Enzo Fernandez’s 94th-minute equaliser for Chelsea snatches a 1-1 draw at Man City, leaving Pep Guardiola’s side six points behind Arsenal
MANCHESTER City’s Premier League title hopes suffered a significant blow after a dramatic 94th-minute equaliser from Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez secured a 1-1 draw at the Etihad Stadium.
Tijjani Reijnders had blasted City into a deserved half-time lead, but the hosts lost two central defenders to injury in the second half.
City then conceded a heartbreaking late goal when Fernandez prodded in at the back post.
The single point is only enough to edge City back above Aston Villa into second place on goal difference.
It leaves Pep Guardiola’s side six points adrift of leaders Arsenal with the title race slipping from their grasp.
Chelsea were under the caretaker charge of under-21 coach Calum McFarlane after parting ways with Enzo Maresca.
The Blues have won just once in their last eight league games but showed spirit to close within three points of the top four.
City welcomed Rodri back for his first start since early October, and the Spaniard quickly showed his influence.
The home side dominated the first half but were guilty of wasteful finishing before finally scoring.
Phil Foden fired just wide and Bernardo Silva curled over before Erling Haaland saw a deflected effort saved.
Haaland was then denied by the inside of the post moments before City finally broke through.
Reijnders wriggled clear inside the box three minutes before the break and blasted a powerful shot past Filip Jorgensen at his near post.
Chelsea’s goalkeeper was making his first Premier League start of the season due to an injury to Robert Sanchez.
City’s momentum was disrupted early in the second half when Josko Gvardiol went off with an ankle injury. Chelsea immediately targeted his replacement, Abdukodir Khusanov, in their search for an equaliser.
The visitors thought they had levelled when Liam Delap was denied from a narrow angle by Gianluigi Donnarumma.
City’s injury woes worsened when Ruben Dias also had to be substituted.
Chelsea’s pressure told in the fourth minute of added time. Donnarumma made a remarkable initial save from Fernandez, but the Argentine midfielder tapped in the rebound to spark wild celebrations.
Numerous City players fell to their knees in disappointment as the final whistle blew.
The result leaves Arsenal firmly in control of the title race as they close in on their first league crown in 22 years.
