Man City drop points in chase of Arsenal, Liverpool and Man Utd also draw

LONDON, Jan 4 : Chelsea handed London rivals ‌Arsenal a welcome boost in the Premier League title race as Enzo Fernandez struck a stoppage-time equaliser that prevented Manchester City closing the gap at the top to four points on Sunday.

City led through a Tijjani Reijnders goal in the first half and it looked like being enough for them to cut into Arsenal's lead at the summit, but Fernandez pounced to give Chelsea a worthy 1-1 draw, three days after the club sacked coach Enzo Maresca.

Fernandez's goal at a freezing Etihad Stadium means Arsenal end a packed festive programme with a six-point lead. They have 48 points from 20 games with City and Aston Villa on 42.

On a day of draws, Liverpool stretched their unbeaten Premier League run to eight games but were left to rue conceding yet another late goal as they drew 2-2 at Fulham.

Cody Gakpo thought he had won it for Liverpool in the fourth minute of stoppage time but Harrison Reed's 30-metre rocket ‌in the 97th minute earned Fulham a deserved share of the spoils.

The result left the reigning champions fourth with 34 points, three ahead of ‌fifth-placed Chelsea and Manchester United who were grateful for a Matheus Cunha equaliser to secure a 1-1 draw at Leeds United.

Pep Guardiola's City had ramped up the pressure on Arsenal with a six-game winning run and were within touching distance heading into Christmas, but they have failed to take the momentum into the new year with back-to-back draws away against Sunderland and now at home to Chelsea.

"It's frustrating of course but at the end it is what it is," City midfielder Rodri, whose return to action after injury is some comfort for Pep Guardiola, said.

"We created enough chances to win the game three or four nil, but this is