Unbelievable scenes in Stamford Bridge as Chelsea came back from a 2-3 losing position to overcome Manchester United 4-3 on Thursday, April 4, 2024 at Stamford Bridge in the English Premier League.
This was an absolute cracker of a game with Cole Palmer scoring a hatrick for the boys in blue.
Chelsea led 2-0 in the first 30 minutes of the game with goals from Conor Gallagher and Cole Palmer scoring with a penalty after Marc Cucurella was fouled by Antony in the Manchester United penalty box.
The game looked like smooth sailing from then on for Chelsea but things took a dramatic turn with a quick reply goal from Alejandro Garnacho after a horrible back pass mistake from Chelsea midfielder, Moises Caicedo to make it 2-1.
That goal gave some hope and renewed energy to Manchester United who quickly capitalized on the momentum to score another with a brilliant header from their captain, Bruno Fernandez to make it 2-2 in the 39th minute.
The second half saw a sustained attacking play from Chelsea which exposed their backline. Manchester United took advantage of this lapse by putting a pass across to their young Argentinian winger, Alejandro Garnacho who cleverly headed the ball past the on rushing Chelsea goalkeeper Petrovic, to make the scores 2-3 in the 67th minute, in favor of Manchester United.
Chelsea fans started getting impatient with many eyes firmly on Coach Maurico Pochettino, on the Chelsea bench.
A couple of changes were made by Pochettino to try and revive the game for the home team who seemed destined to lose yet another important game at home.
Raheem Sterling and Chukwuemeka came on for Mykhailo Mudric and Nicholas Jackson.
The substitution did not seem to do the trick.
Chalobah and Gilchrist, two defenders came in for Axel Disasi and Benoit Badiashile to tighten up the leaky Chelsea defence. Extra time of 8 minutes was added to the game
The breakthrough for Chelsea came after substitute Noni Maduekwe won a penalty in the extra time of the game. Cole Palmer gently slotted in the goal to make it 3-3.
Now the real drama started after Chelsea won a corner kick. The ball was played to Cole Palmer, who took a shot which beat Onana in goal for Manchester United after a horrible deflection left Onana helpless. The ball sailed into the net to the horror of the Manchester United players and bench.
Final scoreline 4-3.
The star of the show was definitely Cole Palmer. The young Englishman literally save the job of Mauricio Pochettino. If Chelsea had gone on to lose this game, the sack calls for the coach would have been unending.
