RODRI TO THE RESCUE
Midfielder’s late strike helps Man City draw with Chelsea
“We countered them well so I think it is a fair result in the end,” Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher told Sky. “The lads were brilliant and defensively we were very focused. We were very tired but we saw it through and we are happy with the performance.”
After numerous near-misses that had the City fans holding their heads in frustration, Rodri equalised in the 83rd minute after Walker’s shot was blocked with a thunderous shot that deflected off Trevoh Chalobah into the net.
Victory would have given City the chance to go top of the table when they host Brentford on Tuesday but the draw with Chelsea means they can climb no higher than second.
“Good game. First half we didn’t perform too good, second half really good,” Guardiola said. “We had chances and in the second half we were better.”
City tested Chelsea’s back line with 31 shots to the visitors’ nine, but only five were on target.
Prolific striker Erling Haaland, who leads the league with 16 goals, was frustrated by nine shots with no goals for the first time in his City career, including an unmarked late close-range header the Norwegian sent over the bar before covering his face in disbelief.
Chelsea had their chances including Jackson’s one-on-one with Ederson and the City keeper saved a point-black shot by Sterling early in the second half.
“I’m so pleased,” Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino said. “I told the players I feel so proud. In the last three games we’ve started to create a very good spirit.
“We only conceded one chance – against a team like Manchester City who, for me, are the best team in the world.”
City have not lost at the Etihad since a defeat by Brentford in November, 2022.