Enzo Fernandez Late Equaliser Derails Man City Title Bid Against Caretaker Chelsea

Enzo Fernandez struck a crucial 94th minute leveller that severely damaged Manchester Citys Premier League title aspirations securing a 1 1 draw for Chelsea without a permanent manager at the Etihad Stadium.

Tijjani Reijnders fired City ahead with a strong finish just before half time but the hosts were hampered by injuries to key centre backs Josko Gvardiol and Ruben Dias during the second period before conceding in the final moments as Fernandez poked home from close range.

This result merely lifts City level with Aston Villa for second place on goal difference while they trail leaders Arsenal by six points.

Chelsea operated under the guidance of under 21 coach Calum McFarlane following the dismissal of Enzo Maresca earlier in the week.

The London club have secured only one victory in their previous eight league fixtures dropping to fifth position yet their determined second half effort brought them to within three points of the Champions League spots.

Manchester City reintegrated Rodri into the starting lineup for his initial appearance since early October and the Spanish midfielder soon demonstrated his Ballon dOr credentials despite a serious knee injury sustained in September 2024.

A goalless stalemate against Sunderland in midweek due to poor conversion denied Pep Guardiolas team a ninth straight win and similar profligacy allowed Chelsea to survive until the interval.

Following a tentative start the home team created opportunities with Phil Foden shooting narrowly wide and Bernardo Silva bending his attempt just above the crossbar.

Filip Jorgensen earned his first Premier League outing this season between the posts for Chelsea replacing the injured Robert Sanchez and he executed an excellent stop to deflect Erling Haalands awkward shot out for a corner.

Haaland thought he had opened the scoring shortly after as his hooked effort struck the upright.

The breakthrough arrived moments from half time when Reijnders evaded markers in the penalty area to drill a fierce drive beyond Jorgensen into the bottom corner.

Almost immediately after the break City risked undoing their progress.

Gvardiol limped off with an ankle problem leaving the defence short handed and Chelsea capitalised on the counter with Pedro Neto lifting his effort over the bar from mere yards out.

The visitors pressed hard targeting substitute Abdukodir Khusanov and City relied on Gianluigi Donnarumma to deny Liam Delap from an acute angle.

Donnarumma almost preserved the lead in added time with a stunning block on Fernandez but the midfielder reacted quickest to the loose ball and slotted it in.

Several City players dropped to the turf in frustration as Arsenal edge closer to their first Premier League crown in over two decades.