Match Report and Player Ratings: Manchester City 1-1 Chelsea (Premier League)

A frustrated Manchester City dropped points in the Premier League title race through a cagey draw with Chelsea at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday evening.

A late thunderous effort from Rodri levelled the scoring after Raheem Sterling’s first-half goal, while missed chances from Erling Haaland allowed Chelsea to cling onto their lead for the majority of the game.

It was the visitors who posed the first threat of the game as a neat first-time pass from Enzo Fernandez found Conor Gallagher in the Manchester City penalty area but his low ball across the penalty area was met by sky-blue shirts and cleared away.

Erling Haaland had his first sight of goal in the 12th minute but failed to guide his header goalwards from Julian Alvarez’s floated cross.

Chelsea had another chance to take the lead and feel they should have done so after Nicolas Jackson’s effort was smothered by Ederson. Malo Gusto was played down City’s left side and played the ball across to the Senegalese forward who failed to convert due to the onrushing Brazilian in goal.

Raheem Sterling opened the scoring after a swift Chelsea counter-attack down the right again. A well-worked one-two between Jackson and Palmer allowed Mauricio Pochettino’s team to break through with Sterling waiting in the middle. He received the ball and cut back onto his right foot before placing it past Ederson for the opener.

The half-time whistle went and Pep Guardiola’s men went into the tunnel with their heads dropped after a disappointing first-half performance. The Treble Winners had failed to create any clear-cut chances and should feel lucky that they are only down by one.

Breaths were held around the Etihad Stadium as Kevin De Bruyne’s free kick from just outside the Chelsea penalty area whistled over the crossbar and rippled the top of the net for a goal kick. Just minutes later, Erling Haaland’s volley went wide after a magnificent counterattack from the Blues.

The second half was starting to look similar to the first with Chelsea having an array of chances. Again, Ederson came to the rescue with a reflex save to deny Raheem Sterling a second goal and then saved the rebound from Ben Chilwell.

City were piling on the pressure with efforts from Haaland and Rodri causing the visiting defence to scramble but neither shot found the back of the net. At the other end, City were let off after Enzo Fernandez stole the ball off Nicolas Jackson and smashed it high and wide.

City fans around the world had their heads in their hands after Erling Haaland missed a huge chance to level the scoring. A beautiful ball from De Bruyne was met by the number nine whose header sailed over the crossbar.

In the 83rd minute, City found the breakthrough after a smashing strike from Rodri. Kyle Walker’s effort was blocked and bounced out to the Spaniard who rifled the ball past Petrovic to level the game.

Late tension brewed as Pep Guardiola’s side appealed for a penalty but VAR looked at the incident and decided that Levi Colwill did not illegally handle the ball and that ultimately, the points would have to be shared at the Etihad.

Manchester City will look to rectify this below-par performance in front of goal on Tuesday evening as they host Brentford at the Etihad Stadium for a 7:30 pm kick-off, but here is how we assessed the performances on Saturday.

Player Ratings

Ederson – 6.5

Good decision-making to stop early Chelsea chances. Wouldn’t expect him to save Sterling’s effort.

Kyle Walker (C) – 5

Poor defending for Sterling’s opener and his effort led to Rodri’s goal.

Manuel Akanji – 5

Came forward to help in the attack but the high line meant that City were caught out a lot on the counter.

Ruben Dias – 5

Similar to Akanji, exposed by the high line but moved the ball well.

Nathan Ake – 5

Made good challenges early in the game but most of Chelsea’s attacks came down his side.

Rodri – 7

Always an option to pass to and scored the opener with a thunderous effort.

Phil Foden – 6

Floated around the final third looking to create but failed to make anything clear cut.

Kevin De Bruyne – 6

Made many crosses but few reached their target. Close effort from the free kick.

Jeremy Doku – 5

Wasn’t at his best today and struggled against Gusto.

Julian Alvarez – 5

Didn’t get a chance today and there wasn’t much input from him elsewhere.

Erling Haaland – 4

Failed to convert his chances and test the Chelsea goalkeeper. Wasn’t involved in the build-up play.

Substitutes

Bernardo Silva – 6

Covered every blade of grass and tried to create multiple chances but they didn’t come off.