Chelsea: Liam Rosenior is in London for talks about the Blues coach’s job

The Blues’ new manager – Rosenior most likely – will inherit a squad of players who won Chelsea’s second Club World Cup title just six months ago.

However, the team is only fifth in the Premier League, having fallen out of the title race following a dramatic decline in December under Maresca.

There is a lot to play for, and Fernandes’ stoppage-time equalizer against Manchester City was just reward for Chelsea’s combative performance in difficult conditions.

Before kick-off, goalkeeper Robert Sanchez withdrew after failing to shake off a muscle injury sustained during the warm-up ahead of the midweek draw with Bournemouth, while defender Wesley Fofana was absent due to illness.

Chelsea competed well until the final minutes of the first half, when Manchester City took the lead through Tijani Reynders.

A series of Macfarlane substitutions made the difference after the first half. First, Andre Santos came into midfield in place of striker Estevao Willian, and the reshuffle moved eventual top scorer Fernandes into a more advanced position.

In the middle of the second half, the inclusion of Jurel Hato in place of Josh Acheampong in defence, and Liam Delap in place of Joao Pedro in attack, proved his importance when it came to the equaliser.

Malo Justo moved to the right side and passed the cross, while Delap set off to occupy the defenders before Fernandes scored with his third attempt from close range.

After the match, the Chelsea squad celebrated together, including injured or suspended players such as Sanchez, Levi Colwell, Mark Cucurella and Moises Caicedo, who had all traveled to Manchester.

MacFarlane said: “All the injured or suspended players, they are all here. Levy [Colwill] here. They support the players in the locker room, and they are around it. You don’t get that everywhere.

“They care so much about this group, the players and their teammates. We’ve had everything against us, but this group has shown that when their back is against the wall, they have the talent and character to succeed. I’m really, really proud of the whole group.”

Chelsea is three points behind Liverpool, who is in fourth place, but is only four points ahead of Crystal Palace, who is in fourteenth place.

They next face Fulham – one of Rosenior’s former clubs from his playing days – in the Premier League on Wednesday, and then Charlton awaits in the FA Cup third round on Saturday.

The team will then play in the Carabao Cup semi-final at home to Arsenal the following Wednesday.