Injury-time Fernandez goal gives Chelsea 1-1 draw with Man City
Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez scored a smash-and-grab goal deep in injury time to salvage a 1-1 draw with Manchester City on Sunday that cost Pep Guardiola’s men precious points in the Premier League title race.
City appeared to have victory all but sewn up with Tijjani Reijnders striking late in the first half. But Fernandez sent City fans home angry when he struck in the 94th minute after Malo Gusto’s cross deflected off Nathan Ake into his path at the far post.
Fernandez mis-hit his first shot, goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma saved his second, but his third attempt pushed the ball over the line.
City are second in the table, level on 42 points with third-placed Aston Villa and six behind leaders Arsenal. Chelsea, who arrived at Etihad Stadium at the end of a turbulent week that saw the club part ways with manager Enzo Maresca on New Year’s Day, are fifth on 31 points.
Chelsea’s defence stood strong against an onslaught of City advances until Reijnders broke the deadlock in the 42nd minute when a pass to Erling Haaland bounced to the Dutch midfielder, who fired a left-footed shot into the roof of the net.