Late Chelsea Equalizer Sparks Frustration for City in Premier League Thriller

City and Chelsea settle for a 1-1 draw after a late equalizer

Manchester City midfielder Tijani Rijnders admitted he left the Etihad Stadium disappointed following a 1-1 draw with Chelsea in the 20th round of the Premier League.

Rijnders, who scored City’s goal, said the home side could have decided the match earlier and felt they were in control for long periods.

"We started the game very well, especially in the first half," he told BBC Sport. "In the second half the game opened up, and while we created some big chances, we conceded a late equaliser which is frustrating."

He added that Chelsea improved after the break: "Yes, they played better in the second half, but we still created opportunities. In the pressure they found the free man several times, but we should have killed the game earlier."

Turning to his own form, Rijnders said: "I feel good too. I waited a long time to start scoring. Now I have this feeling, and I hope to keep it going."

Regarding the top-of-the-table gap, he insisted: "We must keep working. We still have confidence that we can turn things around. The next match will be very important again."

Punchline time: City played hide-and-seek with a win and forgot the endgame—Chelsea’s late strike brought the curtain down.
Punchline 2: If football were a movie, tonight’s plot twist would be titled The Late-Goal That Never Was—starring Chelsea and a very puzzled City defense.