Chelsea and Manchester City did battle in the Sunday afternoon sun at Stamford Bridge, and Gary Neville spotted a “furious” Cole Palmer during the first half.
Much of the talk before the game had been about what had happened off the pitch. Enzo Fernández’s ban has been the talk of the town, and the Argentine midfielder was watching from the bench again.
Fernández even had to put on some sunglasses while Rosenior sported only a T-shirt as the two sides did battle. For much of the first half, Chelsea had the better of the play. Marc Cucurella had a goal disallowed.
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A fraction offside, but a correct decision. With Mikel Arteta likely to be watching on, Chelsea took the game to Pep Guardiola’s side. But Cole Palmer was “fuming” during the first 45, according to Gary Neville.
Gary Neville agrees with Cole Palmer as Chelsea star angry
It seems Rosenior has listened to advice from Paul Merson and watched Thomas Tuchel speak to the media during the break. Two games since the break, Palmer has started as a no.10 in both matches.
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Beforehand, he was starting as a right-sided winger. Whether that be because Estevao was injured is unclear, but having returned from the break, Palmer has started both matches in attacking midfield.
But there was one incident early on, in which Palmer turned Ballon d’Or winner Rodri inside out and the Spaniard was left with no choice but to pull him back. But referee Chris Kavanagh did not award a yellow.
During his role as co-commentator on Sky Sports, Neville said Palmer was not impressed: “Cole Palmer is furious and he has the right to be. That’s a standard yellow card, poor from the referee.”
Rob Green agrees, Palmer was right to be angry at Kavanagh
It was a bit of a surprise not to see Rodri awarded a yellow. While it might have just been a yellow, it was a key battle on the pitch. An early yellow for Rodri would have allowed Palmer to thrive in the 10 role.
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Rodri would have had to do his job at an arm’s length, not diving in. Instead, Kavanagh chose not to give a yellow. Like Neville, former Chelsea goalkeeper Rob Green was just as perplexed with the decision.
“Palmer was the wrong side of Rodri there and he pulls the shirt. It’s a yellow card. I don’t understand how the referee has not given a yellow card there. That is a perfect example of one,” Green said on BBC Sport.
Chelsea needed a win to reduce the gap on Liverpool to one point, after Arne Slot’s side secured a home win over Fulham on Saturday. The race for Champions League football goes on, with six games to play.
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