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Chelsea beat Manchester United 4-3 in one of the best games of the 2023-24 Premier League season on Thursday night.
The Blues and the Red Devils played out a breathtaking classic Premier League game at Stamford Bridge.
It was a night of comebacks as United came from two goals down to lead 3-2. Chelsea then responded with two late goals to win the vintage encounter.
Conor Gallagher opened scoring in the fourth minute with a well-taken shot before compatriot Cole Palmer scored from the spot.
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The Red Devils score three straight goals in perfect response against Chelsea
However, Manchester United responded well with Alejandro Garnacho pulling one back four minutes past the half-hour mark. A costly mistake by Moises Caicedo gifted Garnacho the opportunity to run through on goal albeit pressure from Benoît Badiashile.
The goal lifted the spirit of United with the earlier ‘shy’ Antony bursting forward with gusto, spraying concise, well-timed passes.
It was a brilliant move from the Brazilian that eventually pulled the strings for the shocking equaliser. Bruno Fernandes headed in Diogo Dalot’s brilliant cross when left free. Obviously, Chelsea’s defense switched off for both goals but that wouldn’t matter to United faithfuls.
Both teams went into the halftime break level at 2-2. Immediately after the resumption, veteran Johnny Evans replaced Raphael Varane to make his 150th Premier League appearance for United. This is across his two spells for the 2008 Champions League winners.
Some twenty minutes later, Marcus Rashford was introduced in place of the ineffective and quiet Rasmus Højlund.
And then in the 67th minute, Garnacho and Antony combined for a great finish that put United in front.
The former Ajax winger raced down the wing before releasing an inch-perfect trivela cross for Garnacho to score. Erik ten Hag’s boys led 3-2 from then till stoppage time. It was an incredible comeback and turnaround witnessed at the Bridge.
Chelsea make it 3-3, then 4-3 against Manchester United
Deep into stoppage time, when a lot of fans had thought the Blues were heading for a home defeat, Chelsea won another penalty.
Substitute Noni Madueke was brought down in the six-yard area by Dalot. Meanwhile, the referee’s decision to award the spot kick stood after a VAR review.
Cole ‘Cold’ Palmer stepped up as usual to dispatch his penalty into the net and make it 3-3.
Just about a minute later, the unthinkable happened. Chelsea scored another with Palmer grabbing his hattrick and of course, the match winner. The goal sent the home crowd into wild jubilation with Chelsea’s bench blown into some ecstatic celebration.
Chelsea hero Cole Palmer having the season of his life after downing Manchester United
Palmer’s addition to the Chelsea squad at the start of the campaign has bolstered the team. Even in the darkest of days for the West London club, Palmer always stand out.
His performances have been nothing short of amazing. Palmer’s eye-catching displays are a big reason he has been nominated for the March Premier League Player of the Month.
Both Ten Hag and Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino have disagreed with each other over the outcome. While the former Ajax gaffer thinks his team deserved to win, Pochettino believes Chelsea merited the victory.
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