Chelsea and Manchester City played out a breathless spectacle with Cole Palmer and Raheem Sterling netting against their former club to seal a 4-4 draw.
Despite Erling Haaland’s clinical brace, Palmer and Sterling delivered superb showings to settle a contest that twisted and turned at Stamford Bridge.
City led on three separate occasions but were pegged back in a pulsating showdown, with Palmer rounding off the scoring from the penalty spot late on.
A foul on substitute Armando Broja by Ruben Dias presented Palmer with the chance to deliver the dagger on his boyhood side, and he made no mistake in slotting in.
Here, Mail Sport‘s ADRIAN KAJUMBA rates both sets of players…
CHELSEA (4-3-3)
ROBERT SANCHEZ 7
Outstanding save when Haaland bore down on his goal. Untimely slip for Akanji’s header and, in an even busier second half, left helpless for City goals.
REECE JAMES 8
Got better of his duel with Doku. Went close with free-kick and set up Sterling’s goal but couldn’t outmuscle Haaland to deny him a second.
AXEL DISASI 7.5
Got through some crucial work inside his box and was proactive in his defending but silencing Haaland no easy task.
THIAGO SILVA 7
Brilliant darting near-post run and header to draw Chelsea level but it was his outstretched foot which deflected Rodri’s shot past Sanchez as City looked to have won the game.
MARC CUCURELLA 6.5
Typically tenacious and dogged in his defending up against Foden. Took it too far when challenging Haaland though to concede penalty. Booked.
MOISES CAICEDO 6
Dived in on Haaland and missed ball in costly fashion early in the second half as it went on to lead to City’s third goal. Booked.
ENZO FERNANDEZ 6.5
Clever piece of early trickery to beat Rodri caught the eye but lost concentration and let Akanji go to score for City.
CONOR GALLAGHER 8.5
High-energy and all-action display from midfielder. Full-blooded challenge on Dias hurt him but lifted crowd. Saved shot led to Jackson’s equaliser.
COLE PALMER 8.5
Grew into game increasingly influential. Hand in Sterling’s goal, denied stunning solo effort by Ederson and had the final word with cool equalising spot-kick. Booked for scuffing up the penalty spot before Haaland scored from 12 yards.
NICOLAS JACKSON 7
Was smothered by City’s defenders for most of game and Walker had pace to stop him early on. But kept cool when his moment came to make it 3-3. Booked.
RAHEEM STERLING 8.5
Scored once against his old club and was not far from a second too. Crowd enjoyed his nutmeg on Doku. Looked up for it all game. Booked.
SUBSTITUTES
Mudryk 7 (for Fernandez 64)
Gusto 7 (for James 64)
Broja (for Caicedo 90)
Ugochukwu (for Jackson 90+6)
MAURICIO POCHETTINO 7.5
Let rip at fourth official at full time as was not settling for a draw. Inspired another positive big-game result from his side. Booked.
MANCHESTER CITY (4-1-4-1)
EDERSON 7.5
Composed as ever on ball and handling good until poor parry straight to Jackson. Vital save denied Palmer what would have been a brilliant goal.
KYLE WALKER 6.5
Pace prevented Sterling and Jackson causing bigger problems early on but had his hands full with the former as the game wore on.
RUBEN DIAS 6
Miskick in build up to Sterling’s goal was costly and he couldn’t get back to salvage situation. Rash challenge also led to Chelsea’s late penalty.
MANUEL AKANJI 7.5
Big equalising goal at key time for City just before half-time. Was one who stepped into midfield but brilliant speed and defending to thwart Jackson on counter.
JOSKO GVARDIOL 5.5
Uncomfortable outing. Dived in wildly on James and lucky not to be punished. No escape when he got his feet in a tangle before Sterling scored.
RODRI 6
Not at his best amid the chaos, summed up by booking and giving ball away for Gusto chance. Almost won it late on though. Booked.
BERNARDO SILVA 6.5
Two inviting crosses from the left led to City goals but also let namesake Thiago Silva run away from him at a corner to make it 1-1.
PHIL FODEN 6.5
Inches away from scoring a curler for City in first half and was involved in Haaland’s second early after the interval. Good battle with Cucurella.
JULIAN ALVAREZ 6.5
Quiet first-half, more involved after the break. Delivered crucial cross for Haaland’s second and tested Sanchez with a half volley before being replaced.
JEREMY DOKU 5.5
Met match in James. Doku had one real moment of joy when he beat him but was mainly frustrated, summed up by caution for diving. Booked.
ERLING HAALAND 8
Another big game and another brace for City’s star man. Kept cool from the spot to start madness and bundled in second after the break.
SUBSTITUTES
Grealish 6.5 (for Doku 59)
Kovacic 6 (for Alvarez 79)
PEP GUARDIOLA 6.5
Unable to steady his side to retain a lead. They had it three times but were pegged back on each occasion.
ANTHONY TAYLOR 5
Already unpopular here and first-half penalty award against Cucurella did nothing to change that. Crazy game to try and control.
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Olivia Martin is a dedicated sports journalist based in the UK. With a passion for various athletic disciplines, she covers everything from major league championships to local sports events, delivering up-to-the-minute updates and in-depth analysis.
