Manchester City 1 Chelsea 1: Pep Guardiola’s side throw two points away at the Etihad

Manchester City 1 (Tijjani Reijnders 42′)

Chelsea 1 (Enzo Fernandez 90+4′)

Manchester City have drawn 1-all against a stubborn Chelsea side tonight at the Etihad Stadium. Tijjani Reijnders looked to have secured all three points for City when he opened the scoring in the 42nd minute. But Enzo Fernandez would equalise for Chelsea in the 94th minute as City once again dropped crucial points. Pep Guardiola’s side now sit six points behind Arsenal at the top of the Premier League and have a plethora of injury concerns to worry about.

When the starting lineups were announced Rodri made his first start for three months for Manchester City. He replaced Nico in the starting lineup who missed today’s game due to injury. Savinho was also ruled out after picking up an injury against Sunderland. Josko Gvardiol and Tijjani Reijnders replaced Nathan Ake and Savinho in Manchester City’s starting lineup. Manchester City’s bench had a youthful look as City’s squad has become stretched due to injuries at the African Cup of Nations.

First half

Manchester City struggled to establish a foothold in the game in the opening five minutes. Chelsea were keen to press City when they attempted to build up from the back. They did have some early success as they forced an early corner. Outside of that, there wasn’t a lot of action to begin the match.

Following a slow start to the game, Pep Guardiola’s side did start to dominate possession up until the 15th minute. They began to force Chelsea deep defensively but City had yet to create any significant openings. The same could be said for Chelsea who looked content to sit deep in a low block and try to break with pace when the opportunity arose.

The first chance of the game would fall Chelsea’s way in the 19th minute. Josko Gvardiol sloppily gave away possession which set Chelsea off on the break. Pedro Neto broke down the left and played a good ball across the City penalty area. Neto’s ball was met by Estevao but his goal-bound shot was well blocked by Josko Gvardiol. City would respond 30 seconds later when a swift counter saw Phil Foden fire a shot inches wide with Chelsea keeper Filip Jorgensen stranded.

As the game approached the half-hour mark there was no real flow to proceedings. Manchester City looked like a team that had played only two days ago and Chelsea were well-organised defensively and tough to break down. Rodri was playing superbly well and he looked to be the player who could unlock Calum McFarlane’s team’s defence.

City have their chances as they begin to go up a gear.

Bernardo Silva would curl an effort just over the far post in the 36th minute. Once again, Rodri picked out Bernardo Silva in acres of space on the right wing. Bernardo drove at Chelsea left-back Malo Gusto, who was backpedalling at a rate of knots. The Manchester City captain worked his way into a shooting position and curled his shot just wide of the top far corner.

Filip Jörgensen would make his first save of the day a minute later. Phil Foden picked out Haaland in space and Manchester City’s number nine fired in a shot which was deflected and Jorgensen tipped behind for a corner. Two minutes later, Rodri picked out Haaland in space on the left-hand side of the Chelsea area. Haaland’s first touch was sublime and he curled a powerful effort on goal which smacked the post and somehow stayed out.

TIJJANI REIJNDERS FIRES MANCHESTER CITY INTO THE LEAD!!!!!!

Manchester City had clearly upped the ante and they would take the lead in the 42nd minute. Rayan Cherki attempted to slip in Erling Haaland but his ball was cut out by Chelsea defender Benoit Badiashile. Badiashile’s clearance fell to Tijjani Reijnders who drove into the Chelsea and fired in an unstoppable left-footed strike into the roof of the net with Filip Jörgensen having no chance to make a save. Pep Guardiola’s side now had a goal to show for their dominance and their lead was well-deserved.

🚨🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 REIJNDERS OPENS THE SCORING FOR MANCHESTER CITY!

Manchester City 1-0 Chelsea.pic.twitter.com/q8yoxBYZ6v

— Tekkers Foot (@tekkersfoot) January 4, 2026

Pep Guardiola’s side would take a 1-nil lead into halftime. City were the better team and did deserve their lead after their first-half display. Rodri’s performance was astounding. Especially considering how long he has been out of action, he was clearly the best player on the pitch during the opening 45 minutes. He dictated the tempo of the match and going forward, he was Manchester City’s most dangerous weapon. His passing had split open the Chelsea defence on several occasions. Out of possession, Rodri was superb with his positioning and ability to break up Chelsea’s attempts to get out.

But the job was only half done for Pep Guardiola’s side at halftime and you did feel that they’d need more goals to see off the threat of Chelsea.

Second half

Chelsea should have drawn level in the 49th minute. Chelsea broke after Rodri was dispossessed by Malo Gusto in midfield. Cole Palmer drove at the stretched Manchester City defence and picked out Enzo Fernandez on the left. Fernandez played a ball across to Pedro Neto who fired over the bar from close range. It was a gilt-edged chance missed by Neto, there is no other way to put it.

During Chelsea’s attack, Josko Gvardiol went down injured and he stayed down during the move. He was replaced by Abdukodir Khusanov with what looked to be a foot or ankle injury.

Two surging and powerful runs by Erling Haaland caught the eye as the game entered the half-hour mark. One saw Josh Acheampong deny Haaland with a superb sliding tackle. The other saw Haaland pick up the ball in his own half and surge at the Chelsea defence. Haaland worked his way into a shooting position but his shot was blocked by Benoit Badiashile. Manchester City had a shout for a penalty when Rayan Cherki thought he was fouled by Chelsea captain Reece James as he went to shoot from the penalty spot. But James got the ball and City’s penalty shout fell on deaf ears.

Chelsea have their first shot on target as Liam Delap makes an impact.

Gianluigi Donnarumma would make his first save of the match in the 72nd minute. Liam Delap had Chelsea’s first shot on target after he was picked out by a quality pass from the left by Pedro Neto. Delap fired in a powerful left-footed strike from a tight angle that Donnarumma saved well.

After Liam Delap pushed Abdukodir Khusanov into the advertising hoardings a scuffle ensued. It was a poor move from Delap who was deservedly shown a yellow card. Nathan Ake replaced Ruben Dias for the closing ten minutes plus stoppage time of the match as Dias had given all he could for the cause.

As the game entered stoppage time, Chelsea were pushing for an equaliser.  Cole Palmer had an air swing from a good position in the 89th minute and the visitors were pushing against a tired City side. You did sense that Manchester City would have to dig deep to hold onto their lead.

Chelsea equalise in the 94th minute.

Manchester City couldn’t hang onto their lead as Enzo Fernandez would equalise in the 94th minute. Malo Gusto got past Nico O’Reilly and surged down the right wing. He played a teasing ball across the City area and Enzo Fernandez arrived unmarked at the backpost. Fernandez scuffed his first attempt at goal but he did put his second chance away to equalise for Chelsea. Pep Guardiola’s side only had themselves to blame as they had their chances in the second-half and failed to take them.

The goal from Enzo Fernandez would be the final significant moment of the match. Pep Guardiola’s side had dropped two points, and rather than feeling like a point gained this result did feel like two points dropped by City.

First thoughts at the final whistle.

Manchester City had seemingly done what they had to do until the 94th minute. But their inability to put Chelsea away cost them as a late equaliser from Enzo Fernandez saw Chelsea leave the Etihad with a point.

For Pep Guardiola’s side, that result was a poor one. As good as Rodri’s performance was, dropping points in that manner does sting. Perhaps more importantly, Manchester City’s injury issues keep mounting up and with Brighton up next, City have to overcome adversity to ensure that they don’t lose more ground to Arsenal.