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Che vs MCI: Match Preview, Team News, Date & Kickoff Time
Despite a resounding derby win against Tottenham in their last outing, Chelsea acknowledges the need for improvement as they prepare to take on Manchester City this Sunday. The Blues secured a 4-1 victory in a tumultuous all-London clash, ending Tottenham’s unbeaten run. However, their performance faced criticism as they encountered nine men for a significant part of the game, only sealing the win with Nicolas Jackson’s injury-time hat-trick.
With a keen eye on Chelsea’s recent struggles, Manchester City aims for a seventh consecutive win over the London side across all competitions. City enters the clash following a dominant 6-0 victory against Bournemouth and securing a place in the Champions League knockout stages with two games to spare.
The highly anticipated Chelsea vs. Man City showdown is scheduled for a 4:30 pm GMT kick-off on Sunday, November 12, 2023, at Stamford Bridge in West London.
While grappling with one of the longest injury lists in the league, Chelsea hopes to have Armando Broja available for the weekend. Nicolas Jackson, after his standout performance against Spurs, is likely to retain his place. Levi Colwill’s halftime withdrawal against Tottenham was a tactical decision, and Mykhailo Mudryk is fit again, providing flexibility in Mauricio Pochettino’s forward line.
However, Chelsea remains without the services of Ben Chilwell, Romeo Lavia, Trevoh Chalobah, and Carney Chukwuemeka, with Christopher Nkunku not expected to make an immediate return.
Manchester City faces defensive challenges with injuries to John Stones and a late withdrawal of Manuel Akanji due to a back issue. Both are unlikely to be fit for the weekend clash. On a positive note, Erling Haaland has recovered from his ankle knock and showcased his form with two goals in the midweek fixture that confirmed City’s place in the Champions League knockout stages. Sergio Gomez and Kevin De Bruyne continue to be sidelined for City.
After missing the season due to a knee injury, Christopher Nkunku is almost ready to make his Chelsea debut. However, Mauricio Pochettino must decide where the £52 million summer acquisition will fit into an improving team. Nkunku is expected to resume full training soon and may make his debut on Saturday against Newcastle.
His absence caused Chelsea to struggle mightily during the early part of the season, as the Frenchman scored three goals in four games during the preseason tour of the United States, around which Pochettino had built his attack.
Nkunku has returned to an improving Chelsea after eight goals in two games against Tottenham and Manchester City, but he has the ability to step up this onslaught even more.
The easiest method for Nkunku to join the club is to replace Nicolas Jackson as the centre striker.
Jackson’s hat-trick against Tottenham brought his season total of goals scored in 14 games to a respectable seven.
However, he has been uneasy in games vs weaker teams and found it difficult to be the centre of attention when the opposition lined up in a low block.
An entertaining eight-goal thriller at Stamford Bridge comes to an end with both Man City and Chelsea sharing the points after a 4-4 draw.
The game took a while to catch fire, Haaland putting City ahead in the 25th minute from the spot after being hauled down by Cucurella,
Buut Chelsea responded, levelling through Thiago Silva’s header before Sterling scored against his former team to make it 2-1 to the hosts.
Back came City, though, as an unmarked Akanji restored parity with a header in first-half added time before Haaland bundled home his second of the game to put the champions 3-2 up.
Chelsea would again answer through Jackson to make it three goals apiece, but Rodri appeared to net the winner with four minutes left, firing home via a huge deflection off Thiago Silva to put City on the verge of victory.
There would be one final twist, however, as Broja came off the bench to win a penalty after being brought down by Dias before Palmer, against the club whose academy he grew up in, stepped up to fire home from the spot and earn Chelsea a point.
The result moves Chelsea up into the top half, and they will look to continue their upturn in form away at injury-hit Newcastle United next Saturday.
City miss the chance to extend their lead at the summit to three points, and they have a huge home game with Liverpool to look forward to next weekend.
Below is the final EPL Table after Today’s Matches;
In a fascinating English Premier League game on Sunday evening, Chelsea secured a hard-fought 4-4 draw against Manchester City, thanks to a stoppage-time penalty from former City player Cole Palmer.
Chelsea’s positive start was momentarily halted when Marc Cucurella fouled Erling Haaland, who confidently converted the subsequent penalty for his 12th Premier League goal of the season. Undeterred, the Londoners struck back with Thiago Silva’s header and Raheem Sterling’s goal against his former club.
The second half continued the intense action, with Haaland scoring early on. Despite key saves from Robert Sánchez, Nicolas Jackson extended Chelsea’s lead. Rodri’s goal seemed to secure the win for Manchester City, but Rúben Dias’s late foul on Armando Broja led to a dramatic stoppage-time penalty, expertly converted by Palmer.
Chelsea’s resilience maintained their positive form under Mauricio Pochettino, having lost only one of their last eight games across all competitions.
Meanwhile, Manchester City remains unbeaten in six competitive fixtures and sits atop the Premier League table.
Check out the latest Premier League Table below:
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Confirmed Chelsea line up vs Newcastle : Palmer, Jackson, Sterling Start as Nkunku seat on the bench
