Match Report and Player Ratings: Chelsea 4-4 Manchester City (Premier League)

Manchester City went one point clear at the top of the table after an eight-goal thriller at Stamford Bridge.

Pep Guardiola’s side will head into the international break winless again, as a late penalty from Cole Palmer concluded an enthralling clash in west London, with Manchester City throwing away the lead on three occasions.

Erling Haaland added to his goalscoring tally with two goals, however former Manchester City players Raheem Sterling and Cole Palmer were both on the scoresheet for the home side.

The game started with high intensity as both teams made it clear that they wanted to be in control of this fixture. It was shaping up to be a great game with no one backing down.

Connor Gallagher had the first chance of the game as his volley from the edge of the box was fired straight into the welcoming arms of Ederson. Akanji’s poor touch fell into the path of the Englishman for his strike.

It took Erling Haaland just 20 minutes to score his 12th goal of the season from the penalty spot after a lengthy VAR check. The Ballon d’Or runner-up won the penalty after a tussle with Marc Cucurella at the back post. He made no mistake and slotted the ball into the corner to give City the lead.

Chelsea found a leveler five minutes later from a corner that was won after Ederson made a superb save from a Reece James free-kick.

Conor Gallagher whipped the ball into the front post for 39-year-old Thiago Silva to glance it past the goalkeeper and into the side-netting.

The home side then scored again to go 2-1 up against Guardiola’s side due to a mistake by Josko Gvardiol, as former City winger Cole Palmer attempted to play through Reece James and Gvardiol failed to deal with the danger, allowing the Chelsea full-back to latch onto the ball.

He played the ball across the front of Ederson’s goal for Raheem Sterling to tap it into the net to score a goal similar to the goals he scored in a light blue shirt.

An equaliser looked certain for the Blues as Haaland found himself through on goal after a well-timed pass from Bernardo Silva. The Norwegian smashed the ball low but the Chelsea keeper got a firm hand to it to deny City’s number nine.

This time it was the team in light blue who scored from a corner with Manuel Akanji rising up and powering the ball past Sanchez to make it 2-2 in added time. The Swiss international was unmarked and latched onto Bernardo Silva’s floated cross to head home.

The half-time whistle went and both managers were quick to get in and talk to their players after that frantic and entertaining first half. Pep Guardiola won’t be happy as City had little control in the opening first half and were leaking chances.

It took City just 90 seconds to get back in the lead in the second-half and Haaland doubled his tally for the day. Phil Foden and Julian Alvarez combined on the right side before the Argentine squared the ball for Haaland to slide in and score City’s third.

Palmer gave Chelsea their first chance of the second-half in the 60th minute as he danced through the Manchester City defenders but Ederson came out to stop the £42.5 million man from scoring the sixth goal of the game.

The 67th minute saw Chelsea find an equaliser through Nicholas Jackson. Gallagher’s effort from outside the box was parried by Ederson straight into the path of Jackson to tap it to equalise.

Pochettino’s side should have taken the lead again through Malo Gusto, after Sterling intercepted a Rodri pass before laying it off to the right-back who smashed the ball over the bar – much to the delight of Ederson.

Our Champions League-winner came up with another clutch goal late on in the fixture. A scramble on the edge of the Chelsea box meant that a loose ball fell to the Spaniard who smashed it towards the goal. The ball struck the outstretched leg of Thiago Silva and found its way into the opposite corner to give City the lead.

However, Manchester City were unable to hold out for the three points, as late drama at Stamford Bridge saw Chelsea awarded a penalty in the 93rd minute after Ruben Dias’ sliding challenge on Armando Broja.

Dias went in to block the shot but took his leg instead, with Palmer converting from the spot and finding the top corner to make it 4-4.

The full-time whistle went and City went one point clear at the top of the table going into the international break after a spectacular game.

𝐅𝐔𝐋𝐋-𝐓𝐈𝐌𝐄… It ends level at Stamford Bridge. 🤯🤯🤯 pic.twitter.com/jRdlbHPkWc

— City Xtra (@City_Xtra) November 12, 2023

Player Ratings

Ederson – 5

Made good saves against Reece James and Cole Plamer but should’ve done better for their third goal. Distribution was excellent as always.

Kyle Walker – 4.5

Had no real impact going forward and was struggling to deal with Raheem Sterling when Chelsea had the ball.

Ruben Dias – 4

Played okay. Nothing too memorable about his game but will always fight for the ball. Conceded the late penalty for a reckless challenge.

Manuel Akanji – 7

Scored a good header in the first-half. Was sensible on the ball. Had a decent game.

Josko Gvardiol – 4.5

Struggled to deal with Palmer on the left and was at fault for Chelsea’s second goal.

Rodri – 7

Had a quiet first-half. Wasn’t able to control the game as well as he normally does. Picked up a yellow for pushing Palmer.

LOOK WHAT IT MEANS. 😍💙 pic.twitter.com/rkYJ3AJlNc

— City Xtra (@City_Xtra) November 12, 2023

Bernardo Silva – 6

Never gives up and covers so much ground. Always reliable and comes up with moments of magic.

Phil Foden – 7

Looked threatening when attacking but didn’t get on the ball as much to influence the game as much as he wanted.

Julian Alvarez – 5

Had a quiet first-half and didn’t get many opportunities in the second – snatched at one early on.

Jeremy Doku – 5

Didn’t get the ball much in the first-half so his impact was limited. Had a chance in the second but couldn’t convert and hit it straight at Sanchez. Also booked for a simulation prior to being replaced.

Erling Haaland – 8

Took his chances when he had them. Always in the right place at the right time and should be happy with his two goals.

Substitutes

Jack Grealish – 5

Won free-kicks in their half, and got Caicedo booked. Not much impact in the final third. Booked late on.

Mateo Kovacic – 6.5

Came on late and progressed the ball whenever he could.