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
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Chelsea and Man City play out a fabulous 4-4 draw at Stamford Bridge
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Chelsea and Cole Palmer offer glimpse of exciting future in Premier League classic
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90+5’ GOAL! – Palmer smokes a penalty past Ederson (CHE 4-4 MCI)
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86’ GOAL! – A huge deflection puts City in front with minutes left (CHE 3-4 MCI)
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76’ CLOSE! – Gusto curls his effort over the top of the crossbar (CHE 3-3 MCI)
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67’ GOAL! – Jackson pokes home after Ederson’s fumble (CHE 3-3 MCI)
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53’ SHOT! – Alvarez’s volley is kept out by Sanchez (CHE 2-3 MCI)
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47’ GOAL! – City regain the lead as Haaland taps home Alvarez’s pass (CHE 2-3 MCI)
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45+1’ GOAL! – Akanji nods City level again (CHE 2-2 MCI)
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42’ SAVE! – Sanchez denies Haaland a second goal (CHE 2-1 MCI)
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37’ GOAL! – Sterling taps in to put hosts in front (CHE 2-1 MCI)
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29’ GOAL! – Thiago Silva nods in the equaliser for the Blues (CHE 1-1 MCI)
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28’ CHANCE! – James’ free kick is pushed over the crossbar (CHE 0-1 MCI)
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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
FT Chelsea 4-4 Man City
19:07 , Mike Jones
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.
Reaction from Chelsea’s Cole Palmer
19:03 , Mike Jones
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.”
Reaction from Sky Sports pundit Micah Richards
18:59 , Mike Jones
“That was exceptional.
“It was fantastic it had everything; goals, bad defending and tackles. That man Cole Palmer was outstanding today showing his worth.
“If you were a spectator you got your monies worth.”
FT Chelsea 4-4 Man City
18:55 , Mike Jones
This is the first top-flight game between Chelsea and Manchester City to see both sides score 3+ goals since November 1960 (Chelsea 6-3 Man City).
FT Chelsea 4-4 Man City
18:51 , Mike Jones
Erling Haaland has scored two or more goals in 36 league games since his Borussia Dortmund debut in 2020, more times than any other player in Europe’s big five leagues.
36 – Haaland
30 – Lewandowski
29 – Mbappé
20 – Benzema
19 – Kane
FT Chelsea 4-4 Man City
18:47 , Mike Jones
Manuel Akanji has scored in each of his last three appearances for Manchester City, having scored one goal in his first 60 games for the club.
FT Chelsea 4-4 Man City
18:43 , Mike Jones
Today’s game was the 20th time that Chelsea have fallen 1-0 down in the Premier League in 2023, the joint-most any side has conceded the first goal in the competition this year (also Bournemouth and Crystal Palace).
The recovered brilliantly though. A sign of things to come for Pochettino’s men?
FT Chelsea 4-4 Man City
18:39 , Mike Jones
Full-time! Chelsea 4-4 Man City
18:36 , Mike Jones
90+10 mins: Eight goals, four for each side, and there’s still no winner. The whistle goes to end this thrilling contest with the points being shared.
Chelsea’s stoppage time penalty sees them take a point away from the Premier League champions and possibly announce that they are on the way up.
City stay at the top of the table, one point ahead of Arsenal and Liverpool but they know they’ve been made to work for that point.
What a fantastic display from both teams.
Chelsea 4-4 Man City
18:32 , Mike Jones
90+8 mins: Kyle Walker takes it and lifts his shot over the top of the goal!
Chelsea 4-4 Man City
18:31 , Mike Jones
90+7 mins: Nicolas Jackson and Jack Grealish were the men booked as part of the scramble following the penalty decision.
At the other end of the pitch, Foden is clattered by Sterling meaning City win a free kick in another dangerous are. They couldn’t win it here, could they?
GOAL! Chelsea 4-4 Man City (Palmer, 90+5’)⚽️
18:29 , Mike Jones
90+5 mins: He scores! Palmer smokes it into the top corner and beats Ederson. Chelsea are level once more and there’s still time left in this match.
Chelsea 3-4 Man City
18:28 , Mike Jones
90+4 mins: Before the penalty is taken the referee issues a bunch of yellow cards after Man City’s players spit their dummies out over the decision. In response the Chelsea team square off and there’s a bit of a barny before the referee draws a line under the whole thing.
Cole Palmer, the former Manchester City man, is going to take the penalty.
Penalty to Chelsea!
18:27 , Mike Jones
Chelsea 3-4 Man City
90+2 mins: Raheem Sterling chips the ball into the box and picks out Armando Broja. The substitute looks to check inside of Ruben Dias who dives to ground and takes out the forward’s trailing leg.
The referee points to the spot and there’s a chance for the hosts to equalise.
Chelsea 3-4 Man City
18:24 , Mike Jones
90 mins: There’s eight minutes of stoppage time to play at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea 3-4 Man City
18:23 , Mike Jones
89 mins: That goal looks to be sinking Chelsea who have been excellent today. Manchester City tend to pull results out the hat though which is why they’re the Premier League champions.
Armando Broja comes on to replace Moises Caicedo. Is there time for one final twist?
GOAL! Chelsea 3-4 Man City (Rodri, 86’)⚽️
18:21 , Mike Jones
86 mins: Is that the winner?!
Mateo Kovacic takes a shot from the edge of the box but sees his effort deflected back to Rodri. The midfielder drills a shot at goal and gets fortunate as Thiago Silva sticks out a legt to block the ball.
Instead it bounces off him, sends the goalkeeper diving the opposite way and finishes in the back of the net!
Chelsea 3-3 Man City
18:19 , Mike Jones
82 mins: Conor Gallagher has a go from a long way out but smokes his dipping effort over the top. It was ambitious but not likely to beat Ederson from that range.
Chelsea 3-3 Man City
18:13 , Mike Jones
79 mins: Julian Alvarez is whipped off to allow Mateo Kovacic to come on and face his old club. Kovacic has just over 10 minutes to find a winning goal for Manchester City.
18:10 , Mike Jones
76 mins: Chance! Raheem Sterling dribbles through Jack Grealish and carries the ball into the penalty area. He draws in Manuel Akanji before slipping the ball across to Malo Gusto.
Gusto just has the goalkeeper to beat but curls his left-footed effort over the top of the crossbar!
That was the moment for Chelsea to take the lead.
Chelsea 3-3 Man City
18:07 , Mike Jones
73 mins: Rodri bungles Cole Palmer, who has moved into a central position, onto the floor as Chelsea look to counter. The City midfielder is shown a yellow card but the visitors manage to force Chelsea to retreat from the free kick.
Chelsea 3-3 Man City
18:03 , Mike Jones
70 mins: What a game this is. Can Chelsea go on to beat the Premier League champions from here? Mauricio Pochettino is gesticulating wildly on the sidelines. He thinks his team can do it.
GOAL! Chelsea 3-3 Man City (Jackson, 67’)⚽️
18:02 , Mike Jones
67 mins: Chelsea send the ball out to Mykhailo Mudryk on the left wing. He drives down the line before sending it inside. Conor Gallagher shoots and draws a save out of Ederson who fumbles the ball.
It bobbles out to Nicolas Jackson who pokes it home and takes Chelsea level.
Chelsea 2-3 Man City
17:58 , Mike Jones
65 mins: Mauricio Pochettino switches things up now. Reece James and Enzo Fernandez go off with Myhailo Mudryk and Malo Gusto brought on.
Conor Gallagher has been given the armband as Ederson stays down wanting a bit of treatment.
Chelsea 2-3 Man City
17:56 , Mike Jones
62 mins: Jeremy Doku’s day is done as Pep Guardiola brings on Jack Grealish to replace him. Grealish had a fine night against Young Boys during the week and will be tasked with getting City another goal.
Foden takes a shot from the edge of the penalty area but can’t get it past Robert Sanchez in goal.
Chelsea 2-3 Man City
17:55 , Mike Jones
59 mins: Close! Cole Palmer comes into the middle and receives the ball. He spins and decides to go alone managing to get past three defenders before prodding a shot at goal and forcing Ederson into a fine save.
Chelsea haven’t given up this game yet.
Chelsea 2-3 Man City
17:51 , Mike Jones
56 mins: Raheem Sterling finds a touch of space when running up against Kyle Walker. He fizzes a low effort across the box but Ederson drops low and smothers the ball before it finds a Chelsea shirt.
Chelsea 2-3 Man City
17:47 , Mike Jones
53 mins: Close! Axel Disasi deals with a cross into the box from the left but the clearance comes out to Rodri who brings the ball back into the penalty area.
It drops to Julian Alvarez who puts his foot through a fine effort and draws Robert Sanchez into a sharp stop.
Chelsea 2-3 Man City
17:44 , Mike Jones
50 mins: Chelsea fought back after conceding the penalty in the first half, can they do so again in this second half?
Raheem Sterling runs down the left and flicks the ball into the box but Ruben Dias is there to nod it away. Conor Gallagher can’t gain control of the ball and Dias follows up his earlier effort with a powerfully launched kick up the field.
GOAL! Chelsea 2-3 Man City (Haaland, 47’)⚽️
17:42 , Mike Jones
47 mins: City regain the lead!
A long ball comes up to Erling Haaland who works it across to Phil Foden. Foden brings the ball to the edge of the box then plays in Julian Alvarez.
He slides a pass across the face of goal and picks out Erling Haaland who turns the ball into the back of the net.
Second half! Chelsea 2-2 Man City
17:39 , Mike Jones
Manchester City kick off the second half with neither manager making a change to the line-ups. The first half was incredible viewing, can the second half live up to it?
HT Chelsea 2-2 Man City
17:35 , Mike Jones
Thiago Silva is only the fourth different player to score a Premier League goal while aged 39 or older, along with Teddy Sheringham, Dean Windass, and Ryan Giggs.
Jamie Carragher bemused by penalty decision in Man City vs Chelsea: ‘It’s not right’
17:31 , Mike Jones
Jamie Carragher was stunned by the “very harsh” penalty awarded to Manchester City at Stamford Bridge after Chelsea defender Marc Cucurella was ruled to have fouled Erling Haaland in the box.
Haaland converted the penalty to give the champions the lead in the Premier League clash, but Chelsea were furious and insisted Cucurella had actually been fouled by Haaland as they grappled at the back post.
Replays suggested that Haaland may have initiated the contact with the Chelsea full-back, before the striker went to ground after Cucurella pulled on his shirt.
Jamie Carragher bemused by penalty decision in Man City vs Chelsea: ‘It’s not right’
HT Chelsea 2-2 Man City
17:27 , Mike Jones
Half-time! Chelsea 2-2 Man City
17:23 , Mike Jones
45+6 mins: A wonderful first half comes to an end at Stamford Bridge with the teams on level terms. Manchester City were lucky to be gifted a penalty which Erling Haaland slotted home to open the scoring but the next three goals were top class.
Thiago Silva and Raheem Sterling netted for the hosts before Manuel Akanji drew City level in stoppage time.
Lots for both managers to think about with the game still on the line for the second half.
GOAL! Chelsea 2-2 Man City (Akanji, 45+1’)⚽️
17:18 , Mike Jones
45+1 mins: Manuel Akanji!
A corner for Man City is knocked short to Bernardo Silva who takes a touch before lifting a cross into the middle of the box. Akanji moves in between Reece James and Thiago Silva, leaps into the air and nods a strong header into the back of the net.
Chelsea 2-1 Man City
17:17 , Mike Jones
45 mins: There’s going to be six minutes of added time to play at the end of the first half.
Chelsea 2-1 Man City
17:14 , Mike Jones
42 mins: Save! Brilliant from Robert Sanchez.
Bernardo Silva brings the ball into the middle of the pitch and drives forward. He slips a through ball into Erling Haaland who sprints away from Thiago Silva and carries the ball into the box.
He shoots, sending his effort across goal but Sanchez leaps low to his left and palms the ball away!
Chelsea 2-1 Man City
17:11 , Mike Jones
40 mins: There’s a game on at Stamford Bridge now. Manchester City are growing a bit frustrated as they’re not having things go their way since the penalty.
Chelsea need to keep the same mindset. They started this match being aggressive and are seeing a lot of joy on the counter-attack.
GOAL! Chelsea 2-1 Man City (Sterling, 37’)⚽️
17:09 , Mike Jones
37 mins: Chelsea lead!
Enzo Fernandez recovers the ball in the middle of the pitch and slides it over to Cole Palmer. Palmer sends the ball into the box where is gets stuck under the feet of Josko Gvardiol.
Reece James nicks it off the defender then squares a pass over to Raheem Sterling who slots it home.
Chelsea 1-1 Man City
17:06 , Mike Jones
35 mins: Close! City have upped the tempo. Rodri drives the ball through midfield before slipping the ball over to Phil Foden on the right side of the pitch.
He cuts inside of Marc Cucurella before curling a shot mrer inches wide of the far post. That would have been a lovely goal.
Chelsea 1-1 Man City
17:03 , Mike Jones
32 mins: Phil Foden floats a cross into the box as City work the ball up the pitch. He’s aiming for the back post where Erling Haaland arrives and volleys his effort wide of the target.
GOAL! Chelsea 1-1 Man City (Thiago Silva, 29’)⚽️
17:03 , Mike Jones
29 mins: Equaliser! From the corner, Conor Gallagher whips the ball over to the near post where Thiago Silva makes a run into space.
He meets the ball and nods it into the deck. Ederson doesn’t have the best view of the cross and is late to react meaning he cant get across as it sneaks in at the near post.
Chelsea 0-1 Man City
17:00 , Mike Jones
28 mins: Chance! Chelsea win a free kick just outside the penalty area and Reece James decides he’s going to take it. He whips the ball up and over the wall before getting it to dip under the bar.
Ederson leaps to his right and pushes the ball over the top for a corner! Great save.
Chelsea 0-1 Man City
16:58 , Mike Jones
27 mins: To make matters worse for Chelsea, Marc Cucurella was booked for giving away the penalty so he’ll need to be careful taking on the likes of Phil Foden for the rest of the game.
In response, Chelsea come down the left side and feed the ball up to Sterling. He sends it inside to Gallagher who lays the ball off to Moises Caicedo.
Caicedo shoots from range but clatters his effort right into Rodri who boots the ball clear.
GOAL! Chelsea 0-1 Man City (Haaland, 25’)⚽️
16:56 , Mike Jones
25 mins: Erling Haaland wins the penalty for Manchester City and converts it too! He slides the ball to the goalkeeper’s right as Robert Sanchez dives the opposite way.
City take to lead thanks to a controversial decision from the officials. That’s going to be another talking point at the end of this game.
Penalty to Man City!
16:54 , Mike Jones
Chelsea 0-0 Man City
21 mins: Chelsea have players on the deck but the referee allows Man City to play on. Bernardo Silva brings it down the left side and whips a cross into the box. Reece James deals with the initial ball under pressure but only nods it back to Silva.
The midfielder whips a second effort over to the back post where Erling Haaland and Marc Cucurella come together. The defender seems to have his hands on Haaland with the striker tussling back.
Both men go down and the referee points to the spot. VAR doesn’t overturn the decision.
Chelsea 0-0 Man City
16:50 , Mike Jones
18 mins: Shot! Reece James gets forward on the right side before knocking the ball to Enzo Fernandez. He tries to get Nicolas Jackson into the box but the ball is deflected across to Conor Gallagher.
Gallagher lets the ball bounce then nails a great shot towards goal only for Ederson to pluck it out of the air without too much trouble.
Chelsea 0-0 Man City
16:47 , Mike Jones
15 mins: City win a free kick inside Chelsea’s hald over on the left hand channel.
It’s slipped short to Josko Gvardiol then played back across the middle of the pitch. Rodri manages to pick out Julian Alvarez who turns and shoots but Marc Cucurella is there to turn the ball behind for a corner.
Chelsea 0-0 Man City
16:45 , Mike Jones
12 mins: Close! Josko Gvardiol comes flying into the midfield to try and win a 50-50 ball loses out. A gap then open up in the City defence where Cole Palmer is slipped the ball.
He brings it into the box from the right and should offload it to the open Conor Gallagher. Instead he goes for glory against his own club and fizzes a shot into the nearest defender before the attack dies down.
Chelsea 0-0 Man City
16:42 , Mike Jones
9 mins: Manchester City look to work the ball into the box from the right wing but Phil Foden is repeatedly being closed down by multiple defenders before he can get a cross in.
From a throw in, City sweep the ball over to the opposite wing where Jeremy Doku weaves into the box and takes a shot only for it to get blocked and booted away.
Chelsea 0-0 Man City
16:37 , Mike Jones
6 mins: This is good from Chelsea. Enzo Fernandez is brought down in the middle of the pitch and wants a free kick but Chelsea recover the ball and play advantage as they fly down the left.
Raheem Sterling receives the ball and cuts inside before slipping a pass into the box for Marc Cucurella’s overlapping run. The left-back looks for the cross but Phil Foden gets a toe on the ball and prods it out for a corner.
The set piece is then whipped into the middle but City manage to deal with it.
Chelsea 0-0 Man City
16:35 , Mike Jones
3 mins: Bernardo Silva makes a run down the left side of the pitch off the ball and receives it from Julian Alvarez dinking a pass over the top.
Bernardo drives towards the byline but a back-tracking Cole Palmer manages to boot the ball into his old teammate where it deflects behind for a goal kick.
Kick off! Chelsea 0-0 Man City
16:32 , Mike Jones
Chelsea get the game started at Stamford Bridge. They work the ball nicely through the midfield and get to the edge of Man City’s box but the visitors manage to win the ball and clear their lines.
Pre-match thoughts from Mauricio Pochettino
16:26 , Mike Jones
“We will see if we can deliver what we want on the game to challenge them.” said the Chelsea boss on Sky Sports
“In the way we want to play and it will be tough they are a team which are solid and playing a long period together.
“We have the same ideas and philosophies to challenge them but it is about in believing that we can win the game and to dominate and play in the way we want.”
Chelsea vs Man City
16:24 , Mike Jones
Erling Haaland has scored 67 goals in 70 appearances for Man City in all competitions since the beginning of last season. Chelsea have netted a total of 72 goals in 64 matches in that same period.
Chelsea vs Man City
16:21 , Mike Jones
Cole Palmer scored six goals in 41 appearances for Manchester City in all competitions, including goals in this season’s Community Shield and European Super Cup.
Since joining Chelsea, he has settled himself as a regular in the line-up and could make his old club pay this afternoon.
Chelsea vs Man City
16:18 , Mike Jones
Pep Guardiola has lost eight matches against Chelsea, the joint most of his managerial career alongside Liverpool.
Chelsea’s downward spiral offers stark warning to Man City
16:15 , Mike Jones
Pep Guardiola’s early nemeses have joined forces. The Catalan’s first defeat as Manchester City manager was inflicted by Mauricio Pochettino, his second by Chelsea.
In his maiden season in England, 2016-17, his City finished a distant third, behind Chelsea and Pochettino’s Tottenham. His quest to win the Champions League with City eventually ended in June: two reasons why it was not concluded earlier were Pochettino, whose Spurs side eliminated City in 2019, and Chelsea, who beat them in the 2021 final.
And yet as Guardiola goes to Stamford Bridge on Sunday, it is having knocked Chelsea off their perch. The 2017 Premier League title was Chelsea’s fifth in 14 seasons, and they finished 15 points ahead of City. Since then, they have not mustered a title challenge. City have claimed 154 points more in the subsequent six campaigns; they are already 12 ahead after 11 games now.
Chelsea’s downward spiral offers stark warning to Man City
Chelsea vs Manchester City
16:10 , Mike Jones
Manchester City are aiming to keep consecutive away clean sheets in the league for the first time since a run of five from February to April 2022.
Since losing against Chelsea and Brighton in May 2021, City have only lost one of the last 68 Premier League games in which they have scored the first goal (W61, D6).
Chelsea vs Man City
16:05 , Mike Jones
Chelsea’s only win in the last 13 home league games was 3-0 versus Luton in August. They have failed to score in nine of their 18 home league fixtures in 2023, including three of the last four.
Chelsea vs Man City
16:00 , Mike Jones
Manchester City’s tally of 27 points is their highest after 11 league matches since they had 29 at this stage in 2018-19. They have lost three of their last six away games in all competitions, but are on a 23-match winning streak at home.
Jeremy Doku’s brilliance shows Man City’s edge and Chelsea’s key problem
15:55 , Mike Jones
Over the past few months, as Chelsea’s hierarchy started to settle into the club, they became fixated on a specific idea relevant to this weekend’s game. They began to study what makes 100-point seasons and record-breaking sides. That might seem some way off, to an almost comic degree, but you’ve got to have goals.
Manchester City are the obvious case study, since they are the only club to manage a centurion season and they still break records. As regards what made that possible, the usual explanation might be “one of the most lavishly expensive football projects in history” but Chelsea’s owners also have huge resources and are clearly willing to spend them. Their outlay on transfer fees so far, if not quite wages, has recalled the dizzy days of Roman Abramovich between 2003 and 2006 and the first few years of the Abu Dhabi ownership at City.
And Chelsea might have a more specific reason to look at the European champions for inspiration.
Jeremy Doku’s brilliance shows Man City’s edge and Chelsea’s key problem
Chelsea vs Man City
15:50 , Mike Jones
Chelsea have won three of their last five league matches, following a run of just two victories in 18 attempts. They are looking to avoid registering nine home league defeats in a calendar year for the first time since 1986.
Chelsea vs Man City
15:46 , Mike Jones
Manchester City can become the first club to win four consecutive top-flight away fixtures against Chelsea since Leeds United won six in a row at Stamford Bridge from 1973 to 1991.
Chelsea vs Man City
15:43 , Mike Jones
Chelsea are looking to avoid five consecutive league defeats against a specific opponent since a run of seven at the hands of Blackburn between 1993 and 1996.
Chelsea vs Man City
15:40 , Mike Jones
Manchester City have won 1-0 in each of the last four Premier League meetings.
The only opponents Chelsea have failed to score against in more than four successive top-flight fixtures are Newcastle United: six games from 1913 to 1919.
Chelsea vs Man City team changes
15:35 , Mike Jones
Mauricio Pochettino makes just one change to the Chelsea team that defeated Tottenham last time out. Levi Colwill is replaced at left-back by Marc Cucurella.
Pep Guardiola, meanwhile, makes a fews changes to his Manchester City team that hammered Bournemouth in the league last time out.
John Stones and Nathan Ake drop out of the back line with Josko Gvardiol and Ruben Dias slotting back in. Mateo Kovacic is also replaced with Phil Foden further up the pitch.
Chelsea vs Man City line-ups
15:31 , Mike Jones
Chelsea XI: Sanchez; James, Disasi, Thiago Silva, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez; Palmer, Gallagher, Sterling; Jackson
Man City XI: Ederson; Walker, Akanji, Dias, Gvardiol; Rodri, Bernardo, Foden, Doku, Alvarez, Haaland
Your City line-up! 💪
XI | Ederson, Walker (C), Akanji, Dias, Gvardiol, Rodrigo, Bernardo, Foden, Doku, Alvarez, Haaland
SUBS | Ortega Moreno, Carson, Phillips, Kovacic, Grealish, Nunes, Bobb, Lewis#ManCity | @etihad pic.twitter.com/GCNRD3bW2g
— Manchester City (@ManCity) November 12, 2023
Chelsea will be fighting for titles sooner rather than later, says Pep Guardiola
15:25 , Mike Jones
Pep Guardiola expects Chelsea to be back challenging for the title in the near future. Chelsea last won the Premier League during Guardiola’s first season at Manchester City in 2016-17.
Since then it is City who have dominated the competition, taking the crown in five of the past six campaigns.
Chelsea did edge out City in the 2021 Champions League final but there has been plenty of turbulence at the London club since, and they currently sit 10th in the table.
Chelsea will be fighting for titles sooner rather than later, says Pep Guardiola
Jackson development going well
15:20 , Mike Jones
Nicolas Jackson scored the first hat-trick of his career against Tottenham on Monday evening when leading the line for Chelsea, easing a bit a pressure on the striker and quieting down the outside noise that he is not good enough to be the Blues’ main attacker.
“It’s always a process and it [the hat-trick against Tottenham] has not changed my view,” explained Mauricio Pochettino about Jackson’s role in the team.
“Nico is still young and needs to be more mature and improve. He scored three goals, ok, he should’ve scored six. That is the idea: it’s never enough.
“The important thing is to stay calm and relaxed. Nico is a talented player, who will improve in time and score goals. Nights like Monday will help him be less nervous and approach the game in a different way.”
Sterling ‘desperate’ to play for England says Pochettino
15:15 , Mike Jones
Raheem Sterling days as an England international seem to be numbered as the forward was once again omitted from Gareth Southgate’s squad for the upcoming international break.
Chelsea manager, Mauricio Pochettino, spoke about the decision to leave Sterling out and revealed that the 28-year-old is still desperate to regain his England place.
“It’s difficult to talk because I don’t want to say anything about the decision, because Gareth Southgate is the coach and we need to respect his decision.” said Pochettino,
“All I can say is Raheem, Reece [James] and all the English players have the spirit to go to the national team because they really love to be involved with the national team.
“Sometimes they feel disappointed because they are not but the only way to change the situation is working hard with your club and showing you deserve to be there and respect the decision of the coach.
“But they are desperate to be involved in the national team. The decision is not in their hands, it is just in their hands to perform.”
Pochettino on Nkunku and Lavia
15:10 , Mike Jones
Two of Chelsea more exciting players, Christopher Nkunku and Romeo Lavia, have spent long spells on the sidelines since moving to Stamford Bridge but both are edging closer to a return says Mauricio Pochettino.
“I had a conversation with Christopher and he said to me he wanted to be involved after the international break, against Newcastle,” revealed the Chelsea boss. “I asked yesterday and he wasn’t as sure, so I told him he is a liar! In a good way, though.
“I think he’s close and he is doing really well. We are so happy with him in the way that he is doing his recovery. He is very professional.
“Romeo Lavia is also close, they were both training today on the pitch. We hope that next week they will be involved with the team and we will assess day by day to see when they can start to play and help the team.”
Pep Guardiola offers John Stones injury update
15:05 , Mike Jones
Manchester City face an anxious wait to see if John Stones will be fit to face Liverpool later this month.
The England defender, who has only made six appearances in an injury-hit season, came off at half-time in Tuesday’s win over Young Boys of Bern and manager Pep Guardiola has ruled him out of Sunday’s trip to Chelsea.
Guardiola said Stones’ muscular problem is not as serious as he initially feared but is unsure when the 29-year-old will be fit again and he has a race against time to be available for the clash with Liverpool on 25 November.
Pep Guardiola offers John Stones injury update
De Bruyne making progress with hamstring injury
15:00 , Mike Jones
Kevin De Bruyne has been missing from Manchester City’s team since August after injuring his hamstring in the opening game of the season against Burnley.
When speaking about the injuries in his squad Pep Guardiola revealed the Belgian is ‘feeling good’, but is still a few weeks off returning to full training.
“I spoke with him and he said he feels really good,” said Gaurdiola, “He’s not training with us yet and I don’t know when he will. I would say he’s in the last phase before he trains with us again.
“I think (that could be soon), but I don’t know. This kind of injury, it’s better we don’t put pressure on him If the physio says next step, next step, no pressure.
“Recover, it’s not necessary to take the wrong or bad decision and then you’re back (where you were) again. Kevin’s was a bad injury with surgery, so it’s step by step.”
Guardiola on Stones’ injury
14:55 , Mike Jones
Manchester City boss, Pep Guardiola, has issued an update on John Stones’ injury and confirms that the versatile defender won’t be available until after the international break.
Stones had recently returned to City’s team having been absent since August but picked up a muscle injury in the 3-0 win over Young Boys though Guardiola revealed the issue may not be as bad as initially thought.
“He is injured,” said Guardiola at his Friday press conference. “He is not ready for tomorrow and we will see after international break. I don’t know (whether he will be ready) for Liverpool.
“The doctor says it’s not as bad (as first thought), but still I don’t know. When he is going to be fit again, he will be back.”
Chelsea vs Man City odds and tips
14:50 , Mike Jones
Chelsea and Manchester City face off in the Premier League at Stamford Bridge with Mauricio Pochettino’s men looking for a second win on the bounce on Sunday (4:30pm, Sky Sports Main Event).
The Blues secured a vital win over Tottenham on Monday after Spurs were reduced to nine men.
Nicolas Jackson notched a hat-trick at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, and Pochettino will hope that the result kickstarts the forward’s and Chelsea’s campaign.
Chelsea are sitting in mid-table and are a fair distance away from a top four spot, and the sight of the champions arriving at the Bridge will not be a welcome one.
Pep Guardiola’s men have won five on the bounce ahead of their clash with Chelsea, and reclaimed their place at the top of the Premier League following a 6-1 triumph over Bournemouth last week.
City have re-affirmed their status with online football betting sites as the favourites for the title even after a tricky period in September.
The champions will be aiming for a fourth Premier League win in a row to retain their lead at the top of the table heading into the two-week international break.
Looking at the Premier League odds, Guardiola’s men are strong favourites for the clash. Here are our Chelsea vs Manchester City predictions for Sunday’s showdown.
Chelsea vs Manchester City predictions: Premier League betting tips and odds
Chelsea vs Manchester City prediction
14:45 , Mike Jones
Chelsea will be buoyed by their victory over Tottenham last time out but Manchester City are a different prospect. A couple of goals for Pep Guardiola’s men will evaporate the Blues’ confidence and lead City to a relatively comfortable win.
Chelsea 1-3 Manchester City.
Chelsea vs Man City early team news
14:40 , Mike Jones
A numbers of Chelsea’s injury absentees are moving closer to a return, though both Christopher Nkunku and Romeo Lavia remain out for now. Enzo Fernandez and Reece James, who asked to be left out of the England squad this week, should be available to feature, though.
Manchester City suffered their own injury blow in midweek Champions League action, as John Stones left the pitch after picking up a knock. Pep Guardiola admitted his side could be “in trouble” if the versatile defender misses a significant period of time. He was unable to put a possible timeline on a return ahead of this game, while it is also unclear when Kevin De Bruyne will be back to fitness after a long lay-off.
Predicted line-ups
Chelsea XI: Sanchez; James, Disasi, Silva, Colwill; Caicedo, Fernandez, Gallagher; Palmer, Jackson, Sterling.
Manchester City XI: Ederson; Dias, Ake, Gvardiol; Walker, Rodri, Kovacic, Doku; Silva, Alvarez; Haaland.
How to watch Chelsea vs Man City?
14:35 , Mike Jones
Chelsea vs Manchester City is due to kick off at 4.30pm GMT on Sunday 12 November at Stamford Bridge.
Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the match live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League, with coverage due to begin at 4pm GMT. Subscribers can stream the action via Sky Go.
If you’re travelling abroad and want to watch major sporting events, you might need a VPN to unblock your streaming app. Our VPN roundup is here to help: get great deals on the best VPNs in the market. Viewers using a VPN need to make sure that they comply with any local regulations where they are, and also with the terms of their service provider.
Chelsea vs Manchester City
14:30 , Mike Jones
Good afternoon and welcome to The Independent’s coverage of Sunday’s Premier League action between Chelsea and Manchester City.
Today’s encounter should be an interesting one with the Blues coming into the match off the back of a 4-1 victory over Tottenham whose title challenge against Man City is stalling. Another victory for Mauricio Pochettino’s men today will send them up the eighth in the league and continue their charge towards the European places.
For City, they’re looking to cement their advantage at the top of the Premier League. They are currently first, level on points with Arsenal but have a game in hand. Should they beat Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, Pep Guardiola’s men will open up a three point lead at the top and will be very difficult to chase down.
We’ll have all the updates, team news and match action throughout the afternoon so stick around as we build up to kick off…
