Chelsea and Manchester City played out a thriller in a dramatic 4-4 encounter at Stamford Bridge on Sunday when a Cole Palmer’s stoppage time penalty proved to be enough to earn Chelsea draw.
Man City opened the scoring in controversial fashion when Anthony Taylor awarded a penalty when judged Marc Cucurella to have fouled Erling Haaland in the box. The Norwegian forward did not need a second invitation to capitalise.
Cole Palmer and Raheem Sterling both scored against their former team - including an injury-time leveller from the former - to continue the Blues' impressive record against the league's top clubs this season.
It wasn't long before the Blues were level, however, as Thiago Silva ran free at the near post to level the scores. The noise at Stamford Bridge rose a level and soon Reece James was supplying an assist for Raheem Sterling to hand the home side the lead.
The pace of attack from each side did not let up and Pep Guardiola's side found their way back ahead with a goal either side of half time however with Manuel Akanji first heading in before Haaland added a second goal to his tally.
The drama wasn't over as Nicolas Jackson pounced on a rebound to level the scores again however before Rodri’s deflected strike looked to break Blues hearts. The introduction of Armando Broja saw the forward win a stoppage time penalty which Cole Palmer dutifully dispatched however.
Robert Sanchez Produced a fantastic save to deny Erling Haaland in the 41st minute and did his job well throughout the game.
Reece James, Chelsea’s captain provided the assist for Raheem Sterling’s goal having forced a save from a dipping free kick in the opening half.
Axel Disasi once again proved a decisive presence in the backline and was solid against a good attacking side.
Thiago Silva, from the moment Chelsea went behind, the Brazilian looked determined to change things and his near post header levelled the scores. Unfortunately misjudged the flight of the ball when it came across for Akanji to score, and even more brutally saw Rodri’s shot deflect off him into the Chelsea net.
Marc Cucurella probably unfairly judged to have given away the penalty on Erling Haaland as the striker initiated shirt pulling, and generally defended well in a difficult test against Phil Foden.
A busy performance that saw the midfielder Moises Caicedo tire as the game went on. Not his best outing but typically competitive in the centre of the field.
Enzo Fernandez started the game strongly and took a lot of responsibility for initiating Chelsea’s attacks and defended on the front foot but slowed as the game went on and was replaced in the second half.
Conor Gallagher a relentless pressing presence for Chelsea stood up to the task against City.
Cole Palmer almost produced a moment of magic to net a super solo goal in the second period but it was a quieter afternoon than Chelsea have come to expect. Delivered when it mattered against his former team with a late penalty. 7.
Raheem Sterling, the former Man City winger is turning into ‘Mr Consistent’ for the Blues and once again provided plenty of threat and looked to pounce on any errant touch from the opposition.
Nicolas Jackson, the Senegal forward showed some nice flicks but struggled when given any time on the ball. His job is to score goals and he delivered to slot the ball into the net after Ederson saved a Gallagher strike.
