By Victor Kanayo
Contrary to numerous predictions, Chelsea on Sunday night matched Manchester City toe to toe in the last Premier League of the day with the thrilling encounter ending in a 4-4 draw.
The high-pitch game took Cole Palmer’s stoppage-time penalty to ensure that defending champions Manchester City leave Stamford Bridge with only one point.
Before then, City thought they had the three points when Rodri’s shot from the edge of the area touched off Thiago Silva past Chelsea keeper Robert Sanchez with four minutes left.
Chelsea, showing superb resilience, were not to be denied and Palmer – a £40m summer signing from Pep Guardiola’s side – stayed cool amid the mayhem to beat Ederson from the spot to leave City just a point clear of Liverpool at the Premier League summit.
Perhaps, Chelsea confidence was boosted after they ploughed depleted Tottenham 4-1 last week following intervention of Video Assistant Referee (VAR) which cut down Spurs squad to nine.
Twist Of Fate
While the Blues grew in confidence, Tottenham went on to lose again against Wolverhampton Wanderers this weekend.
As per Chelsea versus Manchester City match, Norway striker Erling Haaland later emerged as the man-of-the-match after scoring two goals and giving an assist.
Others
Liverpool went second on the League log after beating Brentford 3-0, just as Aston Villa remain fifth after beating Fulham 3-1.
And despite scoring, Nigeria’s Taiwo Awoniyi couldn’t rescue Nottingham Forest from West Ham’s 2-3 defeat on Sunday.
Luton town though resilient succumbed to Manchester United defeat.
