Man City 2-1 Chelsea.
How to watch Manchester City vs Chelsea live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 12:30pm ET Sunday
Venue: Etihad Stadium — Manchester
TV Channel: NBCSN
Streaming: Watch live on Peacock
