Metropolis needed to accept a degree as a Tijjani Reijnders first-half strike was cancelled out by a last-gasp Enzo Fernandez leveller in our 1-1 draw with Chelsea.
On a night the place temperatures hit freezing, Dutchman Reijnders scored a scorcher – his third aim in his final three begins – to present us an interval lead.
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However Fernandez bundled residence on the demise to assist the guests to a share of the spoils.
The end result moved us up into second spot within the Premier League desk above Aston Villa on aim distinction, six factors behind leaders Arsenal.
THE GAME IN 250 WORDS
Forward of kick-off, there have been a touching few moments right here on the Etihad as gamers, employees and followers fell silent to recollect these we’ve got misplaced previously 12 months, amongst them star footballers Tony Guide and Denis Regulation together with celebrated star supporters Ricky Hatton and John Stapleton.
When the sport received underway, it took time to warmth up within the baltic temperatures surrounding Manchester.
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Phil Foden shot simply large on 20 minutes after good build-up that noticed Matheus Nunes flash a ball ahead to Tijjani Reijnders who then performed within the England playmaker.
Erling Haaland got here to the fore simply earlier than the half hour mark however his header flew simply large below stress from Benoit Badiashile.
Bernardo Silva confirmed great ability on 36 minutes jinking backward and forward earlier than firing simply over the bar.
Haaland ran onto a Foden flick moments later however his deflected shot was properly parried away by Filip Jorgensen earlier than the Norwegian No.9 struck the within of the put up after being performed in by the returning Rodri.
Simply because it appeared like Metropolis’s dominance may not bear fruit, Dutchman Reijnders supplied a second of magic, smashing residence a left foot strike into the roof of the online.
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Pedro Neto cleared the crossbar simply after the restart as Enzo Fernandez arrange the Portuguese star for an opportunity that basically ought to have been transformed.
That effort was orchestrated in opposition to the backdrop of Josko Gvardiol happening injured, the versatile defender finally having to be carried off and changed by Abdukodir Khusanov.
Simply earlier than the hour, there was the searing sight of Haaland operating immediately on the opposition defence, Badiashile finally blocking the Premier League main scorer’s strike simply because it seemed like he could double our benefit.
It might and presumably ought to have been two for the hosts when Cherki laid the ball off to Bernardo, the move barely undercooked with Chelsea clearing the hazard.
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The guests have been trying harmful, too, with substitute Liam Delap having fun with alternative, the previous Metropolis starlet seeing a close-range effort properly saved by Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Delap didn’t endear himself to the Metropolis trustworthy after a shove on Khusanov that had the Uzbeki ace fly into the promoting hoardings and the Chelsea striker booked for the infringement.
There was toing and froing as the ultimate whistle approached however Guardiola’s males seemed set to carry on for a worthwhile three factors earlier than Fernandez beat Donnarumma on the again put up from a Mato Gusto cross within the fourth of six minutes of stoppage time.
TEAMS
CITY XI: Donnarumma, Nunes, Dias (Ake 81’), Gvardiol (Khusanov 51’), O’Reilly, Rodri, Bernardo (C), Reijnders (Doku 70’), Foden, Cherki, Haaland
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Subs: Trafford, McAidoo, Mukasa, Lewis, Mfuni, R Heskey
CHELSEA XI: Jorgensen, Acheampong (Hato 62’), Chalobah, Badiashile, Gusto, Fernandez, James (c), Estevao (Santos 46’), Palmer, Neto, Joao Pedro (Delap 62’)
Subs: Merrick, Slonina, Tosin, Garnacho, Gittens, Guiu
“We managed fairly properly within the first half.
“Within the second half that they had probabilities. We misplaced two balls to start with. We missed gifted gamers on the finish – two in opposition to one and three in opposition to two.
“They didn’t create a lot. We have been extraordinary in all departments besides we couldn’t rating a second or a 3rd or a fourth.
“After all within the second half they made a step up, first half they have been a bit of extra cautious after which had nothing to lose and on the finish they discovered the reward.”
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RODRI REACTION
“It’s irritating in fact however on the finish it’s what it’s.
“We created sufficient probabilities to win the sport three or 4 nil, however that is soccer. In case you don’t take your probabilities with nothing they only draw the sport.
“So we’ve got to be taught from this. There’s nonetheless a good distance and we simply have to deal with the following video games.
“First half was good, sufficient to attain three or 4 objectives. Within the second half we forgot a bit of bit play they usually received management of the sport, shedding simple balls.
“Generally whenever you defend, defend, defend, they didn’t have a lot however they get a draw. There’s nonetheless an extended approach to go.”
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WHAT IT MEANS
Metropolis transfer again into second spot within the Premier League.
Aston Villa’s 3-1 conquer Nottingham Forest in Saturday’s early sport helped them leapfrog us however tonight’s 1-1 draw places us again the place we began the weekend.
Pep Guardiola’s males are six factors behind Arsenal, who gained 3-2 at Bournemouth, after 20 video games.
WHAT’S NEXT
We’re again on residence soil in our subsequent encounter.
Metropolis tackle Brighton within the Premier League on the Etihad on Wednesday 7 January, with a 19:30 (UK) kick-off.
That’s adopted up swiftly with an FA Cup third spherical conflict with Exeter Metropolis, once more on the Etihad, with a conventional 15:00 (UK) begin on Saturday 10 January.
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Information about Man Metropolis v Chelsea
Watch: Pep Guardiola’s post-Chelsea press convention
Watch Pep Guardiola communicate to the media following our 1-1 draw with Chelsea.
Guardiola braced for double defensive blow
Pep Guardiola fears Metropolis could have misplaced each Josko Gvardiol and Ruben Dias to harm after our 1-1 draw with Chelsea.