Big Match Recap: Chelsea 4-4 Man City
Report, reaction, stats and takeaways.
Cole Palmer’s stoppage-time penalty saw Chelsea peg Manchester City back in a thrilling 4-4 draw at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
Palmer, who left City for Chelsea at the end of the summer transfer window, kept his cool against his boyhood club to slot home from 12 yards in the 95th minute after Ruben Dias’ desperate foul on Armando Broja.
That came just nine minutes after Rodri seemed to have won it for City with a deflected strike from the edge of the area — Pep Guardiola’s side having rallied back after Nicolas Jackson had cancelled out Erling Haaland’s second goal of a remarkable afternoon.
Haaland got the ball rolling in the 25th minute, calmly stroking home from the penalty spot after referee Anthony Taylor harshly adjudged Marc Cucurella to have fouled the City striker.
Yet Thiago Silva headed in a swift equaliser, with Chelsea going ahead when Raheem Sterling tucked in from close range against his old team, who restored parity before half-time courtesy of Manuel Akanji’s header.
Fittingly, though, it was Palmer — having been denied by a brilliant Ederson save midway through the second half — who had the final say.
It leaves the top of the table hugely congested, with City leading the way, but only three points separating them from fifth-placed Aston Villa.
TAKEAWAYS
MORE HISTORY BECKONS FOR HAALAND
Haaland is now on 49 Premier League goals from just 47 games, meaning he is all set to smash the record for the number of appearances for a player to reach 50 goals in the competition.
Here is the top 10 as it stands:
Andrew Cole - 65 games
Alan Shearer - 66 games
Ruud van Nistelrooy - 68 games
Fernando Torres - 72 games / Mohamed Salah - 72 games
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang - 79 games
Sergio Aguero - 81 games
Thierry Henry - 83 games / Kevin Phillips - 83 games
Diego Costa - 85 games
SOUTHGATE SHOULD CALL ON STERLING
Having been a regular under Gareth Southgate, Sterling has found himself out in the cold when it comes to England in 2023.
While injuries stalled his first season at Chelsea, the winger has been in excellent form for his club this campaign — yet Southgate has not come calling.
But that decision should be questioned, especially when Bukayo Saka, who has been struggling for fitness and is in clear need of a rest, continues to be called up despite England having already qualified for Euro 2024.
Sterling, with five goals from 14 games this term, deserves his chance. At 28 — 29 next month — he is an experienced head who has been there and done it for the Three Lions in major tournaments, and has never let Southgate down.
Speaking of England call-ups, if Palmer maintains his sparkling form, there’s no reason why he shouldn’t be in the senior set up sooner rather than later.
“People know what I can do,” Sterling said. “With the foundation the manager’s built here, it’s just going out and performing.”
QUICK QUOTES
Rodri to Sky Sports
“We feel a bit exhausted, to be honest. We knew how tough it would be, the team they’ve built. They’ve signed massive players and the level of their team has risen. It wasn’t our best performance today, individually we must look at ourselevs because to concede four goals is not normal for us. But football is like this, we have to move forward and correct some mistakes.
“We played like [Chelsea] wanted us to. They have faster, stronger players and like transitions. We had to play our game. We needed to be more patient, have more of the ball. But we’re a team, we support each other and will move forward.”
Raheem Sterling to Sky Sports
“It was a good game. We wanted to win and continue after beating Tottenham. But we came back. It showed the mentality. We’re just building. It’s what we’ve tried to do. Slowly but surely, there’s been some setbacks. We’re making steps, little by little — long may it continue.”
Cole Palmer to Sky Sports
Very strange. I’ve got the utmost respect for the club that I spent 15 years at, it was good to see some friends. Unlucky not to get the win, but it was a great game. It was amazing, I was excited before the game to show what I can do.
“A long time waiting [for the penalty], but I felt confident. Just kept calm, kept focused. I’m not going to say I work on them, because I don’t! I just trust my natural ability.”
MATCH STATS
What a game that was. When Chelsea play like that it’s a wonder they’re not higher up the table.