Man City 1-1 Chelsea PLAYER RATINGS: Whose body language was negative?
Chelsea salvaged a draw in their first match of the post-Enzo Maresca era on Sunday afternoon as the Blues drew 1-1 with Pep Guardiola's Manchester City.It was a timely battle between two of Maresca's former sides, given he had been talking to Manchester City about succeeding Guardiola down the while at Chelsea, and they could ultimately not be separated.The result didn't come without drama, though. Tijjani Reijnders gave his side the lead in the first-half, and it remained that way until stoppage time in the second when Enzo Fernandez sent the away fans into raptures by poking in the equaliser.It meant City lost even more ground to Arsenal in the title race, while Chelsea were able to keep on eye on the top four in the standings. But whose body language was negative on the field of play? Whose evening was 'up and down,' and who was ultimately at fault for the late goal?Daily Mail Sport’s JACK GAUGHAN and KIERAN GILL were at the Etihad to cast their eyes over the two sides... Enzo Fernandez's late strike triggered chaotic scenes as Chelsea salvaged a point against Manchester City It meant City lost even more ground to Arsenal at the top of the Premier League tableMANCHESTER CITY (4-1-4-1) - Jack GaughanGianluigi Donnarumma - 6Not a shot to save until the 72nd minute, when standing up to repel Liam Delap’s drive. Almost a hero late on before Chelsea’s equaliser.Matheus Nunes – 6A few nervous moments in the minutes after the break. Otherwise acquitted himself well enough at right back.Ruben Dias – 7A different assignment to recent weeks: often without anybody to mark and play up against. Had to keep his wits about him.Josko Gvardiol – 7One huge block in the first half and made a couple of vital interventions before his afternoon ended prematurely.Nico O’Reilly – 5.5Far more certain than he has been in recent games – until he got done by Malo Gusto in the fourth minute of injury time.Rodri – 8Top first start since October. Like he’d never been away. Such clever little passes in midfield and shielded well. Rodri played like he's never been away in midfield in his first start for City since OctoberRayan Cherki – 5.5An up and down evening. Looked just as likely to open Chelsea up as he did to gift cheap possession away.Bernardo Silva – 7Tenacious display again from the man who never stops running. Others are more decisive but Silva continues to do the donkey work.Phil Foden – 6Busy in bits and pieces, final ball lacking, although Foden’s pressing in the final third is returning to what it has been previously.Tijjani Reijnders – 7.5Stunning strike before half-time and proving that he can be an asset in running beyond Erling Haaland in this set-up.Erling Haaland – 6.5Three games without scoring now – the longest spell in the league for a year – but contributed in the build up and hit a post.SubsAbdukodir Khusanov (for Gvardiol, 51) - 6Jeremy Doku (for Reijnders, 70) - 6Nathan Ake (for Dias, 81)Manager: Pep Guardiola - 6Will be incredibly frustrated to have lost more ground to Arsenal after his side wasted multiple opportunities to put this one to bed. Erling Haaland hit the post but has now gone three league games without scoring - his longest drought for a yearCHELSEA (4-2-3-1) - Kieran GillFilip Jorgensen – 6Filling in for the injured Robert Sanchez, who is expected back for Wednesday’s visit of Fulham, he denied Erling Haaland but not Tijani Reijnders as he fired his rocket in at the near post.Josh Acheampong – 7Academy lad should be proud of how he held his own overall, from his terrifically-timed tackle to stop a City counter-attack to his perfect challenge to kill a Haaland chance.Trevoh Chalobah – 6Thought he would be partnering Wesley Fofana, only for a fever to see the Frenchman replaced. Grateful to Jorgensen for stopping his deflection on Haaland’s effort from flying in.Benoit Badiashile – 5.5Largely to blame for City’s opener which undid Chelsea’s good defensive work before then, as Fofana’s replacement gave the ball away then didn’t stop Reijnders when one on one with him.Malo Gusto – 7.5Right back being used at left back for the first half. Right wing back and occasional winger for the second half. It was his fine run and cross which led to Chelsea’s dramatic stoppage-time equaliser.Reece James – 6.5With no Moises Caicedo due to suspension, James looked to bring his leadership into midfield. Crunched into challenges which won him the game's first yellow card.Enzo Fernandez – 7Added a little oomph into his tackles which the away fans appreciated, and they loved him even more when he scored that equaliser in stoppage time to secure Chelsea an unlikely point.Estevao Willian – 6Estevao was dropping extremely deep to practically become a fifth defender for Chelsea on the right-hand side. Only chance to score was blocked by Josko Gvardiol. Replaced at half-time. Cole Palmer played is first 90 minutes since September but had few opportunities to show his skills against his old sideCole Palmer – 6Lost the ball very early on in the build-up to City’s opener as a chance for Chelsea to attack died a death. Could have done better in a few such situations. First full 90 since September.Pedro Neto – 5.5After Chelsea’s half-time tactical tweaks, they carved up a glorious chance to equalise, but Neto blazed over the crossbar when he really ought to have scored. Negative body language at times.Joao Pedro – 6Tried to hold up the ball with Chelsea looking long and won the odd foul that way. Substituted for Liam Delap after an hour of no chances of note.SUBSAndrey Santos (for Estevao, 45) – 6.5Replaced Estevao at the break so that Chelsea could go with an alternative system, and helped stop a few City attacks with nicely-timed tackles.Liam Delap (for Joao Pedro, 62) – 6Nice touch and turn saw Delap create a chance for himself after coming on, but Gianluigi Donnarumma managed to make the save.Jorrel Hato (for Acheampong, 62) – 6Jury is still out on Hato, but an exceptional interception denied Bernardo Silva what looked like a certain second goal for City. Calum McFarlane's tactical tweaks helped Chelsea earn a draw in his first interim game in charge of the sideMANAGERCalum McFarlane (caretaker) – 8Chelsea’s Under 21s coach was thrust into a remarkably tough situation, and many thought a 5-0 trouncing would follow at least. It didn’t. His tactical tweaks helped the visitors leave with a draw.
