But : Reijnders (42e) pour Manchester City // Fernandez (90e+4) for Chelsea
Nine defeats, two draws, 21 goals conceded (compared to 6 scored), none clean sheeta silent attack on eight occasions… These are the main statistics of Chelsea’s last eleven games against Manchester City, in all competitions, who have therefore been undefeated against the Londoners for almost five years (and on May 29, 2021, the date of a certain Champions League final). Therefore, how could we expect anything other than poor performance from the Blues this Sunday in the lair of Pep Guardiola’s team? Especially knowing the current context, with a change of coach on one side and a series of good results on the other. Logically and without any surprise, Gianluigi Donnarumma and his friends should therefore have dominated their opponents to come back to within four points of first place occupied by Arsenal (who also won at Bournemouth). What they did, right up until added time… and the equalizer of their rival of the day, which ultimately deprived them of a precious success.
Haaland dangerous
With Rayan Cherki and Bernardo Silva starting, in particular, City displays a face as attractive as it is offensive on paper. On the other hand, there are far fewer certainties: if the men on the pitch have not changed, the one on the bench is no longer called Enzo Maresca. It is therefore under the orders of Calum McFarlane that the Londoners start this complicated trip to Manchester, and this is not a gift for the former assistant. Estêvão, however, had the first opportunity, blocked by Joško Gvardiol, but Phil Foden quickly responded with an attempt off target. Enough to start the match? Not really, boredom starting to set in while half-time had not yet arrived… So, the locals decided to accelerate: Silva made the visitors’ defense dance, without success, like Erling Haaland who tested the solidity of Filip Jorgensen and that of his post. On the contrary, however, Tijani Reijnders who opened the scoring with a missile sent into the top corner shortly before the intermission.
Delp only small cold
The second act resumes with a change (Estêvão for Andrey Santos) and an injury, that of Gvardiol (replaced by Abdukodir Khusanov). Nothing, however, which changes the appearance of the confrontation: in control and with possession of the ball largely in its favor, Manchester is content to manage its lead without playing defensive while Chelsea struggles to be dangerous. As proof, his first shot on target is still awaited! Liam Delap takes care of it, but sees Donnarumma block his attempt. What’s next? Jérémy Doku enters and breaks a few kidneys, Khusanov is sent into the background by a frustrated Delap… and the success of the favorite, although short, gradually materializes. That should have been it for the “shock” of the twentieth day of the Premier League this Sunday evening, if and only if Manchester had paid attention until the end. Because on the gong, Fernandez finally offers a point to his team (which barely maintains its place in the top 5)! That makes nine defeats and three draws in the last twelve matches now.
Manchester City (4-2-3-1) : Donnarumma – Nunes, Dias (Aké, 80e), Gvardiol (Khusanov, 51e), O’Reilly – Rodri, Bernardo – Reijnders (Doku, 70e), Foden, Cherki – Haaland. Coach : Guardiola.
Marcus Cole is a senior football analyst at Archysport with over a decade of experience covering the NFL, college football, and international football leagues. A former NCAA Division I player turned journalist, Marcus brings an insider's understanding of the game to every breakdown. His work focuses on tactical analysis, draft evaluations, and in-depth game previews. When he's not breaking down film, Marcus covers the intersection of football culture and the communities it shapes across America.
