MATCH REPORT AND PLAYER RATINGS - MANCHESTER CITY 1-1 CHELSEA

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A late equaliser from Rodri was enough to rescue a point for Manchester City against Mauricio Pochettino's Chelsea, in a game in which the Blues will be disappointed they weren't able to take all three points.

This game will be remembered for the chances spurned by both sides, and most particularly by Erling Haaland, who had a rare wasteful day in front of goal against a side whom he has a relatively poor record against by his standards.

It was clear from the start after seeing City's lineup (which contained Haaland, Kevin de Bruyne, Phil Foden, Jeremy Doku and Julian Alvarez, without the likes of John Stones, Mateo Kovacic or Bernardo Silva to help slow things down next to Rodri) that it was going to be a game with many chances for both sides.

And as it was, it was like a basketball game, with both sides taking it in turns to attack each other's goal, particularly on the counter attack in Chelsea's case.

Haaland missed a header you'd expect him to score from inside the six yard box, whilst Nicolas Jackson spurned a great opportunity on the counter attack after dallying on the ball in the area, allowing Ederson to smother the ball at his feet.

It was another rapid break from Chelsea that saw them take the lead, thanks largely to two former City players linking up for Chelsea.

Cole Palmer, who surprisingly received a warm reception from the vast majority of the Etihad Stadium despite his comments criticising the way Pep Guardiola handled his development, was involved as he threaded the ball down the line to Jackson, who had evaded Ruben Dias.

The Senegalese forward squared the ball for Raheem Sterling, who chopped past Kyle Walker before slotting the ball past Ederson to score his first goal at the Etihad Stadium since departing the club after a six year stint in 2022.

From a pure footballing perspective, City improved in the second period. Other than a fine double save from Ederson to keep out Sterling and then Ben Chilwell, Chelsea hardly had a sniff at City's goal, with their attackers often getting caught offside when foraying forward.

City, meanwhile, had a whole barrage of chances they failed to capitalise on. De Bruyne narrowly missed the target with a freekick, whilst Haaland had two excellent chances to draw City level - one of which was well saved by goalkeeper Dorde Petrovic, the other of which was a header from inside the six yard box that he should've buried.

In the end, it was the provider of so many important goals, Rodri, who drew City level. After a period of ping pong in the penalty area, the ball fell to the Spaniard, who lashed the ball home from the edge of the area with his left foot.

City weren't satisfied with just a point, and continued to push forward. They looked to threaten from set pieces, with a lot of their attacking play being blocked and scrambled clear at the last possible moment by desperate Chelsea defenders.

The big talking point of added time was City having what appeared to be a pretty cut and dry handball by Levi Colwill in the penalty area dismissed by VAR, leaving City's players furious.

After the game, the City players looked devastated with their performances and the result on the pitch, as they walked around with solemn faces as the Chelsea players celebrated around them.

But that just shows the difference in standing between the two clubs at the moment.

Chelsea celebrating a point like a trophy and City celebrating a point like relegation expresses the gulf in quality and expectations between the two teams. City know that failing to finish their chances could cost them in the title race, whilst Chelsea know it will have no impact on their season and celebrate a point they didn't expect to pick up.

Technically, the league title remains in City's hands. But for that to be the case, it relies upon them beating Liverpool at Anfield, with tough fixtures away to Tottenham and Brighton and at home to Arsenal and Manchester United (who remain undefeated in all competitions in 2024) to contend with in the league.

It'll be a tough battle, but if any team can win the league from this position, it's City. Plus, the prospect of Arsenal and Liverpool dropping points needs to be taken into consideration, as whilst they both appear to be clicking into gear, neither of them are invincible.

It was always going to be tricky to control a game in which Jack Grealish was injured and the likes of Stones, Bernardo and Kovacic not fit enough to play an entire game, and so it proved.

It's easy to say this with hindsight, but it would've perhaps have been wiser to start Rico Lewis in midfield or Oscar Bobb out wide to provide just a bit more control and to take some of the uncontrolled havoc out of the game.

The feeling amongst the fanbase is negative at the moment, but that could've all changed by Tuesday evening, as City face Brentford in their game in hand. If the Blues emerge victorious from that match, the positive vibe around the club will come back as soon as it left, and a fourth consecutive Premier League title will be firmly on the cards again.

Here are the player ratings for disappointing draw against Chelsea:

Ederson - 7.5/10 - After a poor mistake midweek, Ederson was back to his very best against Chelsea. He kept City in the game at 0-0 and 1-0 down, and distributed as well as usual. For the minority who wanted him dropped after his blunder against Copenhagen, Ederson reminded all why he's up there with the best in the world in his position.

Walker - 6/10 - At fault for the goal, as he sprinted across to engage with Jackson when Manuel Akanji more or less had him covered instead of marking Sterling behind him. Other than that, he put in a decent shift, and wasn't beaten in any one vs one situations by the former City number 7.

Akanji - 6.5/10 - It's harsh to judge Akanji compared to Stones when operating in the defence/midfield hybrid role, but the Swiss international did put a good shift in. I would like to see him play in the back three in possession more, however, largely because he's better in those three positions than in midfield.

Dias - 7/10 - Aggressive and tenacious against Jackson a few times, and led the backline well. Also made an excellent clearance off the line following Chilwell's effort that was slowed down on its way to goal by Ederson.

Ake - 7/10 - Solid once again from Ake, who rarely drops below his current rating of 7/10. Dealt well with Palmer in one vs one duels, and can't be blamed for the goal in any way.

Rodri - 8/10 - Took his goal exceptionally and looked flawless on the ball. But his impact on the game was limited somewhat due to his lack of support in the middle and the fact he was being man marked by Connor Gallagher for large parts of the game. Hopefully against Brentford, he'll have a bigger impact, as he makes City play better the more he's involved.

De Bruyne - 6.5/10 - Tried to make things happen, and put in an excellent cross that Haaland should've headed home. But none of his creative attempts really worked out for him or City, and he struggled to have a huge impact on the game.

Alvarez - 6/10 - Very quiet in the centre of the park. Alvarez was often the man coming deeper to play alongside Rodri, which doesn't suit him or his skillset at all. Hopefully, he will be operated either as the centre forward or just off Haaland in the future, even if that does mean his game time sees a significant hit with De Bruyne and Haaland now both fit.

Foden - 6.5/10 - Looked dangerous when he did receive the ball, but that wasn't often enough. Whilst he thrived out wide in midweek, Foden often looked lost and isolated on the touchline, and I feel he should've been moved into the middle at least for a while after Bernardo came on to replace Alvarez to get him more involved in the game.

Haaland - 5.5/10 - Unfortunately for the 23 year old, he had probably his worst game to date in a City shirt. He looked flustered in front of goal and on a day when he was sharper and in better form would've probably bagged a hattrick and won the game for City. He did lose his grandmother last allowances must be made, but Haaland will know that he needs to improve, and I wouldn't put it past him scoring a hattrick in his very next game!

Doku - 6/10 - Had a relatively frustrating first half, as he looked good on the eye but didn't produce anything from his numerous completed dribbles. Was more potent and threatening at the start of the second half, but faded out of the game and wasn't able to positively impact the game after this point.

Substitutes:

Bernardo - 7/10 - Involved in the goal with a clipped ball to Walker at the back post. City looked more cohesive and flowed better when he came on in place of Alvarez, which highlights his importance to the team from now until the end of the season.