Chelsea and Manchester City shared the points in the Match of the season so far in the English Premier League after the derby in the 12th round of the championship ended in a 4:4 draw at "Stamford Bridge". The champions were in sight of the three points, when their former player Cole Palmer made no mistake from the penalty spot in the fifth minute of added time in the clash.
The spectacle in the pouring rain in west London started with a goal in the 25th minute. The Citizens took the lead after a precise shot from the penalty spot by the team's top scorer Erling Haaland. Just four later minutes later Mauricio Pochettino's men were rewarded for their fine display with an equalizer from the ageless Thiago Silva. Former away player Raheem Sterling turned things around in the 37th minute, but at the end of the first half the Blues' defense fell asleep and Manuel Akanji headed in to make it 2:2.
After the break, the show at Chelsea's home turf continued in full force. 120 seconds after the start of the second half, Haaland put City in front once again. However, the hosts did not give up and Nicolas Jackson scored for the fourth time in the last two games to level the score at 3:3. In the 86th minute Rodri was about to become a hero for Pep Guardiola and co after scoring from Haaland's assist, but in the extra time another ex-City player, youngster Cole Palmer, kept his cool from the penalty spot to form the final 4:4. After the final whistle, Pochettino rightly reacted angrily to referee Anthony Taylor, who blew the whistle for the end of the game in the face of a dangerous attack from the Londoners.
Thus, City came out on top of the table with 28 points, but now only one ahead of the closest pursuers in Liverpool and Arsenal, who did not make a mistake at home to Brentford and Burnley respectively. Tottenham is fourth with 26 points, and fifth Aston Villa has 25. On the other hand, Chelsea scored four goals in consecutive matches for the second round in a row after the 4:1 away victory over Tottenham. The Blues are tenth in the standings with 16 points.
Chelsea face a tough visit to Newcastle after the international break, while Manchester City will look to return to winning ways when they host second-table Liverpool on November 25. /BGNES
