Cole Palmer scored twice in the final moments of stoppage time as his winning strike – and hat-trick goal – downed Man Utd
The mood in west London going into stoppage time – and at the end – could not have had a greater contrast. Chelsea’s poor season looked to have sunk to a new low as they let a comfortable lead slip with United closing in on another memorable comeback.
Pressure would’ve ramped up further on Mauricio Pochettino and Palmer’s equalising penalty looked to have kept the doubters quiet for at least a few days. His hat-trick goal though capped an incredible few moments with the character of the side earning some rare plaudits.
Chelsea knew that three points would lift them into the top half whilst United needed the win to keep alive their hopes of landing fifth spot and Champions League qualification.
It is proof of how both sides have fallen – Chelsea more so than their opponents. Pochettino’s side continues to show shoots of promise, only to be dealt reality checks regularly. United meanwhile blow hot and cold – as they proved in the first-half alone.
Cole Palmer is a Manchester City product and those in the away end at Stamford Bridge wanted to remind the playmaker that he had to leave the Etihad to further his career. He was called a “City reject” as he wandered over to take a corner – but quietened the fans in the best possible way.
Palmer, who was the standout individual throughout the contest, cooly slotted a first-half penalty to make it 2-0 and gestured to the United fans with their chants doing little to influence the Chelsea star. He had the last laugh as the clock ticked into the 99th minute. He scored a second penalty of the evening to level late on.
It has been a year to forget and, after another underwhelming display at Brentford, Rashford was resigned to a spot on the bench at Stamford Bridge. Antony was brought in to replace him with Ten Hag citing rotation as the reason to leave out the forward.
Rotation… that’s all whilst remembering Bruno Fernandes has started 29 league games this season. Tweaking his line-up was perhaps a convenient reason for leaving Rashford out as he continues to struggle for goals and overall impact. He was introduced as a second-half sub.