EPL: Rodri rescues point for City against Chelsea as Awoniyi leads Forest to victory

February 17, 2024 9:18 pm

Manchester City scored a late equalizer to earn a 1-1 draw with Chelsea in their English Premier League (EPL) encounter at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday.

Rodri cancelled Raheem Sterling’s first half strike as the reigning EPL champions ensured an unbeaten home record is not tarnished by the determined visitors.

A fast start saw chances for both sides, with Erling Haaland heading wide from Julio Alvarez’s cross while Nicholas Jackson effort was saved by Ederson Moraes.

The Blues eventually scored on 42 minutes when Sterling cut inside Kyle Walker before curling into the far corner for a 1-0 lead to Chelsea at the break.

Both sides traded chances early in the second half; Sterling denied by Ederson while Rodri narrowly missed.

Haaland also spurned two big chances; his deflected shot stopped before heading wide.

The hosts’ relentless pressure however paid off on 83 minutes, as Rodri’s deflected long range strike drew the champions level.

Pep Guardiola’s side pushed for the win but had to settle for a point, as Chelsea also remain winless at the Etihad since 2021.

Man City stay third with 51 points from 24 matches, two behind second-placed Arsenal who have played a game more.
Chelsea remain in 10th place with 35 points from 25 matches.

In earlier matches, Taiwo Awoniyi scored his sixth EPL goal in 14 matches as Nottingham Forest defeated West Ham United 2-0.

Similarly, Mohamed Salah scored and assisted as Liverpool retained top spot with a 4-1 win at Brentford, while Arsenal put five past Burnley to stay in the title hunt.

Tottenham were however beaten 2-1 at home by Wolves.

RESULTS