Enzo Fernandez delivered a late sucker-punch to Manchester City, rescuing a point for Chelsea in the 4th minute of injury time as the spoils were shared at the Etihad.
It was a game of two halves. The first was completely dominated by City as Chelsea struggled to get out of their half, defending valiantly until Tijjani Reijnders struck a wonderful effort in at the near post to give the hosts the lead.
But Chelsea did not let their heads drop and grew into the game as the second half progressed. It took until the 4th minute of added time, but Enzo Fernandez found the magic moment for Chelsea, bundling the ball over the line and jumping into the away end to celebrate.
Story of the match:
Chelsea made five changes to the side that drew with Bournemouth at Stamford Bridge last time out. Most of these were not by choice, however, as Moises Caicedo was forced to sit this one out due to suspension. Meanwhile, the likes of Wesley Fofana, Robert Sanchez and Marc Cucurella missed out due to respective issues.
Whilst Chelsea were without their star midfielder, Manchester City's was fit enough to move back into the starting eleven as Pep Guardiola selected Rodri from the start. The Spaniard had played 45 minutes against Sunderland but was now deemed fit to play from the start.
As expected, it was a cautious start from Chelsea, who certainly looked like a team without a manager who were looking to find their feet. Playing against one of the world's best would certainly not have helped their nerves in this one.
Guardiola's men wasted no time in gaining control of proceedings, enjoying much more of the ball but struggling to create any real, clear-cut chances in the opening stages of this one.
Chelsea were frustrating their opponents and in the 20th minute had a great opportunity to take the lead. Pedro Neto beat Matheus Nunes down the left and played the ball across to an onrushing Estêvão, whose effort forced a good block from Gvardiol.
The chances began to flow for the hosts after this point; Foden took a wonderful touch and pulled the trigger just a minute later. The Englishman's effort drifted just wide of the post, much to the relief of a scrambling Filip Jörgensen.
Erling Haaland was beginning to grow into the game as a goal for the Norwegian looked on the horizon. He forced a strong save out of Jörgensen after his effort took a hefty deflection off the leg of Trevoh Chalobah.
But he came even closer just a minute later as he cut inside, creating enough space between himself and Badiashile to unleash an effort that rattled against the inside of the post and back out to safety.
It felt like Chelsea were hanging on, but half-time would not come soon enough for the Blues as Tijjani Reijnders fired the Citizens in front. It was an audacious strike from the Dutchman whose venomous effort flew past Jörgensen at the near post, leaving the Dane helpless to the situation.
City deservedly entered the break in front after controlling for large periods of the first half. However, there was the feeling that Chelsea would not be this passive for much longer and would have to release the shackles at some point.
This is exactly what the Blues did in the second half, as McFarlane's men began to move forward much more frequently and were beginning to look like a genuine threat at times.
Manchester City, for the most part, still looked comfortable, but nerves were growing around the Etihad with every missed opportunity as Chelsea began to grow more and more confident as time progressed.
The introduction of Liam Delap certainly helped Chelsea in the attacking phase as the Englishman looked like a man on a mission, effective in getting the Blues up the pitch.
Whilst the hosts were still seeing a fair amount of the ball, it was a much better second-half display from Chelsea, who were really taking the game to their opponents, showing little fear in their hunt for an equaliser.
Chelsea were edging closer and closer, but time was against them as the game moved towards injury time, of which there were six minutes.
When it looked like it just was not going to be Chelsea's day at the office, Enzo Fernandez popped up at the back post to bundle the ball past Gianluigi Donnarumma and salvage a point for his side right at the bitter end.
It was no more than the Blues deserved after a much-improved second-half display in which they put City under pressure. Certainly not a bad result for McFarlane to add to his CV in his first game of senior management.
For City, ultimately, it is points dropped, as they will likely look back to chances missed in the first half that could have altered the outcome of the match.
Reece James put in another strong account of himself in the centre of the pitch today, producing a solid defensive display that frustrated City for large portions of proceedings. He played a big part in getting a foothold in the match in the second half, which eventually resulted in an equaliser for Chelsea.
In what has been a tough week for the Blues, a leader like James was required for Chelsea today, and as he so often does, he turned up for the Blues.