Goals: 29. Thiago Silva, 37. Raheem Sterling, 67. Nicolas Jackson, 90+5. Cole Palmer (pen.) – 25. Erling Haaland (pen.), 45+1. Manuel Akanji, 47. Erling Haaland, 86. Rodri
Manchester City football players drew 4:4 at Chelsea in the 12th round of the Premier League. It was no surprise that The Blues were the first to concede, as it had already happened in their 20th game in 2023. Unexpectedly, on the contrary, the next continuation of the match looked. The last four league meetings between these teams have been dominated by the Citizens, with a single goal each time. This time, however, the contest turned into a shootout, the main hero of which seemed to be Rodri, who sent the favorite into the lead with a spot-kick in the 86th minute. However, in the set-up, the Londoners kicked a penalty and it was converted by Cole Palmer, a pupil of the opponent, who only went to the capital in the summer. The home side have thus not lost a mutual encounter for the first time since May 2021, when they dominated the Champions League final.
The Citizens lost an important match with Arsenal a month ago, but before this round they occupied the first place in the table. In addition, the mutual balance of matches with Chelsea indicated that they will remain there even after its end, as The Blues have beaten them four times in a row in the league, always with the same result of 1:0. The light paradox of this hit was the figure of the referee. Anthony Taylor was relegated to the second highest league for a penalty last weekend, but this time he was in charge of the most watched duel of the weekend.
Despite Chelsea’s early activity, it was the visitors who struck first. After Marco Cucurella’s foul in the penalty area, Erling Haaland made his way from the penalty spot. However, the leadership did not last long. The Brazilian goalkeeper was still able to push Reece James’ direct kick over, but he was unable to reach the header of his compatriot Thiago Silva after a corner kick. A chain of mistakes by the visitors’ defensive line at the end of the first half was punished by the former manager of Pep Guardiola, Raheem Sterling, who knocked the ball into an empty net after a great work by James. Shortly after, it could have been equalized again, but the home fans sang odes to Roberto Sánchez, who caught Haaland’s dangerous shot. However, he was short on Manuel Akanji’s header after a corner kick.
The goal-scoring first half was followed by the second half. At the epicenter of the action was Haaland again, who pushed the ball past the goal line in a slide. A few minutes later, Jérémy Doku almost scored after a counterattack, but his shot was saved by a man between the three posts. His unconverted chance could soon upset the guests. Palmer slipped through the defense like a knife through butter, but his finish betrayed him. Mauricio Pochettino’s men have come up with an answer after all. Gallagher’s bomb from outside the box was headed by Ederson only in front of him, but a ready Nicolas Jackson was waiting there to equalize. Substitute Malo Gusto could have decided the fate of the match, but he shot over the goal from the penalty spot. Rodri, whose cannonball with the help of a flow rippled the net of the home goal, restored the lead back to the visitors’ side. In the set time, however, Rúben Dias fouled substitute Armand Broja in the penalty area and another penalty was awarded. This was converted by another former Manchester player, Palmer, who decorated a very good performance with a very important equalizing goal.
After four league defeats in a row, Chelsea took the lead and won a point. Her tough draw continues on November 25 in Newcastle, with Manchester City welcoming Liverpool on the same day.
