Rodri's late equaliser denied the Blues all three points at the Etihad Stadium, but their performance suggested they can compete with the very best
There have been encouraging signs for Chelsea in recent weeks, and Mauricio Pochettino saw plenty to like from his team as they battled to earn a 1-1 draw on the road at Manchester City that suggested they can compete with the Premier League's very best sides.
The Blues stood up well in the first half, and Nicolas Jackson really should have opened the scoring when he ran clean through on goal, only for Ederson to save at the Senegal striker's feet. Raheem Sterling, however, made no mistake when presented with a similar chance after Jackson played him in to put Chelsea up at the break.
Sterling was denied by Ederson shortly after half-time as Chelsea pushed for a second, but they were soon forced into defensive mode as wave after wave of City attacks pushed them back. Erling Haaland went close on more than one occasion, but the visitors largely held firm until Rodri fired home an equaliser with eight minutes left.
Pep Guardiola's side looked to force a winner, but Chelsea's defence stepped up to keep them out and maintain their decent run of results on the road.
GOAL rates Chelsea's players from the Etihad Stadium…
Getty ImagesGoalkeeper & Defence
Djordje Petrovic (7/10):
Looked shaky under the high ball and from set-pieces at times, but barely put a foot wrong otherwise. Tried to be smart with his distribution and made a fine save to deny Haaland in the second half.
Malo Gusto (6/10):
Given the tough task of marking Doku but put up a good fight against the pacey Belgian. Showed flashes of his ability going forward but was forced back more and more as the game wore on.
Axel Disasi (9/10):
A magnet to the ball inside the Chelsea box. Made countless superb headers and blocks to keep City at bay, and rightly celebrated them as if they were goals.
Levi Colwill (8/10):
Strong performance from the England international, especially when Haaland drifted onto his side. Superb block denied the Norwegian from close range midway through the second half.
Ben Chilwell (7/10):
Very good defensively as he coped against Foden and De Bruyne. Some poor passes out from the back when Chelsea had the chance to counter were the only black marks against him.
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Moises Caicedo (5/10):
Struggled to keep the ball in midfield and was perhaps fortunate to avoid being sent off given the number of fouls he gave away, with a decent number in dangerous areas too.
Enzo Fernandez (8/10):
Quietly outstanding at the heart of the Blues midfield. Worked tirelessly to win the ball back and was always brave in possession as he looked to carry his team up the field.
Conor Gallagher (9/10):
Given the task of man-marking Rodri and was superb throughout in breaking up play and stopping the Spaniard dictating the tempo. It was telling that the City equaliser came seconds after Gallagher had been pushed further forward.
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Cole Palmer (7/10):
Couldn't dictate as he has tended to in recent weeks, but showed some nice touches out on the right. Played his part in Sterling's goal, and got back well to help Gusto in defending Doku.
Nicolas Jackson (6/10):
Lacks the quality that Pochettino would want from his No.9, and really should have opened the scoring himself before providing the pass for Sterling to net. Ran himself into the ground.
Raheem Sterling (7/10):
Started the game with some poor touches in dangerous areas, but eventually found his footing to open the scoring. Pressed well from the front before being replaced just after the hour mark.
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Christopher Nkunku (4/10):
Really didn't offer much after replacing Sterling. Ran offside too often and struggled to keep the ball.
Trevoh Chalobah (5/10):
Brought on for his first appearance of the season and was the unlucky man whom Rodri's strike deflected in off.
Cesare Casadei (N/A):
On for Jackson for the final 10 minutes.
Mauricio Pochettino (8/10):
Not for the first time, got his tactics against Guardiola spot on as he put Gallagher on Rodri and played three quick forwards to hit City on the counter. Perhaps moved to a back-five too early and lost his attacking outlets, but this was another encouraging performance on the road.