Chelsea hosted Manchester United at Stamford Bridge on Thursday evening, with the Blues somehow coming out on top in one of the games of the season thanks to hat-trick hero Cole Palmer.
Conor Gallagher had given the home side a perfect start with a goal inside four minutes, before Palmer doubled the dominance from the penalty spot fifteen minutes later.
Still, the Red Devils fought back well and by half-time it was level again thanks to a five-minute double volley from the visitors, with goals including Alejandro Garnacho and Bruno Fernandes.
Antony then set up Garnacho with a stunning pass from outside the boot over the Chelsea back line for the Argentina international to head home and make it 3-2, before Palmer struck in the 100th and 101st minutes to complete a dramatic comeback made.
Here, Mail Sport’s Kieran Gill takes you through some of the stories you may have missed at Stamford Bridge.
Conor Gallagher had given Chelsea the lead in the first four minutes of the match
Alejandro Garnacho scored twice for United as the Red Devils fought back from 2-0 down to lead 3-2
But Cole Palmer struck in the 100th and 101st minutes to seal a stunning victory for Chelsea
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RASHFORD AXED AFTER CRITICISM
For the first time in 2024, Marcus Rashford was dropped for a Premier League match as Antony started on the right wing instead.
In the stadium where Arjen Robben was unstoppable in cutting in with his left foot, Antony also occasionally showed his talent for this when he led in Marc Cucurella.
Rashford’s drop followed his brother and agent, Dwaine Maynard, who hit out at Gary Neville and Rio Ferdinand for generating so-called ‘clickbait’ stories about the Manchester United forward through the Stick to Football podcast.
Neville had said there was something ‘off’ with Rashford, while Ferdinand suggested he needed the ‘right people’ around him.
Maynard responded on Instagram on Thursday: “I completely understand podcasts and how they work, but if you have genuine concerns, pick up the phone.”
Marcus Rashford was dropped from the team for the first time in 2024, while Antony started on the right
RECORD BREAKING BLUES
Chelsea are believed to have set a new record for the Premier League’s most expensive ticket by charging £5,000 per person if you want a padded seat directly behind the home team’s dugout.
For sale on their website, it was quite the asking price for a close-up of the back of Mauricio Pochettino’s head.
As well as witnessing a crackdown, those with more money than sense at least took home a signed Chelsea shirt as an added bonus to the package they bought.
WILKINS WAS UNIQUE
“They don’t make ’em like Ray anymore,” read the banner at Stamford Bridge.
It was fitting that this match between Chelsea and Manchester United fell on April 4, the anniversary of Ray Wilkins’ death in 2018.
A banner honoring Ray Wilkins was displayed at Stamford Bridge on Thursday evening
PROBLEMS OF CHELSEA’S OWN CREATION
There were six Chelsea players in the box and only two for Manchester United when Bruno Fernandes equalized, and yet he headed free.
Defensively, Pochettino’s players are not helping themselves, with £115m Moises Caicedo citing their atrocious habit of shooting themselves in the foot with that back pass.
NOT-SO-WARM WELCOME TO MOUNT
Mason Mount’s return to Stamford Bridge saw him booed by Chelsea fans. “He left because you’re s***,” went the chant at the end of Manchester United.
Much catchier than: “He left because he represented pure profit for you last summer.”
Ultimately, this was an evening to quickly forget for Mount. He came on when United were 3-2 up and left as a 4-3 loser.
Unsurprisingly, Mason Mount was booed and jeered as he walked onto the pitch
CHELSEA finalizes the purchase
Chelsea are currently in the process of completing the purchase of the Sir Oswald Stoll Mansions, which overlook Stamford Bridge.
It’s a deal believed to be worth £80 million and has sparked controversy as some veterans will be forced out of their homes, and one tenant has shown his loyalty by covering his window with Arsenal memorabilia.
OLD STADIUM PLAN IN THE DUST
Speaking of stadium news, Chelsea’s owners have kept mum on whether they want to completely rebuild Stamford Bridge, see a standby redevelopment or move to a new location.
Whichever direction they choose, the artistic designs we all saw of a Westminster Abbey-inspired stadium will likely never become a reality.
That’s because Mail Sport has learned that Herzog & de Meuron – the architects previously appointed to create a ‘cathedral of football’ by the old owner – have not heard from the club since taking over.
AN UNLIKELY TOP SCORER
Donnell McNeilly’s involvement in Chelsea’s first team training was noticeable during the international break.
The 18-year-old is under contract until 2025, but Chelsea know this is a star that needs to be tied down. His 24 goals in all competitions this season make him the club’s overall top scorer in the men’s, women’s and youth ranks.
