EPL: Late Chelsea Equaliser Denies Man City Vital Win
2 min read
By Sedara Philip
Manchester City missed a valuable opportunity to reduce the gap on Premier League leaders Arsenal after being held to a dramatic 1–1 draw by Chelsea in Sunday’s encounter.
Pep Guardiola’s side came into the match under pressure, having already dropped points in a goalless draw at Sunderland to open the 2026 calendar year.
With Arsenal continuing to set the pace at the summit, City knew victory was essential to stay firmly in the title race.
Despite dominating possession and territory, the defending champions struggled to turn control into goals against a Chelsea side playing without a permanent manager.
City eventually broke the deadlock when Tijjani Reijnders finished off a well-worked move to give the visitors a deserved lead.
Opportunities to put the game beyond Chelsea soon followed, but Erling Haaland and Phil Foden both spurned clear chances that would have doubled City’s advantage.
Those missed opportunities came back to haunt Guardiola’s men in the closing stages.
Deep into stoppage time, Chelsea found a dramatic equaliser as Enzo Fernández arrived unmarked at the far post to slot home, stunning City and salvaging a point for the hosts.
The draw leaves Manchester City back in second place on the Premier League table, level on points with Aston Villa but ahead only on goal difference. Both sides now sit six points adrift of leaders Arsenal after 20 matches.
Chelsea, meanwhile, remain in fifth position with 31 points, continuing their push for European qualification.
Sedara Philip is a Sports writer, an administrator,Journalist,and editor
