5 talking points as Chelsea stun Man City with late goal and Arsenal given boost
MAN CITY 1-1 CHELSEA: Enzo Fernandez snatched a dramatic draw with Manchester City by scoring a 94th-minute equaliser, cancelling out the opener from Tijjani Reijnders
Chelsea gave Arsenal a huge helping hand in the Premier League title race by snatching a 1-1 draw against a wasteful Manchester City. Enzo Fernandez bundled home for Chelsea in the 94th minute, with City having taken the lead through Tijjani Reijnders.
This contest was set to be another master-versus-apprentice affair between Guardiola and former assistant Enzo Maresca. That was until Chelsea sacked the Italian on New Year’s Day following a poor run of results and poorer relations behind the scenes.
Chelsea’s interim manager, Calum McFarlane, made five changes from the XI that started their 2-2 at home to Bournemouth in what proved to be Maresca’s final game in charge. One was enforced, as Moises Caicedo served a one-match ban, while Filip Jorgensen replaced absent the Robert Sanchez in goal.
For City, Rodri made his first Premier League start since in three months after an impressive display as a half-time substitute during Thursday’s 0-0 draw away to Sunderland. Nico O’Reilly was fit enough to play, having been forced off at the Stadium of Light.
Here are five talking points from the Etihad.
READ MORE: Liam Rosenior one step from becoming Chelsea boss as he jets into London
1. Chelsea’s new boss – for now
McFarlane had barely taken his seat at the Etihad before news broke that Liam Rosenior was flying across the Channel to sign his contract with Chelsea. Rosernior, who’s in charge of Chelsea’s sister club, Strasbourg, emerged as the favourite shortly after Enzo Maresca was sacked on Thursday.
Neverthless, McFarlane has been installed as caretaker and could remain in charge of Wednesday’s trip across London to face Fulham. The Blues’ under-21 head coach probably had to pinch himself when he shook Guardiola’s hand ahead kick-off, but it was straight down to business once the whistle sounded.
2. Reijnders back in the grove
After a goal and assist on his Premier League debut, it looked as if Reijnders would be a consistent goal threat for City and a must-have in fantasy football teams. But between mid-August and the start of December, the midfielder only scored one more goal.
Now Reijnders has scored on each of his last three Premier League starts, having netted against West Ham and Nottingham Forest. This time out, the Netherlands international’s superb shimmy onto his left foot inside the box gave gave him space to produce a thumping strike past Jorgensen, finally breaking the deadlock for City after dominating the first half.
3. City suffer Gvardiol injury blow
Unlike Ruben Amorim across town, Guardiola isn’t a fan of changing his centre-backs mid-game. But the City boss was forced to sub Josko Gvardiol off after the Croatian succumbed to an injury early in the second half.
As Chelsea broke on a rare foray forward, Gvardiol attempted to dispossess Malo Gusto but got his challenge wrong and ended up hurting himself. The away side didn’t take advantage of attacking against 10 men but the move did leave City with lasting damage, as Gvardiol’s night came to an early conclusion and Abdukodir Khusanov was called into action.
4. The Rodri effect
Back in the starting line-up like he never left. Rodri produced an assured performance on his return to the first XI for City, anchoring their midfield and allowing their creative players to flourish.
Rodri would’ve had an easier job if his team-mates hadn’t been so sloppy in front of goal, with their slender one-goal advantage always giving Chelsea hope of nicking a draw. The Spaniard created more chances (four) than any other player on the pitch and won the most duels (seven), statistics which illustrate his immense impact.
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5. Fernandez strikes at the death
So long as it was only 1-0, Chelsea had hope. City were uncharacteristically sloppy going forward and shaky at the back, and after Guardiola subbed Ruben Dias – who’d been shown a yellow card – they became more vulnerable.
In the fourth minute of stoppage time, Gusto raced past O’Reilly and whipped in a low cross which Nathan Ake couldn’t clear. Fernandez was lurking at the back post and despite his first effort being saved by Gianluigi Donnarumma, he stabbed home.
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