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Who would have thought {that a} rookie supervisor – who solely seven months in the past was a youth workforce coach at Southampton – would play such a probably important position within the Premier League title race?

This was the primary sport that Calum McFarlane has ever been accountable for a senior workforce. At any stage. And he was up in opposition to a minimum of Pep Guardiola, the best coach of his technology, who has been within the technical space for 1,012 matches.

It’d the primary and the final for McFarlane though the way in which he coached Chelsea and the way in which he spoke afterwards suggests in any other case. He seems to be like one to look at.

Not least as a result of the enduring picture was Guardiola elevating his eyes to the sky and howling in frustration whereas McFarlane celebrated a couple of ft away from him after Enzo Fernandez’s deserved equalising objective deep into stoppage time.

Pep Guardiola couldn’t disguise his frustration after Enzo Fernandez’s stoppage-time equaliser for Chelsea – AP/Dave Thompson

“Cling it within the Louvre”, as they are saying. Hopefully for McFarlane that picture could have been captured by a photographer as a result of regardless of the 40-year-old goes on to realize in his profession he ought to at all times have that second.

“It was superb, stuff you dream about. Pep Guardiola, Premier League sport, superb,” McFarlane mentioned afterwards.

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And to suppose, additionally, that previous to becoming a member of Southampton McFarlane was a youth workforce coach at Metropolis earlier than, final week, being requested to step up from his position with Chelsea’s Underneath-21 to take the senior workforce following the abrupt departure of Enzo Maresca and his workers.

Metropolis will really feel they threw it away – and their sport administration was questionable, whereas defensive accidents mount – however regardless of the purpose this was a extremely damaging draw for them.

Following on from the midweek draw at Sunderland they’re now out of the blue six factors behind Arsenal who’re starting to have the relentless sheen and robustness of potential champions.

If that occurs how they and Mikel Arteta will elevate a toast to McFarlane who is anticipated to take Chelsea coaching tomorrow earlier than handing over to Liam Rosenior who has flown in to London to seal his transfer from Strasbourg.

At occasions in the previous couple of days it has felt that the Chelsea possession consider they’ll function the membership with no head coach. Was this efficiency a affirmation of that?

Liam Rosenior is flying to London for talks over the vacant Chelsea supervisor’s job – AFP/SEBASTIEN BOZON

No, it will do an enormous dis-service to McFarlane who confirmed some astute in-game administration, shift of techniques and substitutions. His beginning line-up regarded defensive and when he withdrew Estevao Willian at half-time and introduced on Andrey Santos it gave the impression to be turning into an train in harm limitation with Metropolis 1-0 up, on high, having hit the publish by means of Erling Haaland and created extra possibilities.

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Not so, as McFarlane defined afterwards. “They [City] had loads of management and we had been getting pinned again,” he mentioned. “So, we made a change at half-time to go extra man-for-man in opposition to the ball and disrupt their rhythm. The form modified and the subs we made actually helped us.”

All of it labored. It meant Fernandez – who scored after all – moved additional ahead with Cole Palmer switched to the proper. When Liam Delap got here on, changing the ineffective Joao Pedro, there was additionally extra operating energy to stretch Metropolis’s creaking defence which misplaced Josko Gvardiol and Ruben Dias to harm.

McFarlane with Reece James, the Chelsea captain, who was named man of the match – PA/Martin Rickett

“We will discuss that however probably the most spectacular factor was the gamers 1-0 down on the Etihad with an interim supervisor and with gamers going ailing on the day of the sport,” McFarlane added.

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It was and he may also have the second that Chelsea captain Reece James – excellent in midfield, a response to those that declare the workforce doesn’t have leaders – pushed him ahead to take the acclaim from the travelling supporters.

To suppose the way it had regarded and sounded so completely different. Tijjani Reijnders had given Metropolis their first-half lead as they countered by means of Rodri and Rayan Cherki with the midfielder cleverly rolling his studs over the ball earlier than putting a strong rising shot past stand-in goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen.

At the moment the primary noise from the Chelsea followers had been chants of “Roman Abramovich” which felt like a protest in opposition to the present possession and it gave the impression to be a query of simply what number of Metropolis would rating.

It didn’t occur. They merely didn’t create sufficient and they didn’t present the ruthlessness of a aspect destined for the title. A second objective would have killed Chelsea’s resistance however as an alternative they had been inspired with Pedro Neto sidefooting wastefully over, after Fernandez set him up, and Delap forcing an alert block from Gianluigi Donnarumma.

By the point the board confirmed six minutes of added time Chelsea had been the more than likely to attain and Metropolis had been attempting to run the clock down. Then Malo Gusto crossed low from the proper, Donnarumma beautifully parried Fernandez’s first effort just for him to stab dwelling the rebound.

The time was at 93 minutes and 14 seconds – virtually exactly (simply six seconds earlier) the identical as that well-known Sergio Aguero objective again in 2012. That delivered Metropolis’s first Premier League title. We can’t say that Fernandez – a fellow Argentinian – didn’t rating the objective that helped deny them one other. Not but anyway. However it could have a better bearing come Could.

Metropolis undergo double harm blow

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Pep Guardiola’s title hopes have been hit with a double harm blow after Rúben Dias and Joško Gvardiol had been compelled off injured within the draw in opposition to Chelsea.

Guardiola’s first-choice centre-backs can be scanned on Monday to find out the extent of the harm suffered within the second half, with Manchester Metropolis dropping extra factors to lose floor on leaders Arsenal.

With John Stones already out and Nathan Ake unable to play matches in fast succession, Guardiola faces an harm disaster forward of a vital sport in opposition to Brighton on Wednesday.

“We’ll see nevertheless it doesn’t look good,” mentioned Guardiola. “Him [Gvardiol] and Rúben, we’ll see what occurs. With Rúben it seems to be like muscle. I didn’t converse to the physician but when Ruben is out it’s as a result of he felt one thing.”

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Gvardiol was helped down the tunnel by two Metropolis workers as he was unable to place weight on his left ankle, whereas Dias was compelled off with 9 minutes left after feeling a pressure off the ball.

Josko Gvardiol was compelled off shortly after the beginning of the second half – AFP/Oli Scarff

“We have now loads [of injuries]. John Stones is lacking for I don’t know what number of months. Rúben now can be out, Josko can be out. Nathan, at all times we all know with Nathan he can’t play often.

“It’s the scenario. Keep robust and we’ll discover a resolution. The spirit is there and can be there. In fact I’ve considerations. Have you ever seen the bench immediately? 4 gamers from the academy and now we could have extra. We don’t have gamers.”

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After Dias went off, Chelsea equalised within the 94th minute by means of Enzo Fernández, cancelling out Tijjani Reijnders’ strike. Regardless of the harm blows, Guardiola should resolve whether or not he goes into the January marketplace for a defender if they’re out long-term.

“I don’t suppose so however we’ll see what occurs as a result of I do know Ruben is an enormous loss and Josko is an enormous loss,” mentioned the Metropolis supervisor.

08:27pm

Sky Sports activities understands that Liam Rosenior is interviewing for the job tomorrow

08:22pm

‘This group is outstanding’: Chelsea interim supervisor Calum McFarlane’s response

“I feel the primary factor is for the three days we’ve labored with the gamers, they’re open. They’re hard-working, trustworthy, they wish to do the proper issues. I can’t talk about my modifications greater than them shopping for into it and making use of what we wished them to do. I assumed they did that exceptionally effectively within the second half.”

“The group have been distinctive. As a [under] 21 workers coming in, we couldn’t ask for something extra. No egos, utterly on board, coaching has been good. Enzo, Reece, Tosin, when it comes to their management and administration of the group now the supervisor is gone and there may be an interim in … Levi, Cucu[rella], Moises, all right here travelling although they know they aren’t going to play.

The togetherness within the group is outstanding. That’s the reason this group can win huge video games and massive moments, they’ve completed it once more immediately. At 1-0 down at half-time, interim supervisor, gamers injured, everyone seems to be anticipating the worst. However the character this group has is why they’ll go and beat PSG, beat Barca, play with 10 males in opposition to Arsenal and be the higher workforce, it’s why they’ll do that on the Etihad. They’re an distinctive group of individuals.

[On whether the experience has given him a taste for this] Clearly I’m inexperienced, however I actually loved it. Sooner or later, I might love to do this however in the intervening time, I really like my position, my job. I’ve received a very good position at Chelsea, I’m simply right here to help within the short-term till the brand new supervisor is available in and I’m glad I can try this and help the gamers.”

08:09pm

‘We had possibilities to shut the sport’: Pep Guardiola’s response

“One motion and [they] rating a objective. We had loads of actions, we play a unbelievable sport, so pity for the outcome.

[On whether he was particularly pleased with the first 45 minutes] 90 minutes. 95. We performed so good all sport, it’s regular within the second half they make a step-up, they had been extra aggressive as a result of usually Chelsea is just not like that, they make a step-up, it was tougher. We have now two choices to start with of the sport as a result of we lose simpler balls with Tijjani [Reijnders] and Matheus [Nunes].

However the remaining, we had possibilities in the proper second to shut the sport, in the long run we couldn’t do it and when it went 1-0, something can occur with the standard that they had.

[How are Dias and Gvardiol?] It doesn’t look good, we’ll see the subsequent days.

We knew when you will have all of the squad, you’ll be able to compete and rotate. Proper now, it’s the scenario and we could have one other vitality to get again. I can’t change the [schedule ahead], it’s the place it’s.”

07:58pm

Chelsea’s modifications labored

Chelsea had eight photographs within the match and 7 got here within the second half. Neto most likely ought to have scored minutes after the restart. There have been warning indicators earlier than Enzo’s late, late equaliser.

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Callum McFarlane received the workforce taking part in in a extra aggressive approach and is unbeaten as an expert soccer supervisor.

Interim supervisor Calum McFarlane applauds the travelling Chelsea help – Chelsea FC

07:50pm

‘We’re in a tough second’: Reece James’s post-match response

“We needed to settle for what went on earlier within the week and put it behind us. We got here right here with a sport plan, we all know what stage we are able to carry out at after we are all collectively and all firing. The primary half we made a slight error for his or her objective, however the second half, we grew into the sport, knew an opportunity would come and this man took his likelihood when it got here.

Credit score to the workers that stepped up. They haven’t been on this position earlier than, to come back to Metropolis away as your first first-team sport is tough. We needed to adapt quick, the primary half we felt that they had an excessive amount of of the ball, we needed to make slight changes and got here out with a barely completely different plan within the second half.

We’re in a tough second, we’ve to face collectively, we’re one. We missed many individuals that travelled immediately, however so many different gamers stepped up. We fought as a workforce immediately and I’m pleased with the boys … we dug in and received a degree.

We all know nothing in the intervening time [in terms of when a new manager comes in], this entire week was about this sport. What occurs behind the scenes is just not all the way down to us. We take a degree at a very tough place to come back, we’ve to get better, we play once more in a couple of days.”

07:32pm

Full time: Metropolis 1 Chelsea 1

Metropolis couldn’t seal the take care of all their possession and regarded more and more susceptible on the break because the half progressed. Nice level for Chelsea which leaves the highest six trying like this, with Arsenal six factors clear:

07:30pm

90+8 min: Man Metropolis 1 Chelsea 1

Bernardo sticks a right-wing cross on to the roof of the online and the ref blows for time.

07:29pm

90+6 min: Man Metropolis 1 Chelsea 1

Pep seems to be like he’s seen a ghost. Metropolis have wasted so many good positions, they’ve introduced this on to themselves.

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Metropolis had been time-wasting {and professional} fouling earlier than that Enzo equaliser. They deserved that late blow. Chelsea’s bench had been fairly assured that each one their gamers had been onside, even when there was a VAR delay. With the unrestrained ardour of the celebration, most can be glad the objective stood.

07:25pm

GOAL!

Man Metropolis 1 Chelsea 1 (Enzo) A late point-saver? From the free-kick James sends Gusto down the proper and he storms spherical O’Reilly to cross. Ake slides in however solely will get a toe on it and the ball spins in the direction of the again publish the place Enzo has a few bites at it, thwarted at first by Donnarumma however then pokes it in.

07:25pm

90+4 min: Man Metropolis 1 Chelsea 0

Bernardo Silva is penalised for hauling Andrey Santos over after which booting the ball away. Yellow card.

07:24pm

90+2 min: Man Metropolis 1 Chelsea 0

Chelsea need to go lengthy and James picks out Gusto’s run up the proper. He beats Ake to the move however then flops on to the ground as if hoping for a free-kick that doesn’t come.

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Haaland virtually despatched by means of with a scooped move. Applause from the gang, however Guardiola goes ballistic at his workforce. He noticed that Jeremy Doku was free on the left and wished a easy move.

07:22pm

90 min: Man Metropolis 1 Chelsea 0

Now Palmer has a swing and a miss at a shot within the field when teed up by Hato. He’d opened up his physique to attempt to divert it from extensive of the left publish. That lack of precision has value Chelsea up to now.

Six minutes of stoppage time are signalled on the board.

07:19pm

87 min: Man Metropolis 1 Chelsea 0

Chelsea simply haven’t been adequate with their ahead passes constantly although Metropolis look as in the event that they’re exhausted.

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Ruben Dias coming off relatively than Khusanov is a priority for Metropolis, who’ve struggled with accidents in that place. John Stones has been out and Gvardiol injured on this sport. Fascinating that Nathan Ake has been given minutes right here after beginning in opposition to Sunderland on Thursday. There have been Premier League golf equipment monitoring his scenario, with the Sunderland begin his first since October 18. Maybe Guardiola is attempting to maintain him completely satisfied. 

07:17pm

85 min: Man Metropolis 1 Chelsea 0

Chelsea free-kick simply contained in the Metropolis half after a foul on James. They work it again to Jorgensen.

07:15pm

83 min: Man Metropolis 1 Chelsea 0

Loud, sarcastic cheers when Delap miscontrols a move.

07:13pm

81 min: Man Metropolis 1 Chelsea 0

Ake → Dias.

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Fiden glides down the center and tries to slide in Haaland by means of the centre however Badiashile will get between the centre-forward and the ball and buys sufficient time for the keeper to hurry out and smother.

07:12pm

80 min: Man Metropolis 1 Chelsea 0

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Metropolis reject, shout the Metropolis followers after Delap pushes Khusanov into the promoting hoardings. Little bit of needle to the ultimate 10 minutes.

07:11pm

78 min: Man Metropolis 1 Chelsea 0

Delap shoves Kushanov into the promoting hoardings after the defender held him off within the field and shepherded the ball out for a goal-kick. Nunes, Dias and Bernardo go garrity with their former team-mate, banging chests and prodding him whereas Delap simply smiles. Ultimately Delap and Nunes are booked.

07:08pm

76 min: Man Metropolis 1 Chelsea 0

Groans echo across the Etihad after Doku’s superb right-foot move from the left sends Foden free down the wing. However with just one Chelsea defender between him and Cherki he’s mortified to see Badiashile judging the move completely to cease it reaching its goal who would have been one-on-one with Jorgensen.

07:05pm

73 min: Man Metropolis 1 Chelsea 0

Delap rolls Khusanov within the field, latching on to Neto’s move, to shoot. Khusanov slid in to dam and the ball skipped up off his toe and Donnarumma managed to dam it with the proper aspect of his chest and biceps.

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They know all about Liam Delap right here on the Etihad Stadium. He most likely can be taking part in for them immediately if it wasn’t for a sure Erling Haaland being on the membership. That was an honest effort by the England hopeful, forcing a save from Gianluigi Donnarumma.

07:03pm

70 min: Man Metropolis 1 Chelsea 0

Fantastic Metropolis transfer. Donnarumma chips it as much as Haaland who nods it down the proper for Cherki. The No 10 glides into the field then squares it for Bernardo however didn’t get sufficient on the move, permitting Hato the time to slip in and knock it away as Bernardo, with eyes widened, drew again his left foot to shoot.

Doku → Reijnders.

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Reece James taking part in in central midfield for the final month has gone below the radar a bit. It’s an choice for Thomas Tuchel on the World Cup subsequent 12 months. James has had an honest afternoon, on the coronary heart of Chelsea’s greatest strikes forwards and positionally disciplined. He has picked up a reserving, which was barely unlucky for a follow-through that he might do little about.

Metropolis have defended effectively up to now when Chelsea have gotten into an honest positions. McFarlane has his workforce taking part in in a extra attacking approach now, with Liam Delap up entrance and getting help from Pedro Neto and Cole Palmer.

07:00pm

68 min: Man Metropolis 1 Chelsea 0

Chelsea are trying more and more adventurous and harmful however want extra perception and nerve from Pedro Neto who will get into good positions however then performs the secure choice, as if consumed by doubt.

06:59pm

66 min: Man Metropolis 1 Chelsea 0

Associates and rivals – PA/Martin Rickett

06:56pm

64 min: Man Metropolis 1 Chelsea 0

A few careless Chelsea passes virtually let Haaland and Cherki in however first Hato after which Badiashile sweep up the mess.

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Abdukodir Khusanov is making simply his second Premier League look since Sept 21 when he was taken off at half-time in opposition to Arsenal. He has slotted straight in at centre-back alongside Ruben Dias. However whereas Pep Guardiola has not been utilizing him often, the Metropolis supervisor nonetheless charges final January’s signings – together with Khusanov – as season-saving. With out them, Metropolis can be taking part in within the Europa Convention League, in response to Guardiola.

06:54pm

62 min: Man Metropolis 1 Chelsea 0

Double Chelsea change:

Hato → AcheampongDelap → Joao Pedro.

06:53pm

61 min: Man Metropolis 1 Chelsea 0

Metropolis followers shout for a penalty when Cherki goes over within the Chelsea field however he wasn’t accountable for the ball and his contact allowed James to get his foot in forward and prod the ball away earlier than Cherki went over his leg.

06:52pm

59 min: Man Metropolis 1 Chelsea 0

Wonderful block by Badiashile with Haaland galloping in the direction of the field, lengthening his stride, steam coming from each nostrils. When he unleashes that thunderbolt of a shot, Badiashile managed to get his leg in the way in which and preserve him ready for that a hundred and fiftieth Metropolis objective.

06:50pm

57 min: Man Metropolis 1 Chelsea 0

Terrific restoration sort out from Acheampong to slip from Haaland’s left whereas he was in full flight to place the ball behind. Acheampong had misplaced the ball to Haaland however made amends.

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Chelsea followers are in good voice, singing the identify of their former proprietor Roman Abramovich.

06:47pm

54 min: Man Metropolis 1 Chelsea 0

Dias is booked for taking out Joao Pedro who had knocked the ball previous him. The Metropolis defender took a step to his proper and blocked the run forcefully.

06:44pm

52 min: Man Metropolis 1 Chelsea 0

Reece James helps Gvardiol, who has harm his ankle, off.

Khusanov → Gvardiol.

Chelsea are taking part in 3-4-2-1 with Gusto and Pedro Neto as wing-backs and Palmer and Enzo behind Joao Pedro.

James is booked for following by means of on Rodri and catching him on the highest of the foot along with his studs.

06:42pm

49 min: Man Metropolis 1 Chelsea 0

Neto scoops a shot over from eight yards. Needed to rating. Chelsea had damaged after Gvardiol went down and had a 4v3 overload. Palmer and Enzo did very effectively to interrupt into the field after which Enzo gift-wrapped the chance that Pedro Neto squandered.

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Metropolis usually are not notably pleased with that Chelsea likelihood as Josko Gvardiol was down injured as Pedro Neto shot over. He’s nonetheless getting therapy.

The truth is, the sort out from Malo Gusto was robust sufficient for Gvardiol to come back off. He’s being helped by two members of the Metropolis workers down the tunnel for therapy.

06:40pm

47 min: Man Metropolis 1 Chelsea 0

Pedro Neto is performed down the left by Enzo’s intelligent dink previous Cherki. He sprints away from Nunes and has time and area to shoot however decides to go up a cul de sac close to the byline and lower the ball again. Solely Joao Pedro was with him and he was surrounded so the ball deflects off Dias and is definitely caught by Donnarumma.

06:38pm

46 min: Man Metropolis 1 Chelsea 0

Andrey Santos → Estevao.

One Brazilian for an additional, a central midfielder for a winger to assist stem Metropolis’s midfield artistic dominance. Cole Palmer strikes to the proper and the full-backs have switched with Enzo pushed additional ahead.

06:23pm

Half-time: Man Metropolis 1 Chelsea 0

An odd half, dominated by Metropolis when it comes to possession and touches within the opposition field however Chelsea, James and Gusto in notably, had been defending very effectively. However there was no outlet for them once they did win the ball again and appeared resigned to sitting again and attempting to repel every wave of assault. For a lot of the half Cuty’s exertions had been undone by a scarcity of precision and a few overplaying. After which Reijnders seized his likelihood by the slack of its collar and smashed within the opener.

06:20pm

45+1 min: Man Metropolis 1 Chelsea 0

Foden takes a swing at a volley from 15 yards and hammers it over the bar along with his proper foot. Had it been on his left…

06:19pm

44 min: Man Metropolis 1 Chelsea 0

It could have been coming however Chelsea had a hand in it when Palmer misplaced the ball in a promising place 30 yards from objective on a uncommon foray up entrance.

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That objective had many alternative faces of Metropolis. Rodri was on the coronary heart of it – simply touching the ball to Cherki for him to arrange the transfer. When the ball broke for Tijjani Reinders, there was the choice to seek out Haaland however the Dutch midfielder rolled his studs over the ball to make a yard of area and end. This can be robust going now for Chelsea. Possibly a change at half-time to get Garnacho within the sport.

06:14pm

GOAL!

Man Metropolis 1 Chelsea 0 (Reijnders) Rams a left-foot rising shot into the roof of the online from the left of the field, beating Badiashile’s sliding try to dam. He larruped that. The move from Bernardo was meant for Haaland however was intercepted and knocked into Reijnders’ stride.

06:13pm

40 min: Man Metropolis 0 Chelsea 0

The nook involves naught however Metropolis regroup to assault down the left with O’Reilly difficult James, illegally in response to Gary Neville, switching it throughout to the within proper to Haaland who steps in on to his left, in that outdated acquainted approach, and raps a shot on to the within of the left publish. It rebounds throughout the six-yard line and away from hazard.

06:11pm

38 min: Man Metropolis 0 Chelsea 0

Metropolis nook after Haaland’s left-foot shot from 18 yards hits Badiashile’s heel as he knelt to dam and wobbles in the direction of objective. Jorgensen dives to his left to show it behind.

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Metropolis are getting nearer right here. Erling Haaland has simply had an effort tipped across the publish after which struck the woodwork, whereas Bernardo Silva cleared the crossbar after reducing inside. McFarlane’s tactic is to get males behind the ball. Sure, they’re a flat-back 4 however Reece James and Josh Acheampong sitting in entrance of them means they’ll stretch out with 5 – 6 throughout the backline.

06:10pm

36 min: Man Metropolis 0 Chelsea 0

Bernardo has a stuttering run in from the left as he stops to attempt to shake off Gusto earlier than beginning once more, feinting left and proper, however Gusto doesn’t surrender and stalks him all the way in which unil Bernardo reaches the proper of the D and tries to bend a left-foot shot into the highest nook across the left-back which sails out for a goal-kick. Too straight. Not sufficient curve.

06:08pm

34 min: Man Metropolis 0 Chelsea 0

James once more smells the hazard of a Metropolis move or cross and snuffs it out with glorious positioning. He’s such a tremendous participant. Must be England’s beginning right-back if he stays match. Nunes’ cute move to Cherki doesn’t come off however Gusto, security first, lumps the ball ahead to Donnarumma relatively than threat a sq. move. No runners off Joao Pedro because it’s all fingers to the pump in defence.

06:05pm

32 min: Man Metropolis 0 Chelsea 0

Chelsea are efficiently consuming up loads of time over their restarts and the whistles of the house crowd does nothing to dissuade them from doing so. A whistle from the ref can be one other matter however they hardly ever have the bottle to take action within the first hour.

06:03pm

30 min: Man Metropolis 0 Chelsea 0

Estevao and Pedro Neto have switched wings with Estevao now on the proper.

06:01pm

29 min: Man Metropolis 0 Chelsea 0

Good defending from Badiashile to trace Haaland’s run and compete for the cross stood up by Reijnders on the run from the left. Badiashile will get sufficient forehead on it to squeeze it behind for a nook which, once more, Chelsea defend solidly.

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That is tighter than anticipated this sport. Chelsea are taking part in fairly effectively, breaking ahead at occasions and seeing an honest effort from Estevao blocked within the penalty space. Nothing an excessive amount of from Metropolis but and Pep Guardiola is clearly not completely satisfied – he made his emotions clear throughout a dialog with Josko Gvardiol.

05:59pm

27 min: Man Metropolis 0 Chelsea 0

Rodri lurks on the 18-yard line for the nook then makes the late run to satisfy Cherki’s cross. However the centre was too floaty and allowed Chelsea to come back out and problem, forcing him to biff his header extensive.

05:58pm

25 min: Man Metropolis 0 Chelsea 0

Badiashile reads the flight of Bernardo’s cross completely to go it away earlier than Haaland however Metropolis regroup and assault down the left, incomes a nook that Acheampong disputes.

05:57pm

23 min: Man Metropolis 0 Chelsea 0

Metropolis do look drained however then Guardiola says he prefers a smaller group,

Gusto warches Cherki – Reuters/Phil Noble

05:55pm

20 min: Man Metropolis 0 Chelsea 0

Metropolis break from that block with an exquisite diagonal move from Nunes out to Reijnders on the left. The Holland midfielder rattles over a move to the proper of the D that Foden cushions superbly along with his proper to wrongfoot Gusto and permit him to throw his steadiness on to his left to shoot however he screws his effort a few yard extensive.

05:53pm

18 min: Man Metropolis 0 Chelsea 0

Pedro Neto has the beating of Matheus Nunes as he jinks down the left, takes him on the within and squares it to Estevao whose shot from 12 yards is blocked by Gvardiol spread-eagling himself.

05:51pm

16 min: Man Metropolis 0 Chelsea 0

The Chelsea followers, like their Metropolis counterparts, should be frozen however Estevao is sufficient to heat the Baltic Sea and his promising however in the end ineffective run down the proper triggers a refrain of ‘Chelsea, Chelsea, Chelsea!’

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Gary Neville says the sport is tranquil. The gamers look knackered… and nonetheless yet another spherical of ‘festive’ fixtures to come back on Wednesday.

05:48pm

14 min: Man Metropolis 0 Chelsea 0

Chelsea are defending rather well and though Metropolis are hogging possession, it’s all relatively sterile up to now.

05:46pm

13 min: Man Metropolis 0 Chelsea 0

Fernandez pokes the scooped free-kick behind however Chelsea defend the following nook effectively.

05:45pm

11 min: Man Metropolis 0 Chelsea 0

Enzo lazily throws out an arm to attempt to cease Cherki relatively than participating after jockeying him and leaves James uncovered as Metropolis’s No 10 runs off forward after brushing Fernandez away. James sticks his leg throughout Cherki in full flight and concedes the free-kick,  proper of centre, 25 yards out.

05:43pm

10 min: Man Metropolis 0 Chelsea 0

Diligent defending by Gusto stops the ball excessive, left to proper, reaching Cherki within the field.

05:42pm

7 min: Man Metropolis 0 Chelsea 0

Metropolis probe patiently, shifting the ball easily till Gvardiol clips it lengthy up the left however Reijnders can’t discover Cherki and Foden within the pockets behind Haaland.

Rodri returns to Metropolis’s beginning XI – Reuters/Phil Noble

05:38pm

5 min: Man Metropolis 0 Chelsea 0

Jorgensen pumps the ball 70 yards having noticed Gusto’s intelligent run infield however so did Donnarumma and he bounded out of his field to go the bouncing ball to a team-mate and Metropolis flip defence into assault. Sleet falling now. Reijnders is penalised for a push and that’s the top of that.

05:36pm

3 min: Man Metropolis 0 Chelsea 0

Dias holds off Gusto and lets the ball run out for a throw-in. Nunes’ move inside from the proper, in search of Bernardo, is picked off by Enzo Fernandez. Bernardo sticks with him and blocks his cross, turning it behind for a nook from which Joao Pedro is penalised for a foul on Donnarumma.

05:34pm

1 min: Man Metropolis 0 Chelsea 0

Cole Palmer kicks off for Chelsea and knocks the ball straight again to Jorgensen who targets the proper wing. Reijnders, who’s taking part in on the left, picks it up and drives ahead however can’t retain possession.

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The Etihad Stadium simply paid an “In Memoriam” to these related to Manchester Metropolis and Chelsea who handed away in 2025. No greater cheer than for Ricky Hatton when his identify was learn out.

05:30pm

Metropolis are holding a minute’s applause

For ‘members of the Metropolis household’, stretching far and extensive who dies final 12 months, together with Ricky Hatton, Tony E book, Andy Peebles et al.

05:29pm

The groups are out

Metropolis are in sky blue and white, Chelsea of their dwelling strip of royal blue and white.

A fast reminder of the line-ups:

Man Metropolis Donnarumma; Nunes, Dias, Gvardiol, O’Reilly; Rodri, Bernardo, Reijnders; Cherki, Foden; Haaland.Substitutes Trafford, Ake, Doku, Khusanov, McAidoo, Mukasa, Lewis, Mfuni, R Heskey.

Chelsea Jorgensen; Acheampong, Chalobah, Badiashile, Gusto; James, Fernandez; Estevao, Palmer, Pedro Neto; Joao Pedro.Substitutes Garnacho, Guiu, Hato, Santos, Bynoe-Gittens, Delap, Adarabioyo, Merrick, Slonina.

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Referee Michael Oliver (Ashington).

05:24pm

Calum McFarlane speaks to Sky Sports activities

I’m feeling good, calm. We’ve had some good days coaching, good prep and the lads are in an excellent place. We’ve simply tried to get the sensation within the group proper. It’s at all times exhausting when a supervisor leaves. We’ve tried to choose them up socially and emotionally and I feel they’re prepared. It’s a must to discover the steadiness, get the sensation proper and the emotion proper so the lads are in an excellent place and I feel we’ve completed an excellent job over the previous couple of days.

05:18pm

Premier League outcomes from the sooner kick-offs

Leeds United 1 Manchester United 1

Newcastle United 2 Crystal Palace 0

Tottenham Hotspur 1 Sunderland 1

05:06pm

Weblog unique!

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Manchester Metropolis centre-back Jahmai Simpson-Pusey, 20, is present process a medical at German membership Cologne forward of a mortgage transfer to the Bundlesliga outfit. The England Underneath-20 worldwide was at Celtic for the primary half of the season however returned from his mortgage after discovering first-team alternatives tough.

04:59pm

On the Chelsea line-up

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Chelsea caretaker boss Calum McFarlane has made an enormous name dropping Alejandro Garnacho from his beginning line-up. There’s a compelled change as Robert Sanchez was injured on the eve of the match so Filip Jorgensen begins his first Premier League sport. He got here off the bench in the beginning of the season when Sanchez was despatched off in opposition to Manchester United.

04:35pm

Chelsea workforce information

McFarlane makes 5 modifications – Sanchez is injured and out go Fofana, Caicedo, Garnacho and Delap for Jorgensen, Badiashile, James, Neto and Joao Pedro.

04:32pm

Metropolis make three modifications

In come Rodrigo, Gvardiol and Reijnders.

04:29pm

Rodri begins for Metropolis

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There have been a couple of flakes of snow on the east aspect if Manchester. It’s bitterly chilly right here for Chelsea’s first match because the departure of Enzo Maresca. As one ex-Chelsea participant identified within the press room, it’s a cup ultimate for Calum McFarlane – if the caretaker boss can win right here, he might get one other sport in cost. Liam Rosenior is anticipated to get the nod.

Rodri begins for Man Metropolis. It’s his first begin since October, when he was injured in opposition to Brentford after which suffered a setback on his comeback.

04:25pm

Preview: Maestro vs novice

Good night and welcome to dwell protection of the Premier League match between Manchester Metropolis and Chelsea, the groups that began the day in third and sixth. Metropolis, unbeaten in seven although their six-match profitable steak within the Premier League was abruptly ended once they hit the wall, and the rock of Sunderland’s defence at dwelling, on New Yr’ Day, can slender Arsenal’s result in 4 factors with victory immediately and given they’ve crushed Chelsea six occasions and drawn as soon as on their final seven visits in league and cup to the Etihad, they’d be fairly assured of doing so even when Chelsea weren’t rocking up with a novice caretaker supervisor.

Calum McFarlane, who stepped up when Enzo Maresca discovered a few bootprints throughout the seat of his pants 5 days in the past, joins a prolonged checklist of Chelsea interims over the previous 15 years, following Roberto Di Matteo, Rafa Benítez, Steve Holland, Guus Hiddink in a second stint, Bruno Saltor and Frank Lampard in taking short-term management. Of these six solely Lampard misplaced his first sport in cost (once more in a second stint), taking place 2-0 to Actual Madrid after which by the identical rating in opposition to Brentford at Stamford Bridge for those who suppose judging him by defeat in opposition to the champions of Europe is simply too harsh.

The Underneath-21 head coach, who has labored at Southampton and Man Metropolis after a couple of years working at Kinetic Academy, is with out long-term absentees Levi Colwill, Roméo Lavia, Mykhailo Mudryk and Jorrel Hato whereas Moises Caicedo is suspended. Chelsea, seeking to enhance a run of 1 win, 4 attracts and two defeats in Maresca’s final seven video games, might also be missing Marc Cucurella who has a thigh pressure.

Metropolis have two gamers away on the Africa Cup of Nations, Rayan Aït-Nouri and Omar Marmoush, and three recovering from harm in Oscar Bobb, John Stones and Mateo Kovacic. Savinho and Nico González had been harm throughout the draw with Sunderland however haven’t been definitively dominated out.