In a thrilling Premier League clash, Cole Palmer secured a late draw for Chelsea against his former team, Manchester City, converting a last-minute penalty. The drama unfolded with referee Anthony Taylor’s controversial decision to award a penalty to City, expertly converted by Erling Haaland. Chelsea swiftly responded, as Thiago Silva headed in from a corner, and Raheem Sterling tapped in Reece James’ cross to take the lead.
However, City managed to equalize just before halftime with Manuel Akanji’s powerful header. Haaland added his second early in the second half, but Chelsea once again responded, this time through Nicolas Jackson’s goal. Rodri’s deflected shot briefly put City in the lead, but Palmer’s injury-time penalty salvaged a point for Chelsea.
The match stirred debates around VAR, particularly regarding the contentious penalty decision that initially favored City. Referee Taylor awarded the penalty after Marc Cucurella appeared to pull Haaland, though replays showed Haaland had also grabbed Cucurella. Despite the controversy, VAR upheld the decision, leading to frustration from Chelsea, manager Mauricio Pochettino, and commentator Jamie Carragher.
Chelsea’s impressive performance ended their goalless streak against City, spanning 10 hours, and broke a six-game losing streak against the reigning champions, showcasing their resilience over the past two years.
Raheem Sterling’s impactful display, including a crucial goal, raised questions about Gareth Southgate’s decision to exclude him from the England squad, despite his stellar performance against City. Sterling’s goal, tapping in James’ cross, underlined his talent and emphasized the significance of former City stars, with Sterling playing a pivotal role in Chelsea’s dynamic performance against his former club.
