Chelsea and Manchester City played out a thrilling 4-4 draw at Stamford Bridge as Cole Palmer’s stoppage-time penalty against his former team denied the champions victory in a breathless contest.
Erling Haaland opened the scoring from the penalty spot after Marc Cucurella was ruled to have fouled him in the box, in a controverial decision that could have easily gone the other way.
Chelsea had made a bright start and hit back with quickfire goals, first from Thiago Silva and then Raheem Sterling as he finished off a fine move against his former club.
But the champions responded as Manuel Akanji was left unmarked to equalise before half-time, before Haaland bundled in Phil Foden’s cross 90 seconds after the restart.
City were pegged back again, however, as Nicolas Jackson slammed home a rebound and it was Chelsea who wasted the next big chance when Malo Gusto curled over.
City retook the lead when Rodri’s shot deflected off Silva’s outstretched leg and into the net, but there would be one final twist as Ruben Dias gave away a penalty in stoppage time for a foul on Armando Broja.
Up stepped former City player Palmer, who kept his nerve to equalise again and level the scores at a scarcely believable 4-4. Follow all the Premier League reaction below after a Premier League classic
Chelsea vs Manchester City live
Chelsea and Man City play out a fabulous 4-4 draw at Stamford Bridge
Chelsea and Cole Palmer offer glimpse of exciting future in Premier League classic
90+5’ GOAL! – Palmer smokes a penalty past Ederson (CHE 4-4 MCI)
86’ GOAL! – A huge deflection puts City in front with minutes left (CHE 3-4 MCI)
76’ CLOSE! – Gusto curls his effort over the top of the crossbar (CHE 3-3 MCI)
67’ GOAL! – Jackson pokes home after Ederson’s fumble (CHE 3-3 MCI)
53’ SHOT! – Alvarez’s volley is kept out by Sanchez (CHE 2-3 MCI)
47’ GOAL! – City regain the lead as Haaland taps home Alvarez’s pass (CHE 2-3 MCI)
45+1’ GOAL! – Akanji nods City level again (CHE 2-2 MCI)
42’ SAVE! – Sanchez denies Haaland a second goal (CHE 2-1 MCI)
37’ GOAL! – Sterling taps in to put hosts in front (CHE 2-1 MCI)
29’ GOAL! – Thiago Silva nods in the equaliser for the Blues (CHE 1-1 MCI)
28’ CHANCE! – James’ free kick is pushed over the crossbar (CHE 0-1 MCI)
25’ GOAL! – Haaland converts from the penalty spot (CHE 0-1 MCI)
Chelsea FC 4 – 4 Manchester City FC
Chelsea and Cole Palmer offer glimpse of exciting future in Premier League classic
18:52 , Mike Jones
A player that Manchester City let go reins them back in, in a game that took off. Cole Palmer’s fine stoppage-time penalty was quite an ending to the story of the day, crowning what was probably the match of the season so far. While Chelsea’s late 4-4 draw ensures the defending champions are only a point clear at the top, it felt like this had a significance for more than the title race. It could be a launchpad for Palmer and maybe this Chelsea side, as they finally looked like a proper Mauricio Pochettino team.
They pressed and pushed City into a pulsating 4-4 draw, Pep Guardiola’s side doing their own part with some wondrous play.
There are a lot of issues with modern football, and it felt like this whole week was dominated by talk of referees, but this game right at the end reminded why we watch. VAR was mercifully muted, not quite silent, but it would feel even more wrong to talk about it after a game like that.
Chelsea and Cole Palmer offer glimpse of exciting future in Premier League classic
This is Pep Guardiola’s 882nd game as a manager, and the first to see his team both score and concede four goals in a single match.
Chelsea forward Cole Palmer, spoke to Sky Sports after the match saying: “Very strange the first time I have played against City I have the upmost respect for the club I spent 15 years at and it is nice to see some friends.
“Unlucky to not get the win. I have many City fans I know but it is the game.
“Long time waiting [to take the penalty] but I felt confident and I have had a few now. Kept calm and focused. Not going to say I work on them cause I don’t, I trust on my natural ability.
“It was amazing I was excited before the game to show what I can do and we went behind a few times and bounced back.”