Palmer's double in added time sealed Chelsea's 4-3 victory against Manchester United | first division

From joy to despair and now this, manchester united They have certainly shown their addiction to drama in recent weeks; His is the story that keeps on giving. If the FA Cup victory over Liverpool had given their fans a rosy glow for what seemed like weeks, the nature of Saturday's draw at Brentford was the definition of a reality check. In a crowded field, was it the worst performance of your chaotic season?

The last installment was barely believable. From despair to joy and vice versa – harshly – in a single game; It felt like the death of your first division season, Chelsea's delight runs amok at the end.

Cole Palmer aside, the home team were brittle for much of the night, unconvincing, and yet they not only took a 2-0 lead, it could have been three. United did not panic. It was all part of the show. And it was Antonio, often the villain, who helped change things.

After Alejandro Garnacho had unfortunately punished Chelsea Defending the 2-1, Antony participated in the preparation of Bruno Fernandes' equalizer. And it was Antony who would produce the wonderful cross after a quick United counter-attack to make it 3-2, Garnacho nodding in the rebound. Garnacho was also impressive.

Game over? You are welcome. This is United. This was Palmer too. After Chelsea substitute Noni Madueke won a penalty in the 7th minute of added time, with Diogo Dalot falling behind, there was no doubt that Palmer would score from the penalty spot, as he had done before for 2 minutes. -0.

A winner in the 101st minute? It was ridiculous, but Palmer made it happen when no one in red followed him around a fast corner and he fired home with the help of a deflection from United substitute Scott McTominay.

The teams had started in 12th and sixth place respectively, a far cry from when this was one of the games of the season, the main pre-match preview showing which Chelsea and which United would appear. Nobody knew. They have been tremendously unpredictable.

At least Ten Hag had been able to name a recognizable central defense from the start, Raphaël Varane passing a fitness test to step in alongside Harry Maguire, with Lisandro Martínez and Victor Lindelöf out and Jonny Evans barely training. He still featured square pegs in round holes. On the other hand, when a club does not have a specialized and suitable left back, it will be enough.

Aware of Palmer's threat on Chelsea's right, Ten Hag asked Diogo Dalot to fill the problematic position. But when he was sucked inside and Kobbie Mainoo lost possession early on, Chelsea could see a huge space to exploit. How they did it. Enzo Fernández worked the ball up there for Malo Gusto and, when he crossed low, the ball came off Varane's heel and there was Conor Gallagher to sweep past André Onana. Casemiro took a while to come out to close Gallagher.

It was impossible to ignore the great selection decision, that of Ten Hag to exclude Marcus Rashford from his starting eleven. “Rotation,” the coach had called it, thinking about Sunday's clash at Old Trafford against Liverpool. It was easy to delve into the reasons, starting with Rashford's decision. no-show at Brentford. On the other hand, he wasn't the only United player to go missing in action.

Antonio started in his place and seemed determined. He blinked in the first 15 minutes. And then he made a mistake inside his own area, attempting a tackle on Marc Cucurella when he was on the wrong side and would probably never get the ball. Cucurella, who had exchanged passes with Mykhailo Mudryk, was too cute for Antony. The contact was minimal but when he fell it looked like a penalty. Palmer, who had heard the “City reject” chants from the United fans, was never going to miss from the spot and enjoyed his celebrations.

Palmer was a threat. There were times when he tormented Dalot with his twinkling toes and his sliding movements. Casemiro's lack of mobility at the base of United's midfield was a big problem and Chelsea announced the 3-0 goal, specifically when Axel Disasi entered unmarked at the far post to receive a free kick from Gallagher. He deviated uselessly from the objective.

Defensive fragility was not the exclusive domain of United and it was a moment of horror from Moisés Caicedo that brought the visitors back into it. After Antony, who did not let his head fall after the penalty, had done well to keep a Fernandes cut in play, Caicedo tried to go straight to Benoît Badiashile and only found Garnacho. He ran away to finish.

After Fernandez made a good save from Onana at the other end, United got back to 2-2. Chelsea's marking at the far post was non-existent and, when Dalot crossed, Fernandes guided his header. He was wild, full of thrills and spills, and there was time before the interval for Gallagher to smash a shot against the near post after Casemiro had lost the ball and Palmer surged forward once again.

What was that about United's central defensive pairing? Varane had sensed something before Gallagher's chance at the end of the first half, unable to chase it, and did not reappear in the second half, replaced by Evans. Incredibly (or maybe not), Evans would only last until the 66th minute. Willy Kambwala came in to replace him.

The action failed from start to finish. Chelsea pushed Palmer, who was almost unplayable. United were dangerous on the counterattack; There were times when they ran through Chelsea with almost embarrassing ease. Maguire fired a high shot, Fernandes another when he was gloriously placed. Rasmus Højlund was denied by a Disasi challenge after more loose passes from Chelsea. Casemiro headed high after a corner.

Palmer had extended Onana with a curler, but it was United who looked the more likely goalscorers. When they took the lead, shortly after Ten Hag had introduced Rashford for Højlund, it was all down to Antony's desire and ingenuity. He had won the ball to bring about the break and it was his glorious cross from outside the boot that propelled Garnacho past Djordje Petrovic.