Interim manager Calum McFarlane praised his Chelsea players after they secured a stoppage-time equaliser against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium. Enzo Fernandez scored in added time to earn a 1-1 draw, denting City's Premier League title ambitions.
City had taken the lead through Tijjani Reijnders, looking to cut the gap to leaders Arsenal to four points. But Chelsea, still reeling from the sudden departure of manager Enzo Maresca on New Year's Day, showed resilience to claim an unexpected point.
McFarlane, the Under-21 coach thrust into the spotlight, said: 'There's a lot of change that's gone on. Enzo was incredibly successful with this group and some of them were shocked by the decision. Everyone thought we were coming here to lose. No-one thought we stood a chance. But we knew the character and the talent in this group.'
The draw leaves City six points behind Arsenal, with injuries to Josko Gvardiol and Ruben Dias adding to their woes. Manager Pep Guardiola acknowledged the defensive crisis, with John Stones also sidelined, but did not rule out a January signing.
