Manchester City 1-1 Chelsea: Report, result and goals as Blues steal point at the death

Manchester City were held to a 1-1 draw by Chelsea at the Etihad Stadium after Enzo Fernandez struck deep into stoppage time to cancel out Tijjani Reijnders’ first-half opener.

Pep Guardiola’s side appeared on course for another home win in the Premier League after controlling large spells of the contest, but Chelsea’s late pressure was eventually rewarded with an equaliser in the eighth minute of added time.

Manchester City dominated possession in the opening stages, forcing Chelsea into a compact, counter-attacking shape.

Despite the territorial control, clear chances were initially limited, with both sides struggling to test the goalkeepers in the opening quarter-hour.

Chelsea fashioned the first real opening of the match on the break, when Neto’s low cross found Estevao inside the area, only for Josko Gvardiol to block from close range.

City responded soon after through Phil Foden, who cut inside and fired narrowly wide from 10 yards.

As the half wore on, City began to apply sustained pressure. Erling Haaland struck the inside of the post after being released by Rodri, before forcing a sharp save from Jorgensen moments later following a deflected effort from the edge of the box.

The breakthrough arrived in the 42nd minute. Rayan Cherki combined with Rodri in midfield before threading a pass towards Haaland, which was deflected into the path of Reijnders.

The Dutch midfielder drove into the left side of the area and powered a left-footed finish past Jorgensen from a tight angle to give the hosts a deserved lead.

Second half

Chelsea made changes at the break and showed greater urgency after the restart, improving their possession share and beginning to find space higher up the pitch.

Neto went close early on, lifting a close-range effort over the bar after neat work from Fernandez and Palmer on the counter.

City continued to threaten through Haaland, who broke from the halfway line and saw a low effort blocked by Benoit Badiashile after driving into the penalty area.

Guardiola responded by introducing Jeremy Doku, adding pace down the left flank as City looked for a second goal.

Despite their improved attacking intent, Chelsea struggled to consistently work Gianluigi Donnarumma, with City remaining largely comfortable defensively as the clock ticked down.

Late chances for Palmer and Delap hinted at a possible comeback, but the visitors continued to lack a clinical final touch.

The match took a dramatic turn deep into stoppage time. In the fourth minute of added time, Malo Gusto burst down the right and delivered a low cross across the face of goal.

The ball evaded both Liam Delap and Nathan Ake, falling to Fernandez at the far post. His initial effort was saved by Donnarumma, but the midfielder reacted quickest to prod the rebound into the net from close range.

Fernandez was booked moments later for his celebrations, but the goal stood and ensured Chelsea salvaged a point at the death.