VAR rubbing Man City as Erling Haaland goal disallowed for an offside

In what proved to be a controversial and action-packed Premier League clash, Manchester City and Chelsea battled to a 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge, with the spotlight once again falling on VAR after a disallowed Erling Haaland goal left City fans fuming.

The match began with both teams exhibiting their attacking prowess. Chelsea, buoyed by their home crowd, pressed high and forced Manchester City into early defensive errors. Raheem Sterling, facing his former team, was instrumental in creating chances down the flanks, testing City’s backline led by Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol.

Manchester City, as expected, dominated possession, but Chelsea’s counter-attacks were a constant threat. The breakthrough came in the 23rd minute when Chelsea’s Enzo Fernández played a sublime through ball to Nicolas Jackson, who slotted past Ederson with precision to give the Blues a 1-0 lead.

City responded almost immediately, with Jack Grealish and Bernardo Silva orchestrating moves in the midfield. Erling Haaland, who was heavily marked by Thiago Silva and Levi Colwill, managed to wriggle free in the 32nd minute to meet a Kevin De Bruyne cross, but his header went agonizingly wide.

The equalizer eventually came in the 40th minute when Phil Foden, introduced earlier due to an injury to Mateo Kovacic, combined brilliantly with Julian Alvarez. The Argentine forward’s deft touch set up Foden, who rifled a low shot past Robert Sánchez to make it 1-1 before halftime.

The second half began with Chelsea trying to regain control, but Manchester City shifted gears. Haaland, who had been relatively quiet in the first half, thought he had given City the lead in the 60th minute. A clever one-two with Grealish saw Haaland race past Chelsea’s defense and slot the ball into the net. However, VAR intervened, ruling Haaland marginally offside, sparking outrage among City players and fans.

Pep Guardiola, animated as ever on the touchline, was visibly frustrated by the decision. Replays showed the offside call to be incredibly tight, and the debate about VAR’s consistency resurfaced as chants of discontent echoed around the stadium.

Chelsea capitalized on City’s frustration and came close to taking the lead in the 75th minute. A blistering counter-attack saw Sterling break free, only to be denied by a world-class save from Ederson. Moments later, a Ben Chilwell corner found Levi Colwill, whose header hit the crossbar, leaving Chelsea fans with their heads in their hands.

The final 15 minutes were a testament to the intensity of Premier League football. Both teams pushed for a winner, with Guardiola introducing Riyad Mahrez and Nathan Ake to add fresh legs. Chelsea countered by bringing on Armando Broja and Marc Cucurella to bolster their efforts.

In the dying moments, City had a golden opportunity when De Bruyne whipped in a free kick, finding Haaland unmarked. The Norwegian’s powerful header, however, was tipped over the bar by Sánchez in what was undoubtedly the save of the match.

As the final whistle blew, both teams were left reflecting on missed chances and what could have been. For Chelsea, it was a point gained against the reigning champions, showcasing their resilience and tactical discipline under Mauricio Pochettino. For City, the disallowed goal will undoubtedly be a talking point, with Guardiola emphasizing post-match that “these decisions can change the course of the season.”

This draw leaves Manchester City clinging to their lead at the top of the table, but their advantage could shrink depending on the weekend’s results. Chelsea, meanwhile, remain in the hunt for a top-four finish, buoyed by their spirited performance against one of Europe’s most formidable teams.

In a league as competitive as the Premier League, every moment matters, and this game served as a reminder of football’s unpredictable and, at times, contentious nature. While the result was shared, the narratives and emotions it generated will linger far longer.