Caretaker Manager Hails Chelsea’s “Character” Following Last-Gasp Etihad Equalizer
Enzo Fernández delivered a devastating blow to Manchester City’s Premier League title aspirations on Sunday, scrambling home a 94th-minute equalizer to secure a dramatic 1-1 draw for Chelsea at the Etihad Stadium.
The Argentine’s last-gasp intervention, poking home Malo Gusto’s cross, sparked jubilant scenes on the touchline as interim Chelsea manager Calum McFarlane was mobbed by his players. The goal canceled out a powerful first-half strike from City’s Tijjani Reijnders and left Pep Guardiola’s side six points adrift of leaders Arsenal after two consecutive draws.
“I’m really proud of the players and how they performed, especially in the second half,” said a beaming McFarlane, who is expected to return to coaching Chelsea’s U21s after this game. “For them to regroup… speaks volumes about the characters we have at this club.”
For Guardiola, the result was a bitter pill to swallow. “I thought our performance was outstanding,” he said tersely. “But we couldn’t take our chances to score a second, third and fourth goal.” His frustrations were compounded by a deepening injury crisis, with defenders Josko Gvardiol and Rúben Dias both forced off to join John Stones and Nico González on the sidelines.
City had dominated for long periods and took a deserved lead just before halftime when Reijnders expertly created space and fired high past Chelsea keeper Filip Jørgensen. But despite sustained pressure, they failed to kill the game, with Erling Haaland hitting the post and Phil Foden dragging a good chance wide.
Chelsea, missing several players through illness and injury, grew into the game late on. Their persistence was rewarded in the dying moments when Fernández arrived at the back post to send the travelling fans into raptures and drag his interim boss onto the pitch for a celebratory bow.
“No one thought we stood a chance here,” McFarlane added. “We’ve had everything against us, but this group’s shown that when their back’s against the wall, they’ve got the talent and character to be successful.”
For City, the draw feels like a major setback. With a mounting injury list and ground to make up in the title race, Guardiola’s side must regroup quickly ahead of Wednesday’s visit from Brighton. For Chelsea and their caretaker boss, it was a night that proved the fight in this squad is very much alive.
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