RAHEEM STERLING came back to haunt his former club as he showed why he deserves a place in the England squad.
Chelsea’s wait for a home win continues but they showed great heart and desire to fight back to equalise on three occasions.
Sterling was at his scintillating best as he terrorised Kyle Walker and the City defence, while also chipping in with a goal to give his side a first half lead.
His omission from Gareth Southgate’s latest England squad raised a few eyebrows this week, and today proved why.
He posed a threat every time he picked up the ball and he now has five goals this season.
Nicolas Jackson added to his hat-trick against Tottenham on Monday with a great poacher’s goal, while Conor Gallagher also impressed with a hand in two of Chelsea’s four goals.
The England international was the pick of Chelsea’s midfielders as Moises Caicedo failed to impact the match.
Robert Sanchez kept Blues in it with several smart saves and could do little about three of City’s four goals.
Here is how SunSport’s Kealan Hughes rated the Chelsea display in a thrilling 4-4 draw.
Robert Sanchez – 7
Pulled off a brilliant save low down to his left to deny Haaland who had a clear shot at goal.
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Could do nothing about City’s first two goals or Rodri’s deflected strike but will be unhappy that he could not palm away Julian Alvarez’s cross as Haaland bundled in City’s third.
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Reece James – 7
The Chelsea captain was up against the in-form and lightning quick Jeremy Doku and kept the Belgian quiet.
Came very close to scoring when his free-kick was tipped over by Ederson.
Alex Disasi – 6
Poor anticipation meant he failed to cut out Alvarez’s low cross which Haaland scored from.
Also did not cover himself in glory for City’s equaliser, though his centre-back partner was perhaps more at fault.
Thiago Silva – 6
Scored Chelsea’s first equaliser with a brilliant glancing header so gets an extra mark for that.
Got caught out of position as he left Akanji in acres of space to head in City’s equaliser and it was his cruel deflection that gave City their late winner from Rodri’s strike.
Marc Cucurella – 6
Came in for the injured Levi Colwill and looked assured at left-back up against Phil Foden.
However he loses a mark for pulling down Haaland in the box, with the striker netting the resulting penalty.
Enzo Fernandez – 6
Was neat and tidy on the ball but failed to give his side control of the game as the visitors dictated the tempo.
Taken off just after the hour mark which was a surprise given he was more involved than Caicedo.
Conor Gallagher – 7
Covered a lot of ground in midfield and was tidy in possession despite City’s pressing.
Whipped in a brilliant corner that Silva scored from and it was his long-range effort that resulted in Jackson’s goal.
Moises Caicedo – 5
Quiet and did not know how to deal with Manuel Akanji’s runs from deep, which often meant the Chelsea midfield was overrun.
Chelsea needed him to win the ball back in midfield but he found that difficult up against Bernardo Silva and Alvarez.
Cole Palmer – 7
His clever pass teed up James to cross for Sterling’s goal but he should have had a goal of his own after he missed from point-blank range following a dazzling run into the box.
His decision-making let him down on occasions and for a player of his quality he did not have enough of an influence on the match.
But he showed amazing compsure for his young age as he buried a last-minute penalty to win a point for the Blues.
Raheem Sterling – 9
Looked threatening every time he got the ball as City players backed off in fear.
Put Chelsea in front with a deserved goal and was at the heart of everything Chelsea did well going forward.
Nicolas Jackson – 6
Was anonymous for large spells but came up with the goods for the second game running as he reacted quickest to fire home a rebound following Gallagher’s strike.
He was energetic in attack but his final touch or pass let him down when he got the ball in the box more often than not.
Subs
Mykhailo Mudryk (for Fernandez, 64mins) – 5
Poor touch let him down again and he was barely involved.
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Malo Gusto (for James, 64mins) – 6
Had a big impact with his pace and energy but he lacked composure in the box when he fired over with a chance he ought to have buried.
Armando Broja (for Caicedo, 90mins) – 7
Was not on for long but he made the desired impact as he won the penalty for Chelsea’s last-minute equaliser.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
