Man City 1-1 Chelsea - Reijnders with opener
Fernandes levels in stoppage time for visitors
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Chelsea playing first match since departure of Enzo Maresca
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Thank you for joining us tonight - it was slow burner in Manchester, but with quite the sting in the tail.
We will be back on Monday morning with reaction to all the weekend Premier League action, plus build-up to the midweek action.
Ta-ra.
Second‑half lift sees Newcastle ease past Palace
Brentford surge past Everton with thrilling second‑half display
Sunderland strike late to deny Spurs at home
Leeds denied win as Cunha hits back for United
Reed's stoppage‑time strike earns Fulham dramatic draw with Liverpool
We brought you the highlights from Etihad Stadium earlier, now here are all the best bits from the other Premier League games today.
Starting with a grandstand finish at Craven Cottage...
FT: Man City 1-1 Chelsea
Chelsea interim head coach Calum McFarlane speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "We were exceptional in the second half. First half didn't go as we planned. That happens when you play against that level of opposition. They shaped up slightly differently and we were pinned back and didn't have control.
"We showed a lot of character and resilience. The lads took the information on board at half time. We changed the shape. We changed the press. It allowed us to get a good foothold in the game. We deserved a minimum of one point."
On players stepping up after Enzo Maresca's exit: "It's credit to the players. Imagine what they are feeling at the break. Manchester City were the much better team in the first half. With an interim manager. All the injuries we had and the changes we have gone through.
"The leaders in the group - Reece [James], Enzo [Fernandez] and Tosin [Adarabioyo] - have really pulled it together. The character of the group is special. Even the layers who were injured have all travelled. Levi [Colwill], [Marc] Cucurella, Moises [Caicedo] and Robert [Sanchez]. They are all in it together. They wanted the lads to win it as much as anyone else.
On what happens next: "I lead the team until I am told otherwise. It's an honour. I am really proud with the trust they have shown in me. There will be a new manger in soon. We area training tomorrow. I will take that session unless I am told not to. But it was a great occasion."
FT: Man City 1-1 Chelsea
Micah Richards
Former Man City defender on Sky Sports
It's difficult because Chelsea have the quality, it's just now the consistency and that comes with experienced players. Chelsea fully deserved that in terms of the work rate and the tactical switch from the manager.
Also Man City did have the chances, especially in that first half, to win the game.
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Can’t help thinking that Chelsea would have lost that game under Maresca. Team seemed to have more heart for this one. Let’s hope it continues. Will have to wait and see if the new manager keeps that going.
Dave, Sussex
FT: Man City 1-1 Chelsea
Pep Guardiola speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live: "It is what it is. We played a fantastic game against a top team and unfortunately we could not take all the points.
On losing Dias and Gvardiol: "Apparently it doesn't look good, we will see tomorrow. I think they will be on the sidelines for a few weeks.
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City have been eight points adrift with far fewer games to play and still won the title. All to play for.
Keith, Manchester
FT: Man City 1-1 Chelsea
Man City midfielder Tijjani Reijnders speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "We started really well, especially the first half. In the second half it was a bit more open, a bit more up and down, and still we created some big opportunities. We're disappointed that we conceded the goal so late.
"Yes they played much better [in the second half] but still we created some chances. In our pressing they could find the free man more often but we had to kill the game earlier."
On his scoring form: "I feel good as well. I've waited a long time to get my goals. Now I've got the feeling I hope I can keep going with this."
On six points gap at the top: "We should keep going and we still have the confidence that we can turn it around. Next game is very important again."
FT: Man City 1-1 Chelsea
Man City boss Pep Guardiola speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "I don't agree [that City lost control]. They scored a goal and that is why you analyse the result. Of course they made a step up and were more intense in the pressing and they had the chances because we lost two balls in the beginning of the second half. But, if you believe that they shifted the momentum, ok. You maybe know better.
"Chelsea is a world champions team. It is not academy players there. Top class players. So to have control for 90 minutes against a team is so, so difficult. We missed chances in the second half, four or five actions of two versus one or three versus two. Our talented players tried to finish the game but we could not do that.
"It is what it is. When you talk about all the stats in all the departments that we can analyse then one is how effective you are in the final third. In general how we defend, how we run, how we play, was extraordinary."
On the six point gap at the top: "We recover people and we see on Wednesday."
Image source, Getty ImagesFT: Man City 1-1 Chelsea
Shay Given
Former Newcastle and Man City keeper to BBC Sport
"It's a brilliant result for Chelsea, with no manager. And a brilliant result and week for Arsenal, who are now six points clear. City dropping four points in the last two games is huge at this time of the season.
"We always say Christmas and New Year, with such a busy schedule, is so important and it's not been a great festive period for Manchester City. Both their centre halves went off and Rodri looked leggy in the last 15, 20 minutes.
"Their squad's quite stretched at the minute, which people might laugh at because of the money they've spent, but if you look at the bench today there were a lot of kids given the injuries and absentees they have.
"On the whole it was probably a fair result and you've got to give credit to Chelsea's second half performance as they were so much better than they were in the first."
FT: Man City 1-1 Chelsea
This is the first home league game of the season where Manchester City have dropped points from a winning position.
The last time they did so was in March 2025 in their 2-2 draw against Brighton - they had won each of their previous 13 games when leading.
FT: Man City 1-1 Chelsea
City held at home as Chelsea snatch stoppage‑time equaliser
FT: Man City 1-1 Chelsea
Manchester City have failed to win successive Premier League games for only the second time this season, after losing their second and third games of the campaign.
Not a good time to hit a rocky patch of form.
FT: Man City 1-1 Chelsea
Man City midfielder Rodri speaking to Sky Sports: "It's frustrating of course but at the end it is what it is. We created enough chances to win the game three or four nil, but this is football. If you don't take your chances with nothing they just draw the game. So we have to learn from this. There is still a long way and we just need to focus on the next games.
"First half was brilliant, enough to score three or four goals. In the second half we forgot a little bit how to play and they got control of the game, losing easy balls. Sometimes when you defend, defend, defend, they did not have much but they get a draw. There's still a long way to go.
"It unbalances the team every single time a player goes out [injured] but of course the team has to adjust. It is not an excuse, we have enough talented players to play but in the second half we lose face a bit.
"We move on, we have the next game against Brighton at home and we have to win. We know that this season is going to be long so we have to keep going and going."
On being back playing: "For me it is a gift. What I have been through has been terrible for me so winning, drawing, losing for me right now everything is a gift. To play, have the joy of the game and recover the smile, and the rest will come, the victories, the successes for the team. Right now it's about staying fit and enjoying football.
"I went through the process of where you have to adjust the body in terms of the muscle. I feel strong. I need the rhythm of the games but for the moment of the season we are in and where I came from I feel good."
City held at home as Chelsea snatch stoppage‑time equaliser
At a glance
Enzo Fernandez pokes in late leveller for managerless Chelsea
Tijjani Reijnders had opened scoring for hosts on stroke of half-time
Interim boss Calum McFarlane claims draw, having taken charge of Chelsea following Enzo Maresca's departure
Enzo Fernandez scored a stoppage-time equaliser as Chelsea ended a tumultuous week by claiming a deserved Premier League point at title-chasing Manchester City.
Calum McFarlane, usually Chelsea's under-21s coach, has taken charge of the first team on an interim basis following the departure of Enzo Maresca on Thursday.
His side frustrated City for large periods, even after going behind, before Argentine Fernandez poked in at the third attempt to rescue a draw.
The win looked to be heading to City following Tijjani Reijnders' first-half strike, but consecutive draws mean they have now fallen six points behind league leaders Arsenal.
Chelsea set up with a low block and it took until the 37th minute for the first shot on target when Erling Haaland's deflected shot looked to be looping over Filip Jorgensen, but the Chelsea goalkeeper recovered superbly to tip the ball wide.
A minute later the Norwegian striker cut inside and thumped an effort which rattled the post as City sensed a goal was coming their way.
It duly arrived just before half-time, as Reijnders picked up a loose ball on the edge of the penalty area and skipped past Benoit Badiashile before hammering a finish inside the near left post.
Chelsea started brightly in the second half and Pedro Neto should have equalised but scooped over from eight yards out, while substitute Liam Delap, formerly of City, smacked an effort into the chest of Gianluigi Donnarumma, before Fernandez's late leveller thrilled the travelling fans.
'Maybe you know better than me!' - Guardiola
Manchester City have been chasing Arsenal's tail all season and surprisingly dropped two points in a goalless draw at Sunderland on Thursday. Now they have slipped up again, this time unable to hold on for victory.
Pep Guardiola's players had won eight consecutive league games at Etihad Stadium and were closing in on a ninth, but Fernandez struck at the far post to deflate the home players and supporters alike.
City were made to pay following missed opportunities in the first half by the usually dependable Haaland.
The Norwegian has been prolific this season but has hit a barren run by his standards, failing to score in his latest three games. He remains on 149 goals in all competitions for the club.
The hosts were boosted at kick-off by midfielder Rodri making his first start in three months. Guardiola has openly stated how much the the 2024 Ballon d'Or winner contributes to his side and the extent to which they missed him in last season's trophyless campaign.
The 29-year-old provides a calming presence – on Sunday he gained possession 10 times and won nine of his 11 duels on the defensive side of the game, as well as creating four chances in the final third.
Dutchman Reijnders was given license to roam forward and scored to make it three goals in four games, but the hosts were left to rue squandered chances to stretch their lead.
City had found it difficult to make serious inroads until the opener, with Phil Foden scuffing wide and captain Bernardo Silva curling off target after showing quick feet inside the box.
Once ahead, though, they looked poised to see it out.
As well as conceding late on, City will also be concerned by a second-half injury suffered by defender Josko Gvardiol, who appeared to twist his leg in a challenge and had to be helped off the pitch while limping heavily.
Chelsea supporters celebrated an unlikely point and Arsenal fans will be doing the same in the capital, the Gunners now holding a healthy advantage at the summit.
Chelsea have a special group of players - McFarlane
Maresca, the head coach who was appointed 18 months ago, parted company with Chelsea on New Year's Day.
They then lost defender Wesley Fofana to a virus, while first-choice goalkeeper Robert Sanchez was deemed not ready to play after injury.
Caretaker boss McFarlane had never led a senior men's match, and this first opportunity came against Guardiola, widely regarded as the best manager in the world, having overseen 1,011 games before this one and won a stack of trophies.
There would have been concern about whether Chelsea would be competitive at Etihad Stadium given such a disparity in experience between the men calling the shots from pitchside.
Chelsea quickly put those concerns to bed, pressing City high, causing havoc at set-pieces and remaining solid.
That was until they conceded during a poor spell at the end of the first half.
Nevertheless, supported by the unavailable Sanchez, Marc Cucurella, Levi Colwill and Moises Caicedo - who travelled to show solidarity - Chelsea presented as a united, competitive group capable of taking on City.
Of course, they were also found lacking at times, particularly with mistakes from Badiashile that led to the goal, and they were creatively short in the first half.
Then substitute Delap gave them a lift when he came on after the interval, pushing his team up the pitch, including one moment he created for himself in arguably his best league display since joining Chelsea.
Yet it was Fernandez who popped up with the equaliser - converting a low cross from the right for his seventh goal of the season, making him the joint-leading scorer for the Blues this season.
It was a worthy moment after an impressive effort from the squad and goes to show there is life left in Chelsea's season despite a chaotic episode that saw Maresca seemingly fall out with the hierarchy and ultimately leave.
Maresca's successor may turn out to be Strasbourg manager Liam Rosenior.
The new boss will inherit a team who sit fifth in the Premier League, just three points behind fourth-placed Liverpool, with opportunities to lead this group in the FA Cup third round, Carabao Cup semi-final and the Champions League.
Manchester City: Pep Guardiola's side host Brighton in the Premier League on Wednesday (kick-off 19:30 GMT).
Chelsea: Liam Rosenior may well be in charge for the Blues' short trip to Fulham - one of his former clubs as a player - on Wednesday (19:30 GMT).
After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the score displayed represents the average from all the submissions by BBC Sport users.
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 | 15 | 3 | 2 | 40 | 14 | 26 | 48 |
| |
| 20 | 13 | 3 | 4 | 44 | 18 | 26 | 42 |
| |
| 20 | 13 | 3 | 4 | 33 | 24 | 9 | 42 |
| |
| 20 | 10 | 4 | 6 | 32 | 28 | 4 | 34 |
| |
| 20 | 8 | 7 | 5 | 33 | 22 | 11 | 31 |
| |
| 20 | 8 | 7 | 5 | 34 | 30 | 4 | 31 |
| |
| 20 | 9 | 3 | 8 | 32 | 28 | 4 | 30 |
| |
| 20 | 7 | 9 | 4 | 21 | 19 | 2 | 30 |
| |
| 20 | 8 | 5 | 7 | 28 | 24 | 4 | 29 |
| |
| 20 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 30 | 27 | 3 | 28 |
| |
| 20 | 8 | 4 | 8 | 28 | 29 | -1 | 28 |
| |
| 20 | 8 | 4 | 8 | 22 | 24 | -2 | 28 |
| |
| 20 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 28 | 24 | 4 | 27 |
| |
| 20 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 22 | 23 | -1 | 27 |
| |
| 20 | 5 | 8 | 7 | 31 | 38 | -7 | 23 |
| |
| 20 | 5 | 7 | 8 | 26 | 33 | -7 | 22 |
| |
| 20 | 5 | 3 | 12 | 19 | 33 | -14 | 18 |
| |
| 20 | 3 | 5 | 12 | 21 | 41 | -20 | 14 |
| |
| 20 | 3 | 3 | 14 | 20 | 39 | -19 | 12 |
| |
| 20 | 1 | 3 | 16 | 14 | 40 | -26 | 6 |
|
Manager:Pep Guardiola
Formation:4 - 1 - 4 - 1
Manager:Calum McFarlane
Formation:4 - 2 - 3 - 1
Manager:Pep Guardiola
Formation:4 - 1 - 4 - 1
Manager:Calum McFarlane
Formation:4 - 2 - 3 - 1
Premier League
All competitions
All competitions
All competitions
Man City are unbeaten in their last eight Premier League games against Chelsea (W6 D2), their joint-longest run without defeat against the Blues in their league history (also 8 between 1936 and 1949).
Having won four consecutive away league games against Man City between 2005 and 2008, Chelsea have now won just three of their last 16 visits to the Etihad (D2 L11).
Manchester City have only failed to score in one of their last 22 Premier League games against Chelsea, losing 2-0 at Stamford Bridge in December 2018.
Chelsea have won their first league game in just one of the last nine calendar years (D6 L2), beating Fulham 1-0 in 2024.
Manchester City have won their last eight Premier League home games, netting 3+ goals in seven of those including the last five in a row. They last scored 3+ goals in more consecutive home league games between April and October 2022 (10).
Chelsea have won just one of their last seven Premier League games (D4 L2), having won five of their previous six (L1).
Chelsea have dropped 15 points from winning positions in the Premier League this season, as many as in the whole of 2024-25 while they last dropped more in 2022-23 (18). However, 13 of these 15 points dropped have come at Stamford Bridge.
This will be Pep Guardiola’s 31st meeting with Chelsea as a manager (W15 D7 L8), only facing Arsenal more often (33). As Man City boss this will be his 26th against the Blues (W15 D3 L7), his joint-most against an opponent (also 26 vs Manchester United).
Erling Haaland has scored 11 goals in eight Premier League home games for Man City this season, netting twice in five different games. The last player to score 2+ goals in more different home games in a season was Haaland himself in 2022-23 (6).
Each of Cole Palmer’s last nine Premier League goals for Chelsea have been scored in London. He’s not scored outside of the capital since December 2024 (vs Southampton), while he’s not scored north of London since August 2024 (vs Wolves).
