5 Things Learned: Chelsea 4-4 Manchester City | Premier League

Chelsea came from behind three times to rescue a point against Manchester City on Sunday evening in the Premier League.

Mauricio Pochettino’s Blues put up an excellent fight against Pep Guardiola’s side but came up just short of snatching a win.

Chelsea started the contest full of energy and were putting up a good fight against last season’s treble winners, but the game was quickly spun on its head. Anthony Taylor awarded a controversial penalty for a Marc Cucurella foul on Erling Haaland, which the Norwegian converted from the spot.

While the home fans were frustrated, the Blues responded in lightning fashion. A corner from Conor Gallagher found the head of Thiago Silva, and the Brazilian guided his header across goal and tied the game.

The scoring in the first half was not done there though. In the 37th minute, Chelsea took the lead. Reece James’ delivery was turned in by Raheem Sterling to send Stamford Bridge into raptures.

As the interval drew closer, there was still room for another change to the scoreline, some poor defending from the hosts saw Manuel Akanji gifted a free header which he thumped home into the top corner.

The second half did not start well for the home side. A sharp breakaway from Manchester City resulted in Haaland bundling in from close range to restore the lead.

Chelsea did manage to find another equaliser though. A long range effort from Gallagher was parried away by Ederson, but the ball fell into the path of Nicolas Jackson who took a touch and made the net bulge.

In what looked a cruel ending for the hosts, an effort from Rodri hit Silva on its way to goal and left Robert Sanchez absolutely helpless, but there was one more twist left in this extraordinary tale.

As added time was reached, substitute Armando Broja was brought down by Ruben Dias in the penalty area, which left Cole Palmer with a chance from the spot. The 21-year-old smacked the ball into the top corner and tied the game at the death.

Here are five things Absolute Chelsea learned from today’s game at Stamford Bridge.

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1) The Blues can compete with the best

After a 4-1 win on Monday night against Tottenham Hotspur showed this Chelsea side can go toe-to-toe with the best teams in the league, against Manchester City they backed that up.

In these kind of games the Blues step it up a level. While they only drew against City, they demonstrated they are more than capable of causing problems for the best teams in the league.

2) Cole Palmer is a gem

What a moment for the young winger. When Chelsea were awarded a late penalty, there was only one man who was going to step up and take it. That man was Palmer.

Against his former team the 21-year-old scored a 94th minute equaliser with a fantastic penalty into the top left corner to rescue a point.

Chelsea signed him for £42.5 million and he has been absolutely sensational.

3) Chelsea show remarkable fight to come from behind

In seasons gone by the Blues have found it very difficult to come from a goal behind to get a result. Against City they came back from a goal down three times.

As was the case against Spurs, Chelsea found themselves a goal behind in this game, but once again they showed great fight and character.

4) Nicolas Jackson scores again

The Senegalese forward scored a hat-trick in the Blues’ last game against Spurs, but he was still criticised for missing other golden opportunities in that contest.

Against City he had a quiet game, but when his chance came he made sure to take it. In the midway point in the second half Gallagher’s saved effort fell to him, and he slotted past Ederson to level up the match.

5) Reece James looking more like his old self

The defender has been cursed with injuries in recent seasons and is coming off the back of a hamstring injury.

He has been building fitness the past few games but his performance against City was his best so far this season.

James provided an assist for Sterling and did very well to limit Jeremy Doku’s impact on the game.