Chelsea salvaged a draw of their first match of the post-Enzo Maresca period on Sunday afternoon because the Blues drew 1-1 with Pep Guardiola’s Manchester Metropolis.
It was a well timed battle between two of Maresca’s former sides, given he had been speaking to Manchester Metropolis about succeeding Guardiola down the whereas at Chelsea, and so they might in the end not be separated.
The outcome did not come with out drama, although. Tijjani Reijnders gave his aspect the lead within the first-half, and it remained that approach till stoppage time within the second when Enzo Fernandez despatched the away followers into raptures by poking within the equaliser.
It meant Metropolis misplaced much more floor to Arsenal within the title race, whereas Chelsea had been in a position to carry on eye on the highest 4 within the standings.
However whose physique language was unfavourable on the sector of play? Whose night was ‘up and down,’ and who was in the end at fault for the late objective?
Each day Mail Sport’s JACK GAUGHAN and KIERAN GILL had been on the Etihad to solid their eyes over the 2 sides…
Enzo Fernandez’s late strike triggered chaotic scenes as Chelsea salvaged some extent in opposition to Manchester Metropolis
It meant Metropolis misplaced much more floor to Arsenal on the prime of the Premier League desk
MANCHESTER CITY (4-1-4-1) – Jack Gaughan
Gianluigi Donnarumma – 6
Not a shot to avoid wasting till the 72nd minute, when standing as much as repel Liam Delap’s drive. Nearly a hero late on earlier than Chelsea’s equaliser.
Matheus Nunes – 6
A couple of nervous moments within the minutes after the break. In any other case acquitted himself nicely sufficient at proper again.
Ruben Dias – 7
A special project to latest weeks: typically with out anyone to mark and play up in opposition to. Needed to maintain his wits about him.
Josko Gvardiol – 7
One enormous block within the first half and made a few important interventions earlier than his afternoon ended prematurely.
Nico O’Reilly – 5.5
Way more sure than he has been in latest video games – till he acquired completed by Malo Gusto within the fourth minute of damage time.
Rodri – 8
High first begin since October. Like he’d by no means been away. Such intelligent little passes in midfield and shielded nicely.
Rodri performed like he is by no means been away in midfield in his first begin for Metropolis since October
Rayan Cherki – 5.5
An up and down night. Appeared simply as more likely to open Chelsea up as he did to present low-cost possession away.
Bernardo Silva – 7
Tenacious show once more from the person who by no means stops working. Others are extra decisive however Silva continues to do the donkey work.
Phil Foden – 6
Busy in bits and items, ultimate ball missing, though Foden’s urgent within the ultimate third is returning to what it has been beforehand.
Tijjani Reijnders – 7.5
Gorgeous strike earlier than half-time and proving that he will be an asset in working past Erling Haaland on this set-up.
Erling Haaland – 6.5
Three video games with out scoring now – the longest spell within the league for a yr – however contributed within the construct up and hit a put up.
Subs
Abdukodir Khusanov (for Gvardiol, 51) – 6
Jeremy Doku (for Reijnders, 70) – 6
Nathan Ake (for Dias, 81)
Supervisor: Pep Guardiola – 6
Will likely be extremely pissed off to have misplaced extra floor to Arsenal after his aspect wasted a number of alternatives to place this one to mattress.
Erling Haaland hit the put up however has now gone three league video games with out scoring – his longest drought for a yr
CHELSEA (4-2-3-1) – Kieran Gill
Filip Jorgensen – 6
Filling in for the injured Robert Sanchez, who is predicted again for Wednesday’s go to of Fulham, he denied Erling Haaland however not Tijani Reijnders as he fired his rocket in on the close to put up.
Josh Acheampong – 7
Academy lad needs to be happy with how he held his personal general, from his terrifically-timed deal with to cease a Metropolis counter-attack to his good problem to kill a Haaland probability.
Trevoh Chalobah – 6
Thought he could be partnering Wesley Fofana, just for a fever to see the Frenchman changed. Grateful to Jorgensen for stopping his deflection on Haaland’s effort from flying in.
Benoit Badiashile – 5.5
Largely accountable for Metropolis’s opener which undid Chelsea’s good defensive work earlier than then, as Fofana’s substitute gave the ball away then didn’t cease Reijnders when one on one with him.
Malo Gusto – 7.5
Proper again getting used at left again for the primary half. Proper wing again and occasional winger for the second half. It was his superb run and cross which led to Chelsea’s dramatic stoppage-time equaliser.
Reece James – 6.5
With no Moises Caicedo resulting from suspension, James appeared to deliver his management into midfield. Crunched into challenges which received him the sport’s first yellow card.
Enzo Fernandez – 7
Added just a little oomph into his tackles which the away followers appreciated, and so they cherished him much more when he scored that equaliser in stoppage time to safe Chelsea an unlikely level.
Estevao Willian – 6
Estevao was dropping extraordinarily deep to virtually grow to be a fifth defender for Chelsea on the right-hand aspect. Solely probability to attain was blocked by Josko Gvardiol. Changed at half-time.
Cole Palmer performed is first 90 minutes since September however had few alternatives to indicate his expertise in opposition to his outdated aspect
Cole Palmer – 6
Misplaced the ball very early on within the build-up to Metropolis’s opener as an opportunity for Chelsea to assault died a loss of life. Might have completed higher in just a few such conditions. First full 90 since September.
Pedro Neto – 5.5
After Chelsea’s half-time tactical tweaks, they carved up a wonderful probability to equalise, however Neto blazed over the crossbar when he actually should have scored. Unfavorable physique language at occasions.
Joao Pedro – 6
Tried to carry up the ball with Chelsea trying lengthy and received the odd foul that approach. Substituted for Liam Delap after an hour of no probabilities of be aware.
SUBS
Andrey Santos (for Estevao, 45) – 6.5
Changed Estevao on the break in order that Chelsea might go along with another system, and helped cease just a few Metropolis assaults with nicely-timed tackles.
Liam Delap (for Joao Pedro, 62) – 6
Good contact and switch noticed Delap create an opportunity for himself after approaching, however Gianluigi Donnarumma managed to make the save.
Jorrel Hato (for Acheampong, 62) – 6
Jury remains to be out on Hato, however an distinctive interception denied Bernardo Silva what appeared like a sure second objective for Metropolis.
Calum McFarlane’s tactical tweaks helped Chelsea earn a attract his first interim sport answerable for the aspect
MANAGER
Calum McFarlane (caretaker) – 8
Chelsea’s Beneath 21s coach was thrust right into a remarkably powerful scenario, and lots of thought a 5-0 trouncing would observe no less than. It didn’t. His tactical tweaks helped the guests go away with a draw.
