Cole Palmer netted a hat-trick as Chelsea defeated Manchester United in a seven-goal thriller on Thursday night.
Premier League
Result: Chelsea 4-3 Manchester United
Date: 04 April 2024
Venue: Stamford Bridge
Erik ten Hag recalled Antony, Harry Maguire and Casemiro after the draw with Brentford, with Marcus Rashford, Scott McTominay and Victor Lindelof (injured) dropping out.
The Blues got off to the perfect start when captain Conor Gallagher found the back of the net with a first-time finish from Malo Gusto's deflected cross after just four minutes.
The home side were then awarded a penalty in the 18th minute when Antony brought down Marc Cucurella in the box. Cole Palmer stepped up and calmly slotted home from 12-yards to double the lead.
Despite the disappointing start, the Red Devils got a goal back in the 34th minute when Alejandro Garnacho pounced on a poor back-pass by Moiss Caicedo and raced clear before slotting past Djorde Petrovic.
Four minutes later, United were back on level terms as Diogo Dalot did well to pick out Bruno Fernandes who sent a fine header into the far corner for his fifth league goal of the season.
The second half continued in similar fashion to the first, with Fernandes squandering a big chances to put United ahead on 53 minutes after blazing over the crossbar with only Petrovic to beat.
Ten Hag looked to improve the situation with a double change soon after as Jonny Evans, who replaced Raphael Varane, came off injured for Kambwala while Rashford replaced Rasmus Hojlund.
The away side completed the turnaround in the 66th minute when Antony turned provider with a superb cross for Garnacho, who nodded home from close range to complete his brace.
Pochettino responded with a couple changes of his own for the final 15 minutes, as Raheem Sterling and Carney Chukwuemeka hoping to get the home side back on level terms.
With time running out, Chelsea were afforded a lifeline after being awarded a penalty for Diogo Dalot's foul on Noni Madueke, which allowed Palmer to step up and convert for the equaliser.
Chelsea went on to get the winning goal in the 101st minute after Palmer took advantage of a United defence that went to sleep from a quick corner and fired past Onana via a deflection.
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