Chelsea Shows Resilience, Twice Rally to Draw with Man City in Thrilling 8-Goal Match

In a captivating encounter on Sunday, Manchester City edged ahead at the top of the Premier League table with a thrilling 4-4 draw against Chelsea. Erling Haaland, City's standout performer, netted two goals, only for former City player Cole Palmer to salvage a point for Chelsea with a penalty in stoppage time.

City took the lead when Spanish defender Marc Cucurella fouled Haaland, resulting in a VAR-awarded penalty. The Norwegian striker calmly slotted the ball past Robert Sanchez in the 24th minute, deceiving the goalkeeper with his placement.

Just five minutes later, Chelsea's veteran Brazilian defender Thiago Silva found the back of the net with a header from a Conor Gallagher corner, leveling the score.

• Ranking the Top 15 Players With the Most Premier League Hat-Tricks
• Arsenal Fans Express Despair as EPL Title Parade Plans Are Confirmed - "We Never Learn"

This marked the first time Chelsea had scored against Manchester City since their victory in the 2021 Champions League final. Prior to this match, they had suffered six consecutive defeats to City, including four in the league and two in cup competitions.

Former City forward Raheem Sterling, who was active and involved throughout the game, capitalized on a defensive error by Josko Gvardiol, allowing Reece James to provide a cross. Sterling tapped in the goal in the 37th minute, but refrained from celebrating as Stamford Bridge erupted.

However, Chelsea's lead was short-lived, as defender Manuel Akanji, who had been actively involved in the attacks in the first half, rose to head in City's equalizer during injury time.

Erling Haaland, displaying his aerial prowess, scored his second goal of the game and his 13th in the Premier League this season, giving Manchester City the lead just a minute into the second half.

However, there was little respite for the champions in this intense and back-and-forth encounter. In the 67th minute, Nicolas Jackson equalized for the home side, setting the stage for a thrilling second half. City regained the lead in the 86th minute through Rodri's strike, which took a deflection off Thiago Silva.

Just as it seemed City would secure all three points, they conceded a penalty in the 94th minute. Ruben Dias fouled Armando Broja in the box, resulting in the spot-kick. Manchester City's academy graduate, Cole Palmer, stepped up confidently and smashed the penalty home against his former club. Remarkably, this was Palmer's fourth successful penalty against Chelsea in as many attempts.

COLE PALMER TIES IT FROM THE SPOT FOR CHELSEA IN STOPPAGE TIME  pic.twitter.com/IXfSNkqgGQ

— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) November 12, 2023

"Very strange the first time I have played against City," Palmer told Sky Sports. "I have the upmost respect for the club I spent 15 years at and it is nice to see some friends."

Scorer Rodri said his side was exhausted.

"The level of the Chelsea team has risen and it was not our best performance today. Individually we needed to do a bit more ourselves -- to concede four goals is not normal for us," he told Sky.

With the draw against Chelsea, Manchester City now sit at the top of the Premier League table, surpassing Liverpool, with 28 points from 12 games. On the other hand, Chelsea, who have struggled to find consistent form this season, have moved up one place to 10th in the standings, accumulating 16 points.

Mason Mount Reportedly 'Homesick' After Departure from Chelsea, Struggling at Man United

Bacary Sagna believes he knows why Mason Mount has struggled since his £55 million transfer from Chelsea to Manchester United this summer.