Cole Palmer netted a stoppage-time penalty to earn Chelsea a point after playing out to a 4-4 draw against Manchester City in a thrilling game played at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
Fortunes went both ways in a very good game played in dangerous conditions.
In the 94th minute, Rodri’s shot from the edge of the area was blocked by Thiago Silva and went past Robert Sanchez, the Chelsea custodian. This gave City the lead.
Chelsea didn’t give up, and Palmer, who City bought for £40 million from Pep Guardiola’s team, kept his cool to beat Ederson from the penalty spot. City are now only one point ahead of Liverpool at the top of the Premier League table.
When Chelsea complained that Erling Haaland had been fouled first, the reigning champions were given a penalty for Marc Cucurella’s pull on him in the 25th minute, giving the champions an early lead.
The penalty was easily saved by Haaland, but on the 44th minute, the home team tied the game when Brazil centre back Silva headed in Conor Gallagher’s corner.
After 37 minutes, Raheem Sterling scored against his old team by turning in Reece James’ cross after Josko Gvardiol made a mistake. This turned the game around for Chelsea.
But City tied it right before halftime when Manuel Akanji, who wasn’t being watched, headed in a cross from Bernardo Silva.
After the break, City took the lead again when Haaland ran in Julian Alvarez’s cross at the far post.
However, Chelsea fought back again and earned a point when Nicolas Jackson scored in the 67th minute after Ederson saved Gallagher’s low drive.
And Guardiola’s team thought they had won when Rodri’s lucky shot went in. But the late penalty drama ended a fun and exciting game.
Ruben Dias was sent off for a foul on Armando Broja, a substitute for Chelsea, and Palmer’s calm finish tied the game.
Chelsea and manager Mauricio Pochettino have had the best week of the season. It has been the busiest week of the season for them.
Monday’s 4-1 win at Tottenham was overshadowed by the avalanche of Video Assistant Referee (VAR) calls that reduced Tottenham’s players to nine before Jackson’s hat-trick sealed the win.
Here, the Londoners played City, who won the Premier League, and it was a beautiful, free-flowing eight-goal classic. No one could begrudge them a point after Rodri’s deflected shot looked like it would hand Pochettino’s team a cruel loss.
Their Argentine manager will be upset that they gave up four goals at home, even against a team as dangerous and good as City. However, Chelsea came back from being behind three times, showing their skill and huge character.
This game showed how much better the team is getting under Pochettino, and they should feel very good about their performance and outcome.
Sterling was great as a scorer and creator, even though manager Gareth Southgate left him out of the England squad again just a few days before. His constant running and skill with the ball made things hard for City the whole game.
With that late penalty, Palmer showed once more what he has brought to Chelsea since moving there from City.
The 21-year-old has definitely been a bright spot for Chelsea, even though they haven’t had the best start to the season.
Based on this, Pochettino is leading the team in the right direction, even though there have been some problems along the way.
