Fernandez Strikes Late as Chelsea Hold Manchester City at the Etihad
Chelsea rescued a dramatic point at the Etihad Stadium as Enzo Fernandez struck deep into stoppage time to earn a 1-1 draw against Manchester City, easing the immediate pressure following Enzo Maresca’s dismissal.
The Blues looked set to leave empty handed after Tijjani Reijnders fired City ahead late in the first half, but Fernandez’s late intervention capped a much-improved second-half display and stunned the home crowd.
City dominated large spells early on and created the clearer chances before the break. Erling Haaland was central to most of the danger, forcing Filip Jorgensen into a sharp save with a deflected effort before crashing a curling strike against the post. Chelsea struggled to cope with the sustained pressure and were punished three minutes before half-time when Reijnders drove a precise finish inside Jorgensen’s near post.
The context around the result added extra weight to the performance. Chelsea arrived in Manchester without a permanent manager and low on confidence, while City were chasing another crucial win in the Premier League title race. A defeat would have felt damaging for both sides for very different reasons.
The atmosphere reflected those contrasting stakes. City moved the ball with authority in the opening exchanges, pinning Chelsea deep and dictating the tempo. Kevin De Bruyne and Bernardo Silva found pockets of space, while Haaland’s movement stretched a backline that spent much of the first half defending its own penalty area.
Despite City’s control, the game did not pass without moments of resistance. Jorgensen remained alert to deny Haaland again, and Chelsea survived a spell of sustained pressure without conceding a second before the interval. That resilience proved important as the match wore on.
Chelsea emerged after the break with greater intent and energy. Fernandez began to influence the midfield battle, and Pedro Neto should have levelled when put through by the Argentine, only to lift his effort over the crossbar. It was a clear warning that the visitors were no longer content to sit back.
City continued to threaten on the counter, but their grip on the match loosened as Chelsea grew in confidence. Substitutions added intensity, and the visitors started to win second balls higher up the pitch, forcing the home side deeper than expected.
The decisive moment arrived in the 94th minute. A loose ball broke inside the penalty area, and Fernandez reacted quickest, stabbing home from close range to spark wild celebrations among the travelling support and silence the Etihad.
The final whistle confirmed a result that felt significant beyond the scoreline. Chelsea showed resilience and character at a turbulent moment for the club, while City were left frustrated after allowing control to slip late on.
Attention now turns to midweek, with Liam Rosenior expected to take charge for Chelsea’s upcoming clash with Fulham. For City, the dropped points could yet loom large in the title race.