Well organized, united, dangerous on the counterattack, thanks to the speed of Sterling and Jackson, in particular, Chelsea long seemed able to create a huge surprise and win at the Etihad (1-1), where a late goal from Rodri (83rd), the recurring savior of Guardiola’s team, allowed Manchester City to avoid defeat.
Suggesting that Mauricio Pochettino had finally found something, at the heart of a complicated and unstable season, the Blues showed values which will not be enough for him to return to the top 4 this season, but which carry some promise in the longer term. term.
Haaland’s missed opportunities
City obviously deserved not to lose, given their domination (70% possession, 32 shots to 9), but Erling Haaland missed several huge opportunities, from a first header (12th), from a recovery in the second post (51st), and especially a header at goal (78th), while his team was still leading.
Chelsea may even have regrets, because Jackson missed opportunities and technical gestures, as often, and because Raheem Sterling, who opened the scoring after a great collective action from Jackson and Palmer (42nd), will have missed an incredible 2-0 ball in front of Ederson (56th).
Pochettino’s coaching and the entry of Nkunku, transparent and offering neither support nor depth, will have accentuated the way in which Chelsea suffered in the end, until Rodri’s deflected left shot (83rd). If Chelsea did not play like a tenth, that remains their place, while Manchester City gave up ground, now four points behind Liverpool, but with a game in hand.
