"It would have been easy for Pep Guardiola and Manchester City to think that this was a good time to face Chelsea. The London club had crashed in December, their Premier League form awful and the rising tensions between Enzo Maresca and the board would explode on New Year's Eve. There have not been many managerial changes on the very first day of a year and this one left Calum McFarlane, the club's under-21 coach, thrust in as the interim manager."
"McFarlane might not get another if Chelsea can, as they hope, appoint a permanent successor to Maresca before Wednesday night's derby at Fulham. Liam Rosenior of Strasbourg is their No 1 target. But McFarlane can look back with pride and maybe a touch of amazement on his moment in the spotlight as Chelsea held their own with City before stunning them with a stoppage-time Enzo Fernandez equaliser."
Manchester City faced Chelsea amid Chelsea's poor December form and internal tensions that culminated in Enzo Maresca's departure on New Year's Eve. Calum McFarlane, the under-21 coach, assumed interim charge despite no prior senior-game experience. Chelsea targeted Liam Rosenior as a possible permanent successor. McFarlane made decisive substitutions, including bringing on ex-City striker Liam Delap, and Chelsea grew into the match late on. Cole Palmer missed a late chance before Malo Gusto's cross led to Enzo Fernandez forcing a save from Gianluigi Donnarumma and scoring the stoppage-time equaliser, celebrating with away fans.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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