The Argentinean forced the ball over the line from close range after Malo Gusto’s teasing low cross had reached him at the far post. In terms of chances created, it was a deserved leveller for the Blues, today led by Under-21s head coach Calum McFarlane.

Tijjani Reijnders had put our hosts ahead shortly before the break at the culmination of a sustained spell of City pressure we could not survive. It had otherwise been a solid first-half display from the Blues, with Estevao Willian not far away from giving us the lead.

Early in the second half, Pedro Neto fired a very good chance over the bar, while sub Liam Delap had a shot well saved. At the other end, we defended with diligence and doggedness to stop City taking the game away from us, and that meant there was just one goal in it heading into stoppage time, when Fernandez squeezed the ball in at the second attempt.

Team news

There were five changes to the Chelsea team, in goal, defence, midfield and attack.

With Robert Sanchez suffering from a small muscle issue, Filip Jorgensen started between the posts, while Benoit Badiashile replaced Wesley Fofana in the heart of defence. Marc Cucurella remains out so Gusto continued at left-back, at least in the first half.

Reece James came into central midfield in place of the suspended Moises Caicedo, while Neto and Joao Pedro freshened up the attack.

It was a fresh evening in the North-West as the Blues of Manchester and London brought the weekend’s Premier League action to a close. There was plenty of endeavour in the opening exchanges, even if moments of quality were in short supply when the ball reached the final third.

Chances start coming

That changed in the 20th minute when both attacks burst into life. Neto led a break for us down the left and saw his cross deflected into the path of Estevao, lurking near the penalty spot. The Brazilian’s shot looked dangerous but was blocked by Josko Gvardiol before it could test Gianluigi Donnarumma.

City immediately launched a counter-attack down their left, with the ball worked across the pitch to Phil Foden. He shot just wide after cutting inside. Both sides had a let-off.

Besides that chance, we had navigated the opening half-hour without major cause for alarm, and had occasionally looked a threat on the break. However, City began to dominate territory and possession, creating a succession of opportunities that culminated in the opener.

Bernardo Silva shot over and then, on 37 minutes, Jorgensen made his first save of the evening, athletically diving to his left to tip Haaland’s deflected shot around the post.

Deadlock broken

A minute later, Haaland struck the inside of the other post after we had again lost possession cheaply in our defensive third. So when City took the lead shortly before the break, you couldn’t say we hadn’t been warned. A pass in Haaland’s direction was intercepted only as far as Reijnders, who created half a yard on his left and lashed an unstoppable strike into the roof of the net.

Ahead of the second half restarting, Andrey Santos replaced his compatriot Estevao. Fernandez moved further forward while the full-backs Gusto and Acheampong switched sides.

Chelsea started brightly. Joao Pedro prodded Neto away and though the move came to nothing, we fashioned a superb chance with our next attack. It was led by Palmer, who moved it on to Fernandez. He skilfully got the ball out of his feet before teeing up Neto. After shooting over Donnarumma’s bar and not under it, our no.7 was left with his hands on his head.

Quality recovery tackles from Acheampong and then Badiashile denied Haaland a clear sight of goal just as the league’s top scorer was lumbering up to shoot.

Delap makes a difference

On the hour, Jorrel Hato and Delap came on for Acheampong and Joao Pedro. Delap was immediately in the thick of things against his former club, holding the ball up effectively and getting us on the front foot. With 20 minutes left, he spun City sub Abdukodir Khusanov and, from a tight angle, forced Donnarumma into a decent stop.

City remained a threat but lacked a clinical edge when they did work the ball into our box. Resolute Chelsea defending was also a factor in that.

That meant the game went down to the wire. As the clock ticked towards stoppage time, Hato got free down the left but an unmarked Palmer couldn’t connect with his low centre.

It was from the opposite flank that we conjured up an equaliser four minutes into stoppage time. Gusto did brilliantly to burst away from his man close to the touchline and deliver a cross into the corridor between defence and keeper. It evaded Delap but not Fernandez, and while Donnarumma brilliantly denied him at the first attempt, he smuggled the ball over the line via the inside of the post, sparking pandemonium in the away end - where our no.8 soon found himself in!

VAR had a look but thankfully Fernandez was just onside so the goal stood, and Chelsea could return home with a creditable point.

What it means…

The Blues finish matchday 20 of the Premier League in fifth position, three points off Liverpool in fourth.

What’s next…

Another Premier League away game, this time much closer to home at Fulham on Wednesday evening. Kick-off at the Cottage is at 7.30pm.

Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Jorgensen; Acheampong (Hato 62), Chalobah, Badiashile, Gusto; Fernandez, James (c); Estevao (Andrey Santos h/t), Palmer, Neto; Joao Pedro (Delap 62)
Unused subs Merrick, Slonina, Tosin, Garnacho, Gittens, Guiu
Scorer Enzo Fernandez 90+4
Booked James 52, Delap 79, Fernandez 90+5

Man City (4-3-2-1): Donnarumma; Nunes, Dias (Ake 81), Gvardiol (Khusanov 51), O’Reilly; Rodri, Bernardo Silva (c), Reijnders (Doku 70); Foden, Cherki; Haaland
Unused subs Trafford, McAidoo, Mukasa, Lewis, Mfuni, Heskey
Scorer Reijnders 42
Booked Dias 54, Nunes 79, Bernardo Silva 90+3

Referee Michael Oliver