With lead changes back and forth, Manchester City and Chelsea's meeting at Stamford Bridge on Sunday ended all square at 4-4. It sees City go one point clear atop the league but slowly, Chelsea are finding their footing after picking up four points in the week over top-four sides. Former City players Raheem Sterling and Cole Palmer found the back of the net for the Blues to cancel out Erling Haaland's brace but overall it was a clash of heavyweights that took each chance that they had.
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From Thiago Silva and Manuel Akanji punishing poor corner kick defense to Rodri's fortuitous strike needing a deflection to fool Robert Sanchez, the first kick to the final whistle, this was a match that shows what top teams in the Premier League bring to the table. With even Nicolas Jackson finding the back of the net for the Blues, things are looking up with the return of Christopher Nkunku on the horizon for Mauricio Pochettino's side.
Cole Palmer and Nicolas Jackson have scored in consecutive games and Chelsea were able to secure a gritty comeback against the league leaders Manchester City. After it took time for the blues to round into form they have now entered the top half of the table and will continue to climb if this form is here to stay.
It's a massive massive goal from Palmer who has now found the back of the net in two consecutive matches for the Blues. Palmer is showing Manchester City why he wanted more playing time.
In the 92nd minute of play Armando Broja went down in the box following a challenge from Ruben Dias in the box. Former City man Cole Palmer has been City's standard penalty taker and it looks like it will continue versus his old team. Yellows are now being issued due to City's protests following the penalty and both teams coming together.
A whopping eight minutes of stoppage time will be on the way as City look to hold on to their lead and go three points clear atop the league.
Was that the eventual winner as the midfielder's shot took a selection on the way in but it seemed to be on target to not go down as a Silva own goal. An epic finish is incoming to an epic match.
he enters to applause as City looks to get a foothold back in the match because the midfield has been second best since Enzo Fernandez exited so Palmer can enter the number 10 position.
Even Malo Gusto is getting in on the fun shooting. No matter what the outcome of the match is, the Blues are certainly back in the mix as one of the best teams in the Premier League.
After scoring a hat trick on Monday, Jackson is then able to score another goal. Gallagher's shot is parried by Erderson right into the path of Palmer and Jackson as fortunes may be changing for the new Chelsea forward.
Through on net he had a chance to force a save from Ederson but it wasn't enough as the entire City defense collapsed on him.
Adjustments ave been clear as City are quicker to the ball and more decisive in the final third. Even in their chances that haven't come off, City are ensuring that they are in the best position possible to make something happen. Doku is booked for simulation but even if he needs to come off, Jack Grealish, one of the sparks behind City's title charge last season, can enter.
City are on the counter and Julian Alvarez finds Erling Haaland for the goal as they're off and running. Haaland has now scored his 49th Premier League goal with a chance for a hat trick.
Each manager will want to tighten up defensively but this thrilling match has been open and exciting from the first kick to the halftime whistle. If Chelsea can keep their pressing energy in the second half of play, this game could be tough for City to pull away.
Following a corner kick, Bernardo Silva lifted the ball back into the box to find Manuel Akanji for the free header. City are back level with six minutes of stoppage time remaining in what has been a thrilling first half of play.
The pressure from Chelsea is relentless and Sterling tried another chance from outside the box although this one couldn't find the target. At this point, City may want to get into the locker room before conceding another goal. Even Robert Sanchez was able to make an excellent one v one save on Haaland.
The ole revenge goal as Chelsea countered excellently via Enzo Fernandez. Gvardiol was poor in transition allowing Reece James to find sterling for the goal. It's a party at Stamford Bridge.
Just an inch more to the left and Foden is putting City ahead 2-1 as after the Chelsea equalizer, Pep Guardiola's side are turning up the pressure. Only 10 more minutes until half but considering the penalty, there could be a decent amount of stoppage time.
Thiago Silva has leveled the game from a header following a Chelsea corner and City's lead didn't even last a full three minutes. Ederson should've saved that but excellent from Thiago Silva to score his first Premier League goal of the season.
Haaland picked his side and Sanchez went the wrong way to put City ahead 1-0 only 25 minutes in. Chelsea will need a response sooner than later as there hasn't been much to split the two sides but if you present City with chances, they will take them.
Cucurella pulled back Haaland and the VAR review will check the phase of play but at the moment, City will have a chance from the spot.
It's something that Chelsea can take as a positive as they have had chances in the match but City have been comfortable in defense. Corner kicks are beginning to pile up as both want to make their presence felt in possession but neither seems close to a breakthrough.
City are in more of a conventional back four with Kyle Walker tracking Raheem Sterling but Chelsea has confidence with the ball at their feet.
Taking to City like a fish to water, Doku will have the tough assignment of going against Reece James.
Starters: Ederson, Gvardiol, Akanji, Dias, Walker, Silva, Rodri, Doku, Alvarez, Foden, Haaland
Becoming an integral part of the Chelsea attack, Palmer will have a chance to start against his former team.
Starters: Sanchez, James, Disasi, Silva, Cucurella, Caicedo, Fernandez, Palmer, Gallagher, Sterling, Jackson
Mauricio Pochettino has a chance to string wins together against the top four for the first time as Chelsea manager. It won't be a walk in the park facing Manchester City but it will result in an excellent tactical battle between two top sides that we'll be right here for. Strap in for an excellent match.
