The post-Enzo Maresca era at Chelsea started as many fans would have feared when they were defeated by Manchester City at the Etihad.
The Blues were dominated for large parts of the game, although it was interim manager Calum McFarlane making the difference with his substitutions at the break.
Tijjani Reijnders first half strike gave City the lead, with Chelsea going into the game without Wesley Fofana and Robert Sanchez due to illness and injury respectively.
Which of these players would you drop for Chelsea vs Fulham?
Or would you drop anyone else? Let us know!
👇 Join the debate; share your insight. Use the comment button on the bottom left to have your say
However, Enzo Fernandez was on hand to touch home at the back post in added time to give the Blues a massive point.
It is expected that Liam Rosenior is going to become the new manager of Chelsea, and today’s game proved there is quality for him to work with.
The Chelsea Chronicle have given out player ratings from the Blues’ draw with City.
Manchester City v Chelsea - Premier League
Photo by Chelsea Football Club/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Chelsea player ratings vs Man City
Filip Jorgensen – 6/10
Made a good save early on to deny Erling Haaland, but was unable to deal with the power of City’s opening goal.
Josh Acheampong – 6/10
A few individual errors in what was a very difficult evening for Josh Acheampong, who was forced to play a number of positions at the back.
Trevoh Chalobah – 6/10
Defended solidly in most part, however looked as if he was missing the athleticism of Fofana alongside him at the back.
Benoit Badiashile – 5/10
Will be disappointed with the part he played in Reijnders’ opening goal, with his interception falling to his feet late in the first half.
Malo Gusto – 5/10
Looked uncomfortable defending when starting at left-back, however stuck to the task of dealing with Bernardo Silva and Rayan Cherki well.
Reece James – 8/10
Looked seriously up for the midfield battle, leading by example in tough circumstances.
Chelsea are in for a fight over the next few months, but Reece James has shown that he is the right man to lead them into battle.
Manchester City v Chelsea - Premier League
Photo by Neal Simpson/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images
Enzo Fernandez – 8/10
Was on hand to touch home at the back post to give the Blues a massive goal, which it feels like the entire club needed.
Alongside James, Enzo Fernandez put in a solid performance to help do his share of the extra work without Moises Caicedo available.
Estevao Willian – 4/10
Not Estevao Willian’s finest outing by any means. Was given very little chance to impact the game before he came off at the break.
Cole Palmer – 6/10
Was forced to do far more defensive work than he would have liked in the first half, however was part of the attacking force which showed more promise in the second half.
Pedro Neto – 4/10
Simply had to put the Blues level in the second half with a guilt-edge chance from Fernandez’s cutback, capping off a poor afternoon for Pedro Neto.
Joao Pedro – 5/10
Battled hard but looked as if he was losing the physicality battle with the City centre-backs. Chelsea may have been better with handing Liam Delap a start.
Liam Delap has made a real impact off the bench!
Manchester City v Chelsea - Premier League
Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images
Would you start Delap against Fulham on Wednesday?
👇 Join the debate; share your insight. Use the comment button on the bottom left to have your say
Andrey Santos – 7/10
Chelsea improved instantly upon the arrival of Andrey Santos to the fray at half-time, adding far more licence for Fernandez to impact things in the final third.
Liam Delap – 7/10
Finally brought a focal point to Chelsea’s attack, impressing in particular with his ability to make the ball stick to him.
This has to be the start for Liam Delap to make things work for the rest of this season.
Jorrel Hato – 6/10
Was given a rough introduction from a terrible pass by Jorgensen, but ended up making a huge interception to deny Silva a tap -in.
Join Our Newsletter
Receive a digest of our best Chelsea content each week direct to your mailbox