MAN CITY 1-1 CHELSEA: Enzo Fernandez’s late equaliser earned Chelsea a dramatic point and dented Manchester City’s title hopes, as Pep Guardiola’s side chase Arsenal
Hopefully, Calum McFarlane will enjoy a successful career in coaching and, possibly, management. But if he never steps into any sort of limelight again, at least he could well have one small claim to fame.
The interim Chelsea boss – and that is very interim, considering Liam Rosenior is about to pick up the poisoned chalice – will be able to say he masterminded an unlikely fightback that put Arsenal in the driving seat in the Premier League title race. It might have been verging on the blindingly obvious to send on Liam Delap, formerly of City, when Chelsea needed a goal with half an hour to go, but it changed the mood of the occasion.
Delap got City, who lost both centre-halves to injury during proceedings, well and truly rattled. And while he did not score the equaliser deep into added time – that was accomplished by Enzo Fernandez after a half-save from Gianluigi Donnarumma – Delap was on the premises and causing consternation in home ranks.
And Delap’s commitment was in keeping with a second half display that at least showed this Chelsea squad will bring a bit of pride to the table when Rosenior gathers them together. But while that second half display was decent enough, this was a game that City should have wrapped up on more than one occasion.
And Pep Guardiola will know it is the type of slip-up that can be decisive in close title races, although with a six-point Gunners lead, the race might not even be close. If Guardiola, though, wanted some consolation from the concession of a soft, late leveller, he could take it from the performance of his most trusted lieutenant.
READ MORE: Liam Rosenior one step from becoming Chelsea boss as he jets into LondonREAD MORE: Chelsea stun Man City with late goal as Arsenal given title boost – 5 talking points
In the passage of play that preceded a sumptuous strike from Tijjani Reijnders, there was a pass played in the middle of the park that probably travelled no more than a yard. It was not even that clever. Just a simple return job, with the inside of the boot.
But it was almost symbolic. City had turned defence into attack via a reliable cog in the middle of the machine. And that cog just happens to be a Ballon d’Or winner, one of the most influential midfielders the Premier League has seen.
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This was Rodri’s latest significant comeback, his first start in three months. And in horse-racing parlance, he looked as though he needed the run.
Rodri has always been thick-set but he was carrying some condition, for sure. And there was the odd occasion when he was caught in possession. Considering the amount of football he has missed over these past couple of seasons, that was only understandable.
But, generally, he was majestic in his own way. Breaking up play, splitting defences with his passing, breaking lines with his muscular strides.
If he can stay fit until the end of the season, City will still be a contender at home and in Europe. But they – and this includes Erling Haaland – will need to be more clinical and will need to make better decisions in the opposition area.
Too often, Haaland, Rayan Cherki and Phil Foden took the wrong option when in threatening positions and that is unusual for a Pep team. In the end, they were made to pay and McFarlane – once employed by City – could enjoy 15 minutes of fame. And Arsenal and Mikel Arteta could enjoy it even more.
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Sky Sports discounted Premier League and EFL package
Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle ahead of the 2025/26 season, saving members £192 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.
Sky will show at least 215 live Premier League games next season, an increase of up to 100 more.
