Man City Title Hopes Hit By Managerless Chelsea

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With a goal in the 94th minute, Enzo Fernandez’s equalizer earned Chelsea a 1-1 draw at the Etihad.

City had a much-deserved half-time lead before Tijjani Reijnders lost center defenders Josko Gvardiol and Ruben Dias to injuries in the second half, but they blew two points with Fernandez’s header in the dying seconds.

A point only leaves City six points adrift of leaders Arsenal in terms of second-place finish, beating Aston Villa by one point.

On January 4, 2026, Chelsea’s Argentinian midfielder, #08 Enzo Fernandez (R), celebrates after scoring their goal in the English Premier League game between Manchester City and Chelsea at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, North West England. (Photo by Oli SCARFF/AFP)

The Blues’ recent eight league victories, including one against the odds, gave them the chance to reclaim the lead thanks to a strong second-half performance to move three points clear of the top four.

Rodri returned to City for his first start since early October, and the Spaniard quickly demonstrated why he had already become the best player in the world before suffering a cruciate knee ligament injury in September 2024.

Pep Guardiola’s side were only able to get their ninth straight win when they were only 0-0 drawn at Sunderland on Thursday, but they were also guilty of letting their rivals off the hook before the break.

After a slow opening 20 minutes, Bernardo Silva curled just over the bar before Phil Foden opened the scoring for the home side.

Due to Robert Sanchez’ injury, Filip Jorgensen made his Premier League debut with the Chelsea goal, which produced a brilliant save to divert Erling Haaland’s deflected effort.

Moments later, Haaland’s curling shot nearly flipped off the inside of the post, making him nearly wheel away in celebration.

Three minutes before the break, Reijnders wriggled clear inside the box before firing a powerful shot past Jorgensen at his near post. City’s pressure finally came out.

City nearly gave up on their excellent first-half work just before the restart.

As Chelsea broke forward and Pedro Neto spooned over the bar from close range, Gvardiol’s ankle injury made City undermanned at the back.

In their search for an equalizer, Chelsea targeted Abdukodir Khusanov, while City needed Gianluigi Donnarumma to keep Liam Delap out of a narrow angle.

With a remarkable stop from Fernandez, Donnarumma almost saved his side at the death, but the Argentine made the rebound first and headed in.