{"id":19306,"date":"2026-01-05T01:24:49","date_gmt":"2026-01-05T01:24:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/eplvip.com\/index.php\/2026\/01\/05\/arsenal-earn-title-boost-as-chelsea-dominate-man-city-with-late-goal-5-talking-points\/"},"modified":"2026-01-05T01:24:49","modified_gmt":"2026-01-05T01:24:49","slug":"arsenal-earn-title-boost-as-chelsea-dominate-man-city-with-late-goal-5-talking-points","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/eplvip.com\/index.php\/2026\/01\/05\/arsenal-earn-title-boost-as-chelsea-dominate-man-city-with-late-goal-5-talking-points\/","title":{"rendered":"Arsenal earn title boost as Chelsea dominate Man City with late goal – 5 talking points"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n<\/p>\n
\n
Manchester City 1-1 Chelsea: Enzo Fernandes scored a 94th-minute equalizer to seal a dramatic draw with Manchester City and cancel out Tijani Lijnders’ opener.<\/h2>\n
<\/p>\n
\n
January 4, 2026, 19:38<\/span>Updated January 4, 2026, 19:43<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n
<\/span><\/div>\n
\n
\n<\/figure>\n<\/div><\/span>Enzo Fernandez stabbed to death at home<\/span>(Image: Sean Botterill\/Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n
Chelsea handed Arsenal a huge boost in the Premier League title race by snatching a 1-1 draw against a futile Manchester City side. Chelsea scored in the 94th minute with Enzo Fernandes, while City took the lead with a goal from Tijani Lijnders.<\/p>\n
The contest was set to be another master-versus-pupil match between Guardiola and former assistant Enzo Maresca. That was until Chelsea sacked the Italian on New Year’s Day following poor results and a souring relationship behind the scenes.<\/p>\n
Chelsea caretaker manager Callum Macfarlane made five changes to the starting XI that started 2-2 at home against Bournemouth, Maresca’s final game as manager. For one, Moises Caicedo received a one-match suspension, and Filip Jorgensen scored in place of the absent Roberto Sanchez.<\/p>\n
City’s Rodri made his first Premier League start in three months after impressing as a half-time substitute in Thursday’s 0-0 draw with Sunderland. Nico O’Reilly was forced off at the Stadium of Light, but was fit enough to play.<\/p>\n
Here are five talking points from Etihad Airways.<\/p>\n
read more: Liam Rosenier flies to London, one step closer to becoming Chelsea manager<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
opinion<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\n
Andy Dunn<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
1. Chelsea’s new manager – for now<\/h3>\n
MacFarlane had barely taken his seat at the Etihad when news broke that Liam Rosenior had crossed the Channel to sign a contract with Chelsea. Rosernior, the manager of Chelsea’s sister club Strasbourg, was emerged as a favorite to win the title shortly after Enzo Maresca was sacked as manager on Thursday.<\/p>\n
Despite this, Macfarlane has been appointed caretaker manager and could remain in charge for Wednesday’s trip to London to face Fulham. The Blues Under-21 head coach probably had to pinch himself as he shook Guardiola’s hand before kick-off, but he got right to work as soon as the whistle blew.<\/p>\n
\n
\n
\n<\/figure>\n<\/div><\/span>Callum MacFarlane takes on Pep Guardiola<\/span>(Image: Karl Lesseen\/Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
2. Reinders returns to the forest<\/h3>\n
After registering a goal and an assist on his Premier League debut, Reinders became a consistent goal threat for City and looked set to become a must-have for any fantasy football team. However, from mid-August to early December, the midfielder was able to score only one more goal.<\/p>\n
Reinders has now started the last three Premier League games, scoring against West Ham and Nottingham Forest. This time, City finally broke the deadlock after dominating the first half as the Dutch international made a fine shimmy with his left foot inside the box, giving him space to fire a powerful shot past Jorgensen.<\/p>\n
\n
\n
\n<\/figure>\n<\/div><\/span>Tijani Reynders gives Manchester City a deserved lead<\/span>(Image: Sean Botterill\/Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
3. City suffer from injury to Gvardiol<\/h3>\n
Unlike the Ruben Amorims around town, Guardiola doesn’t like to change centre-backs during a match. However, the City manager was forced to substitute Josko Gvardiol after the Croatian suffered an injury early in the second half.<\/p>\n
As Chelsea broke through with a rare advance, Gvardiol tried to strip Maro Gusto, but the challenge failed and he ended up hurting himself. Although the visitors were unable to gain any attacking advantage against 10 men, the move left lasting damage for City as Gvardiol’s night came to an early end and Abdukkodir Kusanov was brought on.<\/p>\n
\n
\n
\n<\/figure>\n<\/div><\/span>Josko Gvardiol out with injury<\/span>(Image: Katherine Ivill – AMA\/Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
4. Rodri effect<\/h3>\n
Returned to the starting lineup like he never left. Rodri returned to City’s starting eleven and gave solid performances, anchoring the midfield and allowing creative players to flourish.<\/p>\n
Rodri would have had an easier job if his teammates hadn’t been so sloppy in front of goal. A one-goal advantage always gives Chelsea hope of a draw. The Spaniard has created more chances (4) than any other player on the pitch and won more duels (7) than any other player, statistics that testify to his immense influence.<\/p>\n
Can Manchester City win the Premier League title? Let us know your predictions in the comments section.<\/p>\n
\n
\n
\n<\/figure>\n<\/div><\/span>Rodri has been outstanding since his return.<\/span>(Image: Sean Botterill\/Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
5. Fernandes attacks with intent to die<\/h3>\n
As long as the score was 1-0, there was hope for Chelsea. City were uncharacteristically sloppy up front and erratic at the back, and they became even more vulnerable after Guardiola substituted Ruben Dias, who had received a yellow card.<\/p>\n
Four minutes into stoppage time, Gust got past O’Reilly and delivered a low cross, but Nathan Ake was unable to clear it. Fernandes ducked at the back post and his first shot was saved by Gianluigi Donnarumma, but he headed home.<\/p>\n
Join our new WhatsApp community and receive Mirror Football content every day. Community members also receive special offers, promotions, and advertisements from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check it out whenever you like. If you are interested, please read our privacy notice.<\/p>\n
\n
\n
Sky Sports Premier League and EFL package discounts<\/p>\n
\n
This article contains affiliate links and we receive a commission from any sales we generate from them. learn more<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\n
<\/div>\n
\n
\u00a343<\/p>\n
\u00a335<\/p>\n
sky<\/p>\n
Get the deal here<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\n
Sky has reduced the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle ahead of the 2025\/26 season, saving members \u00a3192 on their bill and offering more than 1,400 live matches from the Premier League, EFL and more.<\/p>\n
Sky will broadcast at least 215 live Premier League matches next season, with an increase of up to 100 more.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
![\"MANCHESTER,](\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36496311.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200f\/0_GettyImages-2254642127.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>![\"\"\/](\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36492311.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s650\/1_Untitled-1.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Author](\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article2205697.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s338a\/andy_dunn.png\")
![\"MANCHESTER,](\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36496105.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_GettyImages-2254627922.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>![\"MANCHESTER,](\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36496173.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_GettyImages-2254633151.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>![\"MANCHESTER,](\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36496227.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_GettyImages-2254638025.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>![\"MANCHESTER,](\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36496250.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_GettyImages-2254629819.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>![\"content](\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article33374947.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s510b\/0_Sky-Factbox.jpg\")
<\/div>\n