Chelsea and City entertain in an eight-goal thriller

Erling Haaland (middle) being dragged to the ground by Marc Cucurella which resulted in Manchester City's first goal. The game ended 4-4. (Photo credit: Sky Sports)

By all available standards, the premium entertainment served by Chelsea and Manchester City at the Stamford Bridge Stadium on Sunday is a contender for the game of the season.

Eight goals, two penalties (one apiece), ex-players having a say on a big day and both teams settling for a point will go down as a Premier League classic, a game for the books and both managers can be proud of their lads.

Chelsea stepped to the pitch, trying to halt a run of games at home without a win and with defeat starring them in the face yet again, Cole Palmer stepped up to score a high-pressure penalty to share the spoils with the champions.

Manchester City had the chance to steer clear of Arsenal and Liverpool in second and third but couldn’t get past Chelsea despite spirited efforts; when Rodri blasted home City’s fourth off Thiago Silva, it felt like it was business as usual for Chelsea at the Bridge, but Palmer had the final say from six yards.

Marc Cucurella, preferred to Levi Colwill at left back dragged Erling Haaland to the ground and referee Anthony Taylor pointed to the spot; it looked harsh at the time but on replay, you can tell it’s more of wrestling than football.

Thiago Silva headed home the leveler not long after, but it was going to get even better for the Blues. Raheem Sterling got on the end of a neat Reece James pass in the Manchester City area, and it was 2-1; the former City man thought about it at first but halted his celebration midway, he must have remembered his days at the Etihad.

Manuel Akanji however had the last say of the first half. Bernardo Silva was left unmarked at the edge of the box, and he was allowed time to pick his cross; Manual Akanji rose to it and headed past Robert Sanchez in the Chelsea goal.

The second half started with a bang and in a way, it prepared us for another goal-fest. Haaland rolled home City’s third and his second of the day as early as the second minute of the second half. Nicolas Jackson found himself lucky to tap home a rebound from a Cole Palmer effort to level again as the ping-pong continues.

Manchester City thought they had won it when a Matteo Kovacic effort rolled to his path, and he blasted home off a rude touch from Silva but the game wasn’t done with us. Armando Broja brought on to find something late on eventually found Ruben Diaz wanting with a poor tackle and Anthony Taylor pointed to the spot.

Palmer converted and the game ended 4-4. Both managers confirmed it was the right result and Chelsea would be in the top half of the table (10^th) for the first time since the opening weekend of the league season while City stays on top albeit with a solitary point.