Citizens drop to third on the table
MANCHESTER, England, Feb 18, (AP): Manchester City barely avoided a first defeat of 2024 after Rodri’s deflected effort salvaged a 1-1 draw against Chelsea in the English Premier League.
The midfielder’s 83rd-minute goal extended the defending champions’ unbeaten run in all competitions to 15 games. But the draw SOCCER
at Etihad Stadium saw City lose ground on league leader Liverpool and second-placed Arsenal, both winners earlier.
“We played incredible in the second half. The first half was not our levels,” City manager Pep Guardiola said, “but to compete against them teams you have to play 90 minutes not just one half.”
City dropped to third on the table, four points behind Liverpool and two off Arsenal, with a game in hand on both of its title rivals.
Former City forward Raheem Sterling gave Chelsea the lead when curling home in the 42nd.
He had the chance to extend the visitors’ advantage after the break, but was denied by City goalkeeper Ederson from point-blank range.
Ederson then recovered to get to his feet and save from Ben Chilwell on the rebound.
City saw a host of chances go by as it went in search of an equalizer, with Erling Haaland missing twice from close range and Kevin De Bruyne curling a free kick just over the bar.
The defending champions eventually found the breakthrough when Rodri blasted goalwards from inside the box and his effort deflected off Trevoh Chalobah past Chelsea keeper Djordje Petrovic.
Haaland cut a frustrated figure after nine attempts on goal saw him fail to find the back of the net. It was his most shots without success in a match for City.
By contrast, Sterling came back to haunt Guardiola after leaving City for Chelsea in 2022, following seven trophy-filled years in Manchester.
His curled finished looked for a long time like being enough to secure all three points for Mauricio Pochettino’s team. Even though City rallied to draw, Sterling still delivered a blow to his former club’s hopes of winning the title.
“At the end we can be pleased, but at the same time we’re a little bit disappointed. We had chances to finish the game off,” Sterling said. “We knew they’re a team who use the ball really well and that there would be times when we need to use our brains. We’re disappointed not to come away with a bit more.”
The draw continued a positive run for Chelsea and will ease the pressure on Pochettino ahead of next week’s League Cup final against Liverpool in a disappointing league campaign.
“I’m so pleased. I told the players I feel so proud,” Pochettino said. “In the last three games we’ve started to create a very good spirit. That’s the way we want to build our team. Today was a very good opportunity to show we’re going where we want.”
Bukayo Saka scored twice as Arsenal kept the pressure on English Premier League leader Liverpool by routing Burnley 5-0.
Last week, Arsenal blew away West Ham 6-0. The Gunners have won their last six games in the league and scored five or more goals in three of them.
Saka scored on either side of halftime and Arsenal remained within two points of Liverpool.
Martin Odegaard put Arsenal ahead in the fourth minute and Saka doubled their lead from the penalty spot in the 41st.
Saka scored again two minutes after halftime and goals from Leandro Trossard in the 66th and Kai Havertz in the 78th completed the rout.
Second-from-bottom Burnley was above only Sheffield United on goal difference, having played a game more.
Sheffield United could move off the foot of the table on Sunday if it avoids defeat against Brighton.
Burnley has won one of its last 12 games in all competitions.
Two goals from Joao Gomes secured Wolves a surprise 2-1 win at Tottenham.
Defeat at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium saw Spurs drop to fifth on the table in a blow to their hopes of Champions League qualification.
Aston Villa moved above Spurs after winning at Fulham. Tottenham was two points behind Villa as the race for the top four tightens.
Gomes scored in each half as Wolves completed a league double over Ange Postecoglou’s team. The Midlands club won by the same scoreline at Molineux in November.
Gomes headed Wolves ahead in the 42nd minute and Dejan Kulusevski levelled for Tottenham in the 46th.
Wolves’ winner came after a wonderful solo run from Pedro Neto, who raced half the length of the field before setting up Gomes to side-foot home in the 63rd.