A stoppage-time strike from Enzo Fernández salvaged a 1-1 draw for a manager-less Chelsea, frustrating Manchester City’s title ambitions in a tale of two halves at the Etihad.
In the wake of Enzo Maresca’s dismissal, a manager-less Chelsea displayed remarkable grit to escape the Etihad Stadium with a 1-1 draw against title-contenders Manchester City.
While the first half saw the Blues pinned back by a dominant City side, the second half featured a tactical resurgence under interim leadership.
The persistence paid off in the 94th minute when Enzo Fernández turned from midfield engine to goal-scoring hero, stunning the home fans and securing a vital point for the London side.
Chelsea Player Ratings
Filip Jörgensen (6/10): Thrust into a high-pressure start due to Robert Sánchez’s injury, the young goalkeeper stood tall against one of the world’s most daunting attacks. While he couldn’t stop Reijnders’ powerful near-post strike, he managed several sharp interventions and provided a composed presence between the sticks throughout the match.
Josh Acheampong (7/10): The youngster was arguably Chelsea’s most impressive defender, refusing to be overawed by the occasion. His recovery pace was vital in tracking Erling Haaland, and several of his covering tackles were timed to perfection, preventing City from extending their lead during their period of total dominance.
Trevoh Chalobah (6/10): Chalobah faced a difficult afternoon as City’s fluid front three frequently pulled the Chelsea backline out of position. Though he found himself “chasing shadows” at times during the first-half onslaught, he maintained his focus and contributed to a much more disciplined defensive effort after the interval.
Benoit Badiashile (5/10): It was a mixed outing for the Frenchman, who struggled significantly with his distribution. His attempts to play out from the back often invited unnecessary pressure on the defense. While his physical defending was adequate, his lack of composure on the ball remains a concern for the Blues’ build-up play.
Malo Gusto (6/10): Filling in for the injured Marc Cucurella, Gusto had a quiet first half as he struggled to find his footing on the left. However, a second-half tactical shift saw him move to his more natural right side, where he looked far more dangerous and eventually played a role in the build-up to the dramatic equalizer.
Reece James (7/10): Leading the side through a turbulent week, the captain showed great leadership despite appearing physically taxed in the first half. He struggled initially against City’s elite midfield trio but grew into the game, providing the defensive bite and crossing threat that allowed Chelsea to claw their way back into the contest.
Enzo Fernández (8/10): The Argentine was the heartbeat of the Chelsea comeback. After appearing overrun in the first 45 minutes, he took control of the tempo in the second half. His industry was rewarded in the final seconds when he arrived in the box to stab home the equalizer, walking away as the team’s standout performer.
Cole Palmer (5/10): It was a homecoming to forget for the former City star. Palmer struggled to find pockets of space against his former teammates and was largely peripheral to the action. His frustrating afternoon was capped off by a notable “air shot” late in the game when a scoring chance finally presented itself.
Estevão (5/10): The Brazilian teenager, who has been a bright spark this season, found the physical and tactical demands of the Etihad difficult to navigate. He was unable to exert any influence on the game and was hooked at halftime as the interim coaching staff looked for more physicality.
João Pedro (5/10): Leading the line is a thankless task against City, but Pedro’s performance was hindered by a heavy first touch and a lack of hold-up play. He failed to offer an outlet for his teammates during the first-half siege and was eventually replaced by Liam Delap as the Blues chased the game.
Pedro Neto (4/10): It was a night of wasted opportunities for the winger. While his pace allowed him to get into several goal-scoring positions, his decision-making was consistently poor. He missed a glaring chance early in the second half that could have changed the complexion of the game much earlier.
Manager & Notable Subs
Calum McFarlane (8/10): The interim coach deserves immense credit for his halftime adjustments. Recognizing the first-half “insipid” display wasn’t working, he tweaked the system and utilized his bench effectively. His tactical flexibility turned a likely defeat into a spirited draw.
Liam Delap (7/10): Coming on against his former club, Delap provided the physical presence Chelsea had been lacking. His power and direct running caused immediate problems for the City center-backs and helped shift the momentum in Chelsea’s favor during the closing stages.