In the first game since Enzo Maresca's departure, Chelsea managed to earn a 1-1 draw thanks to Enzo Fernandez's injury-time equaliser.
"I’m really proud of the players and how they performed, especially in the second half," said McFarlane.
"Young players in those moments may crumble, but they were exceptional second half. We deserved a point minimum. We could have won the game. We had some big chances and big moments in the second half.
"We didn’t expect them to shape up the way they did in the first half, so they had a lot of control.
"We were getting pinned back with Estevao and Pedro (Neto) having to defend in a back five at times, which meant they had so much control and rhythm. That’s not how we wanted the game to look.
"We made a change at half-time to go more man for man against the ball, and to be able to get more pressure to disrupt their rhythm and hopefully force them to go a little bit longer.
"Andrey Santos was exceptional. He really controlled the middle of the pitch."
McFarlane added, "One-nil down at the Etihad, players falling ill on the day of the game, all the change, for them to regroup and take that information on and execute it speaks volumes about the characters we have at this club."