Chelsea and Manchester city played out a spectacular 4-4 draw at Stamford Bridge filled with twists and stories, in what could go down as the game of the season in the Premier League’s 2023/24 campaign.
Haaland opened the scoring for the defending champions in the 25th minute following a penalty won by the Norwegian at the back post. The lethal goal scorer was fouled at the back post by Marc Cucurella, who was all over the 6ft4in striker as they jostled for the ball delivered by Bernando Silva. Following a VAR check, Cucurella was booked for his actions too.
spectacular 4-4 draw at Stamford Bridge filled with twists and stories, in what could go down as the game of the season in the Premier League’s 2023/24 campaign.
Haaland opened the scoring for the defending champions in the 25th minute following a penalty won by the Norwegian at the back post. The lethal goal scorer was fouled at the back post by Marc Cucurella, who was all over the 6ft4in striker as they jostled for the ball delivered by Bernando Silva. Following a VAR check, Cucurella was booked for his actions too.
Haaland duly sent Robert Sanchez the wrong way to give City the lead at Stamford Bridge. However, it wouldn’t last long as Chelsea instantly hit back in a frustrating fashion for Ederson following a fine save from a Reece James freekick.
The resulting corner from Conor Gallagher was flung into the box towards the near post and the big Brazilian centerback, Thiago Silva, broke City’s zonal marking to bring the London club back on level terms for his first goal of the season in the 29th minute
Chelsea would then manage to steal the lead from Pep Guardiola’s side, as their ex-players came back to haunt them. Cole Palmer played a nice ball to split the City defence to allow James to get in behind. The fullback then squared the ball for none other than Raheem Sterling to tap home in the 37th minute, in a style of goal he was synonymous for during his time at the Etihad Stadium.
Chances then ebbed and flowed for both sides and the next goal would likely prove huge in the outcome of the game as if Chelsea scored they’d take control of the game, but it would be the away side who would strike back.
The Citizens won a corner which was taken short, allowing Silva to place a teasing ball into the box for Manuel Akanji known for his smart use of his head in mathematics, to redirect the ball home with his cranium after being left unmarked on the stroke of halftime.
City ruthless after the break
After the second half started, City wasted no time taking charge of the affairs. Once again, Haaland proved to be their key man in the 47th minute after Cucurella left Phil Foden with too much space on the right wing.
The Mancunian winger teed up Julian Alvarez to cross to the back-stick for the big Norwegian to score his 15th goal of the season in 12 games as he continues to argue his case as the best forward in the world.
City then had two chances to extend their lead through Rodri and Jeremy Doku, but didn’t manage to convert either chance and duly paid the price for their lack of clinical nature; an oxymoronic thing to say in a game they scored three times in.
Nicolas Jackson, fresh off his hat-trick against Tottenham in midweek, was on hand to turn home a fiercely struck Gallagher shot after Ederson spilled the ball. The Senegalese forward showed great composure to take a touch, pick his spot and deliver Chelsea the equaliser in the 67th minute.
Late drama
Pep Guardiola’s relentless men thought they had the last laugh through Rodri in the 86th minute. A quick trio of passes between Foden, Matteo Kovacic and Haaland saw the ball ping around before it bounced off a Chelsea player right into the path of the defensive midfielder who struck the ball first time, wrong-footing Sanchez to take a 4-3 lead.
But there was time for one more twist, and it was a player who has been in the news lately for his relationship with Guardiola. Cole Palmer left City for more gametime despite the Spanish coach assuring him he would get more of it at the Etihad with the departure of Riyad Mahrez.
After Armando Broja, who had only been on the field for moments, was brought down in the 92nd minute, by a desperate, naïve challenge from Ruben Dias, Palmer stepped up to sink a dagger into the hearts of his ex-club with a whipped penalty into the left of the goal, around the middle height of the net.
City go back to top
Manchester City retain the lead of the Premier League with 28 points heading into the international break by one point from Liverpool. The defending champions have won nine games, drawn for the first time this season and have been beaten twice.
Meanwhile, Chelsea drop to 10th below West Ham United after the latter beat Nottingham Forest 3-2 earlier on Sunday. They’ve now won four, drawn four and lost four times this season as Mauricio Pochettino attempts to get the ball flowing at Stamford Bridge.
