The brand new Blues boss – presumably Rosenior – will inherit a squad of gamers who received Chelsea’s second Membership World Cup title solely six months in the past.

But they sit solely fifth within the Premier League, out of the title race after a serious dip in December underneath Maresca.

There may be lots to play for, although, and Fernandez’s stoppage-time equaliser at Manchester Metropolis was simply reward for a battling Chelsea efficiency in troublesome circumstances.

Earlier than kick-off, beginning goalkeeper Robert Sanchez withdrew after failing to shake off a muscle harm sustained within the warm-up earlier than the midweek draw with Bournemouth, whereas defender Wesley Fofana missed out by sickness.

Chelsea competed nicely till the closing phases of the primary half, when Manchester Metropolis took the lead by Tijjani Reijnders.

A collection of McFarlane substitutions made a distinction after the interval. First, Andrey Santos got here on in midfield for attacker Estevao Willian, and a reshuffle pushed eventual scorer Fernandez right into a extra superior place.

Halfway by the second half, the introductions of Jorrel Hato for Josh Acheampong in defence and Liam Delap for Joao Pedro in assault proved vital when it got here to the equaliser.

Malo Gusto moved out to the suitable and offered the cross, whereas Delap’s run occupied defenders earlier than Fernandez scored together with his third try from shut vary.