Who would’ve thought Chelsea could play such a big role in this season’s Premier League title race?

The Blues have been well off the pace all season but continued their emerging form with a disciplined, passionate performance which led them to a 1-1 draw with Manchester City, who find themselves third in the standings behind Arsenal and leaders Liverpool.

It could have been so different for City if the ever-reliable Erling Haaland buried an early header, but the Norway international somehow sent his effort well wide.

Chelsea then missed a great chance of their own as Nicolas Jackson found himself on the end of a counter, but he could not find a way to get his strike beyond Ederson.

Raheem Sterling missed his own chance on the counter but, on the stroke of half-time, atoned for his error with a lovely strike.

Cutting inside Kyle Walker, Sterling bent a smart effort beyond the otherwise impressive Ederson to fire Chelsea ahead.

Sterling could have doubled Chelsea’s lead early in the second half but some excellent goalkeeping from Ederson spoiled the former City winger’s fun.

Ederson kept Sterling out from point-blank range before jumping back to his feet and getting enough on Ben Chilwell’s follow-up to let City clear their lines.

With the clock ticking on, it looked like it wasn’t going to be City’s day as Haaland missed yet another excellent headed chance – perhaps even better than the earlier one – following a delicious cross from Kevin De Bruyne.

But, as seems to be the case when City need him most, Rodri popped up with a powerful strike which deflected its way into the back of Djordje Petrovic’s net to earn the defending champions a point.

The result leaves City third in the Premier League. Arsenal are two points ahead having played one game more, but leaders Liverpool now boast a four-point lead – the Reds have also played one extra match – and are firmly in control of their fate.