Manchester City entered 2026 with six consecutive wins in the Premier League, and then suffered two setbacks in the space of four days - after a goalless draw with Sunderland (0:0), the "citizens" also drew with Chelsea at the "Etihad" in the 20th round - 1:1.
City are now six points behind Arsenal, who beat Bournemouth 3-2 on Saturday, and were left without a win over Chelsea in injury time when Enzo Fernandes equalised. Tijani Reynders had previously scored for City.
Chelsea arrived at the Etihad after the club's board thanked Enzo Maresca on the first day of 2026. The team was led by youth team coach Callum McFarlane, but even he failed to end the Blues' winless streak, which after this draw has reached four matches.
The London team was the first to threaten Manchester, with Estevao having a chance after 20 minutes, but he was blocked, while the home team threatened a minute later through Reynders, when the ball went wide. Erling Haaland had two excellent chances in the final moments of the first half - the first time he was stopped by goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen, who was replacing the injured Roberto Sanchez, and then Haaland hit the post.
And then in the 42nd minute, Pep Guardiola's team took the lead, with Reynders scoring the goal, while Ryan Sharkey had a chance towards the end of the first half, but he got caught.
Pedro Neto opened the second half with a chance, and City missed chances. Haaland had a chance, followed by Bernardo Silva, City should have settled the match earlier, but failed, so a penalty was awarded. In the 94th minute, Malo Gusto made a phenomenal run down the right side, freed Nunes, and slotted the ball into the box, and Fernandes, with a lot of luck, shook the net and set up the final result.
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