On Saturday, February 17, tensions ran high as Manchester City found themselves aggrieved by the referee’s decision not to award a handball against Chelsea, resulting in a thrilling but ultimately frustrating encounter at the Etihad Stadium. Despite their best efforts, the Cityzens dropped two crucial points in a match filled with drama and missed opportunities.
The game saw Raheem Sterling, once a beloved figure at City, score against his former club, giving Chelsea the lead after a swift counterattack. Mauricio Pochettino’s side showcased their attacking prowess throughout, creating numerous chances and putting City’s defense under constant pressure. However, their inability to capitalize on these opportunities meant they had to settle for a draw.
Erling Haaland, City’s leading scorer, will rue his missed chance to snatch victory in the dying moments of the game. His failure to convert a clear opportunity compounded City’s frustration, only to be somewhat salvaged by Rodri’s late equalizer, courtesy of a fortuitous deflection off Trevor Chalobah.
The most contentious moment of the match came towards the end when City players vehemently argued for a handball against Chelsea defender Colwill in the box. Despite the clear contact between Colwill’s arm and the ball, referee Andy Madley chose to disregard the incident after a VAR review, much to City’s dismay.
According to the regulations set by the International Football Association Board (IFAB), a handball offense occurs when a player deliberately handles the ball or makes their body unnaturally bigger to block the ball. However, in Colwill’s case, his arms were close to his body, and there was no deliberate attempt to control the ball with his hand.
As the dust settles on this contentious draw, Manchester City find themselves in fourth place, trailing league leaders Liverpool by four points. Pep Guardiola’s side will now turn their focus to their upcoming Premier League clash against Brentford at home. Meanwhile, Chelsea will shift their attention to the Carabao Cup final against Liverpool on February 25.
Away from the on-field action, a notable incident involved an altercation between Enzo Fernandez and Nicolas Jackson following the match, adding further intrigue to an already eventful encounter.
