Super League MD06 #15 Chelsea v #9 Manchester City
MCI - Kevin De Bruyne [3] 16’
CHE - Christian Pulisic [2] 40’
CHE - Christian Pulisic [3] 73’
MCI - Ilkay Gundogan [PK-1] 89’
MD06 - [15] CHELSEA V. [9] MANCHESTER CITY [2-2]
ALL TIME RECORD: MANCHESTER CITY 14 GM; 8W-2L-4D; 33-18 GF/GA
Whatever is to become of City’s campaign, they do not want to be Chelsea. Today’s match finds City uncomfortably close to the bad neighborhood in SL1 and the fastest ticket out of there is a win. Chelsea looked solid in a 1-1 draw against Bayern, but they have looked awful on occasion, as their 15th place standing would indicate.
It could have been a different time, sunny skies at Stamford Bridge, a full house, a tinge in the air of the nostalgia of championships and eternal contender status. Alas times change, all have been humbled in The League of Death, a land completely devoid of mercy.
Such it was that Kevin De Bruyne put City up 1-0 in the 16th, giving us the impression City were here for business and intended to settle matters early. But Chelsea were not in the mood to stand aside and be checked off for 3 points.
Timo Werner, who has been on fire for Chelsea, clanged one off the bar shortly after going down 0-1. It would be a portent for City, in the 40th, taking a Werner assist, Christian Pulisic fired home to equalize, beating Ederson with a near side blast.
Into the 2nd on equal terms, both clubs had opportunities, but it was Chelsea getting the better of play and converted that edge in the 70th, Captain America striking again to notch a brace and give him 3 goals on the year. More importantly, 2-1 Chelsea and City had not looked proper for some time now.
As expected City did manage to threaten an equalizer, but were largely bailed out of that responsibility by Kurt Zouma’s foul on Gabriel Jesus in the box. 89th minute and with Aguero mostly gassed, Ilkay Gundogan stepped in fired City to a 2-2 draw.
It may be nice to escape with a point but City cannot celebrate this one, it was Chelsea’s match most of the day, the foul leading to the PK was nitpicky, and it did not appear City were on there way to an equalizer unless they get that PK call.
Tough break for Chelsea, they finally seemed to have a win in hand and lost it on the flimsiest of calls, they will have to settle for another tie and go back to the drawing board. They can feel better about themselves now though, getting close versus Bayern and now City, Chelsea now need a complete match.
MD07: City host Arsenal, a must-win match; Chelsea commute to Tottenham Stadium in a difficult contest against Spurs