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606 Football phone in BBC Radio 5 Live This video can not be played Man City 1-1 Chelsea - Reijnders with opener Fernandes levels in stoppage time for visitors Listen live on BBC Radio 5 Live and this page Chelsea playing first match since departure of Enzo Maresca Get Involved: Comment on this page or via Whats App on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply) Emma Smith FT: Man City 1-1 Chelsea Chelsea Calum Mc Farlane speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live: "For me personally it was amazing, stuff you dream about. Pep Guardiola, Premier League game, amazing. "I'm really proud of the performance, even if that goal didn't come, I thought the character the lads showed, especially in the second half. .. I would've been so happy regardless. It's even better we got the equaliser I thought we deserved. On if he always believed they'd get equaliser: "The whole focus over the last two days was winning this game. Obviously we haven't done that, but putting in that performance, we're all very proud. We always believed we could come here and win. " On facing Guardiola: "He's one of the best managers that has ever done it, that seemed to be the narrative of the game and I don't think it should have been. It should be about the players, and how well they performed. It shouldn't be about me, it should be about the quality performance those lads put on with everything that has gone on. " FT: Man City 1-1 Chelsea Micah Richards Former Man City defender on Sky Sports I think he's going to stay on regardless of who the manager is going to be. It's a great day for him, by all regards he's a really good coach. I said at half-time he's going to sit in and catch City on the counter-attack, but he didn't do that, he was brave. And to come to the Etihad and get a draw says a lot about what a coach he is. The players have to buy in to what the manager wants to do and they did that today, and got their well deserved point. FT: Man City 1-1 Chelsea Daniel Sturridge Former Chelsea striker on Sky Sports The change the manager made, Calum Mc Farlane, at half-time bringing on Andrey Santos or Estevao, it brought stability in midfield and gave them a bit more strength in there. And then you bring Delap on, Hato as well. The changes and the times of the changes were fantastic from him. You saw they had a lot of life out there. They were pressing. We want to see the glory for this guy. Potentially he won't be the manager, but a night like tonight for him is a brilliant night. Credit to him for all he's done for the club today. FT: Man City 1-1 Chelsea Chelsea Chelsea defender Trevoh Chalobah speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "First half was very difficult. We didn't stop fighting and came out with a different mentality for the second half. The boys just dig in which was what we needed today. " On change in shape at half time: "We felt that we couldn't get tight to them in the first half. So we changed the shape and it worked well. "Malo [Gusto] showed his quality going down the right [for the goal]. We were working on getting more players in the box when we were in those wide areas and we got the goal. "You know the week we had, but the boys were focussed. We didn't drop our heads and kept going. We knew what the game plan was today. We knew what we wanted and we did well to get the point. " FT: Man City 1-1 Chelsea Chelsea Chelsea captain Reece James speaking to Sky Sports: "We had to accept what we were on earlier on in the week and put it behind us. We came here with a gameplan. In the first half, we made a slight error for their goal. But we grew into the game in the second half and we knew a chance would come and [Enzo Fernandez] took the chance when it came. On interim head coach Calum Mc Farlane and coaching staff: "Credit to the staff that stepped up. They haven't been in this role before. To come to Manchester City away as your first first team game is difficult. "We had to adapt fast. We came out in the second half with a slightly different plan and as the game went on, we grew more into it. " On the role of senior players: "We have to stand together as a unit. We are one. We missed many players today, but so many other players stepped up. We fought as a team and I am proud of the boys. " On Enzo Maresca leaving: "Of course, it's difficult but we have to fight for each other. We dug in and got the point. " On the next manager: "We know nothing at the moment. This whole week was about this game. What happens behind the scenes is not down to us. We came here. We focussed on the game. We took a point from a very difficult place to come. We have to recover. We will see what happens in the coming days. " FT: Man City 1-1 Chelsea Chelsea The equaliser was Enzo Fernandez's sixth league goal of the season, equalling his best ever tally in a single Premier League campaign. FT: Man City 1-1 Chelsea Chelsea Chelsea goalscorer Enzo Fernandez speaking to Sky Sports on Enzo Maresca's exit: "Difficult moment for us but it's part of football. Happy for the team. "Of course, I am sorry for him but it is part of football land life. We keep going. " Click 'Get Involved' at the top of this page to have your say Nice to see a unity within the players, and hopefully a good sign moving forward. A very good second half performance after a very insipid first half. Goal and a point the least Chelsea deserved. Alan, Belfast This is why so many love Chelsea. No manager and no form but god can we upset the rule book. Nick, Kent FT: Man City 1-1 Chelsea Manchester City Rodri had the most touches of any Manchester City player, and pulled all the strings in midfield. But City could not convert enough of the chances he helped create, and have been severely punished. FT: Man City 1-1 Chelsea Micah Richards Former Man City defender on Sky Sports Man City will be kicking themselves. They know they should've had three points today with the chances they created. But fair play to Chelsea, come back in the game, manager made changes at half-time and then introduced players a bit further up. They had a little go and got the well deserved goal. But from a City point of view, they're normally more ruthless. You're looking at yourself thinking, what's changed? Haaland's not scored in a few games, Foden near misses, Cherki looking very tricky but not the final product. They've only got themselves to blame today. Click 'Get Involved' at the top of this page to have your say Six points is not massive considering the number of games left. But potential injuries to Gvardiol and Dias (plus Stones already) mean City will drop more points. Arsenal will feel safer. Erl FT: Man City 1-1 Chelsea Gary Neville Former Manchester United defender on Sky Sports They've not killed that game in the second half and you knew that Chelsea have got bright players, they've got potential up top. They've been around the block this lot, including Rodri and Bernardo Silva, and the danger in the end got on top of them. They'll be gutted. Click 'Get Involved' at the top of this page to have your say Now surely Arsenal can't bottle it this time. .. Jase, Bath FT: Man City 1-1 Chelsea Back to back draws to open 2026 for Man City, following their stalemate at Sunderland. Much for Pep Guardiola to ponder. Man City 1-1 Chelsea Izzy Christiansen Former England midfielder on BBC Radio 5 Live Two very frustrating games to open the year for Man City. They were completely dominant, but Chelsea kept chipping away. Man City will be so frustrated. Click 'Get Involved' at the top of this page to have your say City have lost the knack to finish teams off from being 1-0 up. this was our problem last year and its still there Pau FT: Man City 1-1 Chelsea Chelsea When the Chelsea players went over to the away fans, interim manager Calum Mc Farlane was hanging out at the back. Captain Reece James put his arm around Mc Farlane and told him to go to the front to take the acclaim of the supporters. A nice moment of team unity, the like of which we have not seen much of from the Blues in recent days. FT: Man City 1-1 Chelsea Chelsea Chelsea are winless in four and have only one victory in eight league games, leaving them three points off the top four. But this definitely feels like a point gained and a big morale boost. FT: Man City 1-1 Chelsea Manchester City are now six points behind Premier League leaders Arsenal. If they do not win the title this season, this result may well be looked at as one of the key moments. Man City 1-1 Chelsea Bernardo Silva skews a cross onto the roof of the net, and that is that. This video can not be played City held at home as Chelsea snatch stoppage‑time equaliser At a glance Enzo Fernandez pokes in late leveller for managerless Chelsea Tijjani Reijnders had opened scoring for hosts on stroke of half-time Interim boss Calum Mc Farlane claims draw, having taken charge of Chelsea following Enzo Maresca's departure PLAYER RATER Enzo Fernandez scored a stoppage-time equaliser as Chelsea ended a tumultuous week by claiming a deserved Premier League point at title-chasing Manchester City. Calum Mc Farlane, usually Chelsea's under-21s coach, has taken charge of the first team on an interim basis following the departure of Enzo Maresca on Thursday. His side frustrated City for large periods, even after going behind, before Argentine Fernandez poked in at the third attempt to rescue a draw. The win looked to be heading to City following Tijjani Reijnders' first-half strike, but consecutive draws mean they have now fallen six points behind league leaders Arsenal. Chelsea set up with a low block and it took until the 37th minute for the first shot on target when Erling Haaland's deflected shot looked to be looping over Filip Jorgensen, but the Chelsea goalkeeper recovered superbly to tip the ball wide. A minute later the Norwegian striker cut inside and thumped an effort which rattled the post as City sensed a goal was coming their way. It duly arrived just before half-time, as Reijnders picked up a loose ball on the edge of the penalty area and skipped past Benoit Badiashile before hammering a finish inside the near left post. Chelsea started brightly in the second half and Pedro Neto should have equalised but scooped over from eight yards out, while substitute Liam Delap, formerly of City, smacked an effort into the chest of Gianluigi Donnarumma, before Fernandez's late leveller thrilled the travelling fans. 'I don't have a crystal ball' - damaging few days for Man City? Have your say on Man City’s performance What did you make of Chelsea’s display? This video can not be played 'Maybe you know better than me! ' - Guardiola Manchester City have been chasing Arsenal's tail all season and surprisingly dropped two points in a goalless draw at Sunderland on Thursday. Now they have slipped up again, this time unable to hold on for victory. Pep Guardiola's players had won eight consecutive league games at Etihad Stadium and were closing in on a ninth, but Fernandez struck at the far post to deflate the home players and supporters alike. City were made to pay following missed opportunities in the first half by the usually dependable Haaland. The Norwegian has been prolific this season but has hit a barren run by his standards, failing to score in his latest three games. He remains on 149 goals in all competitions for the club. The hosts were boosted at kick-off by midfielder Rodri making his first start in three months. Guardiola has openly stated how much the the 2024 Ballon d'Or winner contributes to his side and the extent to which they missed him in last season's trophyless campaign. The 29-year-old provides a calming presence – on Sunday he gained possession 10 times and won nine of his 11 duels on the defensive side of the game, as well as creating four chances in the final third. Dutchman Reijnders was given license to roam forward and scored to make it three goals in four games, but the hosts were left to rue squandered chances to stretch their lead. City had found it difficult to make serious inroads until the opener, with Phil Foden scuffing wide and captain Bernardo Silva curling off target after showing quick feet inside the box. Once ahead, though, they looked poised to see it out. As well as conceding late on, City will also be concerned by a second-half injury suffered by defender Josko Gvardiol, who appeared to twist his leg in a challenge and had to be helped off the pitch while limping heavily. Chelsea supporters celebrated an unlikely point and Arsenal fans will be doing the same in the capital, the Gunners now holding a healthy advantage at the summit. This video can not be played Chelsea have a special group of players - Mc Farlane Maresca, the head coach who was appointed 18 months ago, parted company with Chelsea on New Year's Day. They then lost defender Wesley Fofana to a virus, while first-choice goalkeeper Robert Sanchez was deemed not ready to play after injury. Caretaker boss Mc Farlane had never led a senior men's match, and this first opportunity came against Guardiola, widely regarded as the best manager in the world, having overseen 1, 011 games before this one and won a stack of trophies. There would have been concern about whether Chelsea would be competitive at Etihad Stadium given such a disparity in experience between the men calling the shots from pitchside. Chelsea quickly put those concerns to bed, pressing City high, causing havoc at set-pieces and remaining solid. That was until they conceded during a poor spell at the end of the first half. Nevertheless, supported by the unavailable Sanchez, Marc Cucurella, Levi Colwill and Moises Caicedo - who travelled to show solidarity - Chelsea presented as a united, competitive group capable of taking on City. Of course, they were also found lacking at times, particularly with mistakes from Badiashile that led to the goal, and they were creatively short in the first half. Then substitute Delap gave them a lift when he came on after the interval, pushing his team up the pitch, including one moment he created for himself in arguably his best league display since joining Chelsea. Yet it was Fernandez who popped up with the equaliser - converting a low cross from the right for his seventh goal of the season, making him the joint-leading scorer for the Blues this season. It was a worthy moment after an impressive effort from the squad and goes to show there is life left in Chelsea's season despite a chaotic episode that saw Maresca seemingly fall out with the hierarchy and ultimately leave. Maresca's successor may turn out to be Strasbourg manager Liam Rosenior. The new boss will inherit a team who sit fifth in the Premier League, just three points behind fourth-placed Liverpool, with opportunities to lead this group in the FA Cup third round, Carabao Cup semi-final and the Champions League. Manchester City: Pep Guardiola's side host Brighton in the Premier League on Wednesday (kick-off 19: 30 GMT). Chelsea: Liam Rosenior may well be in charge for the Blues' short trip to Fulham - one of his former clubs as a player - on Wednesday (19: 30 GMT). After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the score displayed represents the average from all the submissions by BBC Sport users. Comments can not be loaded To load Comments you need to enable Java Script in your browser Last Updated 4th January 2026 at 19: 30 Please Note: All times UK. Tables are subject to change. The BBC is not responsible for any changes that may be made. Manager: Pep Guardiola Formation: 4 - 1 - 4 - 1 Manager: Calum Mc Farlane Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1 Manager: Pep Guardiola Formation: 4 - 1 - 4 - 1 Manager: Calum Mc Farlane Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1 To watch and listen, you need to enable Java Script in your browser. 606 Football phone in. BBC Radio 5 Live. Audio606 Football phone in BBC Radio 5 Live Premier League All competitions All competitions All competitions Man City are unbeaten in their last eight Premier League games against Chelsea (W6 D2), their joint-longest run without defeat against the Blues in their league history (also 8 between 1936 and 1949). Having won four consecutive away league games against Man City between 2005 and 2008, Chelsea have now won just three of their last 16 visits to the Etihad (D2 L11). Manchester City have only failed to score in one of their last 22 Premier League games against Chelsea, losing 2-0 at Stamford Bridge in December 2018. Chelsea have won their first league game in just one of the last nine calendar years (D6 L2), beating Fulham 1-0 in 2024. Manchester City have won their last eight Premier League home games, netting 3+ goals in seven of those including the last five in a row. They last scored 3+ goals in more consecutive home league games between April and October 2022 (10). Chelsea have won just one of their last seven Premier League games (D4 L2), having won five of their previous six (L1). Chelsea have dropped 15 points from winning positions in the Premier League this season, as many as in the whole of 2024-25 while they last dropped more in 2022-23 (18). However, 13 of these 15 points dropped have come at Stamford Bridge. This will be Pep Guardiola’s 31st meeting with Chelsea as a manager (W15 D7 L8), only facing Arsenal more often (33). As Man City boss this will be his 26th against the Blues (W15 D3 L7), his joint-most against an opponent (also 26 vs Manchester United). Erling Haaland has scored 11 goals in eight Premier League home games for Man City this season, netting twice in five different games. The last player to score 2+ goals in more different home games in a season was Haaland himself in 2022-23 (6). Each of Cole Palmer’s last nine Premier League goals for Chelsea have been scored in London. He’s not scored outside of the capital since December 2024 (vs Southampton), while he’s not scored north of London since August 2024 (vs Wolves). Copyright © 2026 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.