damaging

Chelsea’s stoppage-time equaliser in opposition to Manchester Metropolis on a freezing Sunday night at Etihad Stadium felt a monumental second within the Premier League title race.

With time ticking away, Pep Guardiola’s facet have been edging in direction of a ninth consecutive top-flight dwelling victory as they aimed to take care of the stress on leaders Arsenal.

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However Metropolis wilted late on by conceding to Enzo Fernandez’s 94th-minute leveller, bundling in on the far publish to depart the travelling followers delirious and the house trustworthy shocked on the ultimate whistle.

Chelsea supporters celebrated an unlikely level wildly, throughout a tumultuous week by which , whereas Metropolis gamers’ shoulders slumped, understanding they’d dropped 4 essential factors in as many days.

It means Arsenal have been handed a serious enhance by shifting six factors away from each Metropolis and Aston Villa having made a press release of intent by thumping Unai Emery’s facet through the week and edging previous Bournemouth on Saturday.

“I haven’t got a crystal ball to take a look at what’s going to occur sooner or later,” stated Guardiola when requested in regards to the title race. “The one factor I feel [about] is recovering the gamers for Brighton on Wednesday. After all we have been nearer.

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“We performed an unimaginable second half at Sunderland and right this moment we did not get luck however we scored a aim. Being scientific is a part of all of the stats. You possibly can create possibilities, our anticipated targets is increased than everybody, however it’s important to do it. Because the supervisor I stated to the workforce, we performed actually good in opposition to this workforce.”

‘Not a fantastic festive interval for Metropolis’

The temper contained in the Etihad at full-time felt like considered one of deflation somewhat than the anticipated elation, as Metropolis did not win successive video games for less than the second time this season.

Guardiola’s facet are unbeaten of their previous 10 video games in all competitions, however the attracts of their previous two might be important come the top of the season.

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Arsenal are aiming for a primary top-flight triumph in additional than 20 years, whereas Metropolis need to reclaim the crown having did not win silverware final season – the leads to the primary week of 2026 really feel vital when contemplating the place the title might find yourself.

Regardless of going forward Metropolis couldn’t maintain on in opposition to a cussed Chelsea facet led by interim supervisor Calum McFarlane, who was taking cost of his first senior sport and denied Guardiola all three factors.

“It is a good end result for Chelsea, with no supervisor,” former Metropolis goalkeeper Shay Given instructed BBC Sport. “And it’s a good end result and week for Arsenal, who at the moment are six factors clear.

“Metropolis dropping 4 factors within the final two video games is large right now of the season. We all the time say Christmas and new 12 months, with such a busy schedule, is so vital and it is not been a fantastic festive interval for Manchester Metropolis.”

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Erling Haaland has had a prolific marketing campaign scoring 38 targets for membership and nation this season, however he has now did not web in his previous three video games, which has proved pivotal.

The Norwegian was shackled for lengthy intervals by the Chelsea backline and struck the publish within the first half, whereas within the second he had little pleasure as the house facet seemed to double their lead.

However they have been unable to be scientific sufficient within the ultimate third and Fernandez’s late equaliser not solely snatched a draw for Chelsea however ruined a clear sheet for Metropolis and handed the initiative to Arsenal.

“Manchester Metropolis might be kicking themselves,” ex-Metropolis defender Micah Richards stated on Sky Sports activities. “They know they need to’ve had three factors right this moment with the probabilities they created.

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“They’re usually extra ruthless. You’re looking at it considering, ‘what has modified?’ Haaland’s not scored in a couple of video games, Phil Foden had close to misses, Rayan Cherki wanting very tough however not the ultimate product. They’ve solely obtained themselves responsible right this moment.”

Former Manchester United defender Gary Neville added on Sky Sports activities: “Pep Guardiola might scent it. The Metropolis followers might scent it. I do not suppose Chelsea might although. Metropolis wanted to make it 2-0.

“It was an enormous aim for Chelsea – and an enormous aim for Arsenal.”

‘We’ve got loads’ of accidents, says Guardiola

Metropolis had final season ruined by a succession of accidents and they’re stacking up as soon as extra, with Guardiola saying they now “have loads” of gamers unavailable.

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Although midfielder Rodri offered a lift by making his first begin in three months, defender John Stones has not performed since 2 December and winger Oscar Bobb limped off in opposition to Brentford on the seventeenth, whereas midfielder Mateo Kovacic is out long-term.

Nico Gonzalez and Savinho missed the Chelsea sport after struggling points within the draw on the Stadium of Gentle this week – and the issues worsened on Sunday.

Guardiola could also be with out his first-choice centre-back pairing of Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol, telling BBC Radio 5 Stay “it does not look good” and the pair might be sidelined “for a couple of weeks”.

The Spaniard added: “John Stones is lacking for I do not know what number of months, now Ruben and Josko might be out.

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“Nathan [Ake] can’t play often as we all know. It occurred final season and we’ll discover a answer. The spirit might be there.”

Metropolis are closing in on the £65m signing of winger Antoine Semenyo from Bournemouth, and when requested if the membership might be dipping into the switch marketplace for additional additions, Guardiola replied: “I do not suppose so – however we’ll see what occurs.”

Metropolis host Brighton on Wednesday (19:30 GMT) in a vital sport as they appear to claw again floor on Arsenal and keep away from falling additional off the tempo.