Manchester City Vs Chelsea [1–1] – Premier League 2025/2026: How Chelsea Held Firm After Enzo Maresca Exit – Tactical Analysis

Manchester City welcomed Chelsea in Gameweek 20 of the 2025/2026 Premier League season.

The affair ended in a 1-1 draw as Tijjani Reijnders’ 42nd-minute strike was equalised by Enzo Fernández at 90’+4.

This was Chelsea’s first outing after head coach Enzo Maresca’s dismissal, which rendered it a crucial fixture to bolster team morale.

With City dominant in terms of possession statistics, they were expected to take control of the game and get the result after dropping points against Sunderland.

With another two points dropped, their gap to the top spot keeps on increasing as Arsenal went six points clear after beating Bournemouth.

Through this tactical analysis, we focus on the positives in Man City’s play and how Chelsea managed to hold them to a draw.

Manchester City Vs Chelsea Lineups & Formations

Let us look at how Pep Guardiola and Calum McFarlane fielded their squads.

The hosts, Manchester City, played in a 4-1-4-1 formation.

Gianluigi Donnarumma started in goal, behind a back four of Matheus Nunes (right-back), Rúben Dias (right centre-back), Joško Gvardiol (left centre-back), and Nico O’Reilly (left-back).