Chelsea, Manchester City draw in an 8 goal thriller

Stamford Bridge, 

Sunday, 12 November, 2023. 

McCreadie Andias 

A stoppage-time penalty from ex-Manchester City player Cole Palmer secured a well-deserved point for Chelsea against League leaders Manchester city in an enthralling 4-4 draw at Stamford Bridge on Sunday evening. 

Chelsea who were least favourites to earn a point from the defending champions came into the match with fresh jubilation from their empathic 4-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur last weekend. 

The Blues showed plenty of intent against the Citizens launching plenty of surprising attacks while sealing their back line to prevent threatening attacks from Manchester city. 

Marc Cucurella grabbed Erling Haaland in the box preventing him from capitalizing on a Bernardo Silva cross an incident that took a lengthy VAR check to later award the Visitors a penalty. 

Haaland Sent Robert Sanchez the opposite way to give city the lead. 

Chelsea bounced back quicker than expected striking twice in just eight minutes to take over the lead just towards the Half Time mark. 

It was Thiago Silva who equalised with a header from a Conor Gallagher corner kick then Reece James assisted Raheem Sterling to add in the second against his former side.

Chelsea's lead was however short lived as Manuel Akanji’s header forced a draw towards Half Time. 

Just at the start of the second Half, Julian Alvarez served Haaland to help the Norwegian score his 13th of the season restoring the lead for City. 

City Kept the fire burning attacking more and forcing Sanchez into more saves as Jeremy Doku and Alvarez fired shots at the reselient goalkeeper. 

Nicolas Jackson would then square the game after pouncing on a parried ball by Ederson from Conor Gallagher's Strike scoring his fourth goal in just two matches having scored a hat trick against spurs last weekend. 

Rodri striked late from the edge of the box flicking off Thiago Silva to yet again restore the lead for Manchester City which nearly seemed like a match winner. 

Ruben Dias brought Armando Broja down in the 92nd minute to give away a penalty, which was to be taken by Palmer in his first match since leaving the Citizens, and the 21-year-old clinically converted.

Manchester city retain their lead at the top of the table with one point ahead of Liverpool and Arsenal who come in second and Third both with 27 points separated by goal difference. 

Chelsea climb to 10th on the log with 16 points after 12 matches losing only once in their last 8 matches across all competitions. 

The Premier league takes a break next weekend as the international break resumes. 

Chelsea have now lost just one of their last eight across all competitions with more positive signs coming for Mauricio Pochettino.

Man City are still unbeaten in six competitive fixtures and top of the PL table.