Chelsea Shock Manchester City Late On As Arsenal Go 6 Points Clear At The Top
Enzo Fernández scored a late equalizer for managerless Chelsea as The Blues made Manchester City pay for an average second-half display. Fernández’s goal helped Chelsea move back into the top five ahead of a transition period for the World Champions after the club parted ways with Maresca earlier last week.
Match Report
Manchester City controlled the match for most of the first half as Chelsea struggled to play out of City’s press. Erling Haaland and Phil Foden tested Chelsea goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen, but the Dane rose to the task early on.
Just before Manchester City scored, Erling Haaland’s effort from the right side of the box hit the inside of the left post as City moved closer to opening the scoring. A few minutes later, Tijjani Reijnders slapped home the opener for City. The Dutch midfielder took on Benoît Badiashile, created space to his left, and rifled a powerful near-post shot past Filip Jorgensen.
Chelsea changed their approach in the second half as Estevao made way for Andrey Santos to help the team escape City’s press more effectively. That adjustment paid off as Chelsea began creating more chances.
Pedro Neto wasted a big chance created by Cole Palmer and Enzo Fernández. Liam Delap and Cole Palmer also came close, but just as the was petering out, Malo Gusto—back in the right-back position—got the better of his man down the right-hand flank and delivered a cross.
City failed to clear the ball, which trickled to Enzo Fernández. The midfielder tapped home at the near post on the second attempt to break the hearts of City fans late on.
It was a bad result for Pep Guardiola and Manchester City, but a result that will encourage Chelsea fans after a troubling and unsettling week at the club.
