In pursuit of a seventh consecutive victory, Enzo Maresca’s men were pushed to their absolute limits against the reigning champions, and were minutes away from picking up all three points.
The hosts took an early lead through Thierno Ballo’s flicked header just after the ten-minute mark, but Liam Delap levelled things up five minutes later.
The forward made it four goals in the space of a week with his 20th Premier League 2 strike of the season, heading home from Tommy Doyle’s cross to haul us level.
CITY+ | Watch full-match replays of every city game
While both sides enjoyed a flurry of chances throughout the rest of the first half, our Young Blues found the advantage early in the second 45.
Cole Palmer and Doyle combined down the right before our skipper launched a vicious low ball into the Chelsea box, which defender Levi Colwill inadvertently deflected into his own net.
City continued to play entertaining, attacking football despite an onslaught from the hosts, with Cieran Slicker in particular making a fine save to deny Tino Anjorin with 30 minutes to play.
But eventually their pressure told with the game in its dying embers, Colwill making amends for his own goal by firing home in the 89th minute after coming forward for a Chelsea corner.
While Enzo Maresca’s men will be disappointed not to have taken home all three points, they extended our unbeaten run to 13 matches in Premier League 2, and sit five points clear at the top after a battling draw.
