Chelsea show new side of Mauricio Pochettino's plan Man City were not expecting
When the final goal went in, the scorer was the coolest player on the pitch amid the sheer mayhem.
Chelsea ’s injury-time hero Cole Palmer, who was on Manchester City's books from the age of eight, scored the 95th minute equaliser from the penalty spot and then did not want to celebrate against his old club. The Chelsea fans behind the goal could not believe their eyes, Palmer’s team-mates were jumping all over him and Pep Guardiola must have been left harbouring a tinge of regret.
It was Guardiola who said the other day that he would never stand in the way of a player wanting to leave because that would be a “small club” mentality. City more than played their part in an eight-goal classic but it was Palmer - who left the Etihad in the summer to get more regular games - another ex-City star in Raheem Sterling and Conor Gallagher who fought as if their lives depended on it.
It is hard to imagine you can get such drama and excitement like this anywhere but the Premier League as City were pegged back not just on the pitch but also in the title race.
Guardiola’s reigning champions remain top, but missed the chance to go three points clear and they are definitely not going to have it all their own way this season in what could be a four-horse title race with Arsenal, Liverpool and possibly Tottenham.
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That is why when City midfielder Rodri put them in front at 4-3 with just four minutes left in a goal reminiscent of his winner in the Champions League final, they celebrated like they had won a trophy.
But this looks like a new Chelsea, finding their way under Mauricio Pochettino but also a new battling, fighting spirit which meant they refused to give up.
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Cole Palmer is mobbed by his Chelsea team-mates after rescuing a point against Man City (Getty Images)Stamford Bridge was rocking and it was partly fired by a sense of injustice because they have a long history with referee Anthony Taylor and the fans were furious when he gave a penalty against them for the opening goal.
It had been a slow start, but the game came to life when Taylor pointed to the spot after Marc Cucurella pulled Erling Haaland ’s shirt as Bernardo Silva’s shot came into the middle. The penalty award survived a VAR check and Haaland converted it.
That stirred up the ground. The passion transferred into the players and Chelsea roared back. Chelsea were level after 29 minutes. Gallagher’s near post corner found Thiago Silva and his glancing header flew into the far corner.
Mauricio Pochettino celebrates as his Chelsea side battle back to claim a draw (IKIMAGES/AFP via Getty Images)Chelsea put themselves in front after 37 minutes. Palmer drove forward, City defender Josko Gvardiol lost track of Reece James who put over a low cross and there was Sterling to score against his old club. He did not quite know whether to celebrate either.
Chelsea fans responded with “Taylor, Taylor, what’s the score?” But City levelled in first half injury time as Bernardo Silva’s cross was headed in by Manuel Akanji with Chelsea’s marking non-existent.
City were back in front two minutes after the restart. Phil Foden released Julian Alvarez on the overlap, his low cross was bundled in by Haaland for his 17th of the season in all competitions and, incredibly, he now has 49 goals from 48 Premier League appearances.
Back came Chelsea. City keeper Ederson spilled Gallagher’s long range shot and Nicolas Jackson fired home the rebound. Substitute Malo Gusto missed a big chance to put Chelsea back in front.
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Then Rodri thought he had won it when his 86th minute shot was deflected in off Thiago Silva. But City had not bargained with Chelsea’s spirit. Armando Borja was upended by Ruben Dias and Palmer stepped up cool as you like to score against his old club.
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