Haaland’s nightmare of defenses, Doku borders on the ridiculous… the tops and the flops

2023-11-12 21:34:46

Haaland scored twice, Doku had a complicated evening. AFP / GLYN KIRK / News Images / Panoramic / Conor Molloy/News Images

In a game with a Dantesque scenario at Stamford Bridge, the teams of Guardiola and Pochetino parted back to back at the end of an eight-goal match.

TOPS

Haaland terrorizes England defenses

If you whisper his name into the ears of Premier League defenders, and indeed many European clubs, it will probably be enough to give most of them nightmares. Since his arrival at Manchester City, Erling Haaland has become a specialist in making opposing rearguards tremble. Sometimes criticized across the Channel for his lack of impact in big matches, the cyborg responded in the best possible way by scoring his 16th and 17th goals of the season, all in 16 matches. A monstrous ratio, worthy of a recent second place in the Ballon d’Or. He opened the scoring in the 25th minute, with a penalty that he himself had obtained. Then he gave his team the advantage again, after an excellent cross from Foden (47th) after returning from the locker room. The boss of the Citizen attack.

Former Skyblues in success

It’s not uncommon to see players put up exceptional performances against their former team, and this match was no exception. Holder on the left wing of the offensive quartet concocted by Pochetino, Raheem Sterling was a constant danger for the opposing defense. Scorer in the 37th minute to allow his team to lead for the first and only time in the match, he was subsequently the launching pad for many of the Blues’ chances. As for Cole Palmer, the Chelsea right winger showed mental steel at the end of the match. In the 94th minute, the Manchester City-trained player assumed his responsibilities to take the equalizing penalty. An unstoppable kick, while Ederson had started on the right side. He remembered the good memories of Pep Guardiola.

Rodri, the man of big events

Author of the only goal in the Champions League final last season, Rodri Hernandez will end up becoming a specialist in decisive achievements. Against Chelsea, the Spanish midfielder scored his third league goal of the current year, but was also, as usual, the master of play for Manchester City. A true control tower, he returned all the balls to his teammates, won his duels and was not stingy with perfect crosses. A new benchmark match for the strong man of Pep Guardiola.

FLOPS

Chelsea fail at Stamford Bridge

Although Blues supporters attended a great football match on this twelfth day of the Premier League, the regulars at Stamford Bridge are not accustomed to doing so. Worse still, if Chelsea travel rather well, Mauricio Pochetino’s men cannot do it at home. After this new draw, it has now been more than seven months, and a victory against Leeds, since the Blues have won in their garden in the championship. If they want to look further into the rankings, Disasi’s teammates will have to correct this anomaly.

Gvardiol came through

In an eight-goal game, it’s no surprise that a defender appears in this category. In difficulty throughout the match, Gvardiol never seemed to get into his match. In difficulty when restarting, the right defender was directly responsible for the Blues’ second goal. On a deep pass from Reece James, the Croatian international deflected the ball for the Chelsea full-back, who, happy to see the leather return to his feet, was able to send a caviar to Sterling. In attack, the former Leipzig player was far too discreet, only too rarely providing a solution by overflowing. A complicated part for the one who usually animates his right side so well.

Doku brought nothing

Unlike his partners at the front of the Skyeblues attack, Jérémy Doku was in great difficulty throughout the meeting. Faced with a Reece James in great form, the former Rennais systematically came up against the Blues captain. A mediocre game, enhanced by a ridiculous simulation which did not escape the referee of the match, synonymous with a yellow card (56th). Pep Guardiola made no mistake, and chose to remove the Belgian winger in favor of Jack Grealish, who was much more active until the end of the match.