Chelsea 2-0 Manchester United: Rogers 50, Palmer 64 pen
Manchester United started rather brightly but in the end they made it too easy for Chelsea to grab a clean sheet and all three points. Michael Carrick’s side had enough chances to take back control of their season here at Stamford Bridge, but they failed to make the most of their first-half dominance and it proved costly.
Chelsea recovered from a poor opening 45 minutes to claim a 2-0 victory, leaving United with a third successive defeat. What now for Carrick? United have gone nine games without a win in all competitions, their worst run since the 1988-89 season. Sometimes it seems United might have hit their post-Ferguson rock bottom, but they keep inventing new ways to disappoint.
Xabi Alonso will be thrilled here. Under pressure for results before kick-off, this victory is highly welcome. He handed Estevao Willian his first Premier League start of the season. Pedro Neto led the attack in the absence of the injured Joao Pedro, and Estevao replaced him on the right. That may at least assuage some burning questions but fans will want to see more of the Brazilian teenager.
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United were the brighter side in the first period and looked likelier to score. Bruno Fernandes returned to the starting line-up and captaincy after his recent disagreement with Carrick. He joined Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha in causing problems for the Chelsea defence, who looked short of confidence.
Andrey Santos, having switched sides last summer, came close to opening the scoring when he fired narrowly wide from outside the box. Amad Diallo also tested Mike Penders, who had to make a good save to keep the visitors out.
Chelsea struggled to contain United’s movement, particularly down the flanks. Wesley Fofana had a difficult afternoon and was fortunate not to be punished when his defensive errors gave Mbeumo and Amad opportunities to score.
Fernandes also had a chance to put United ahead after a quick counterattack, but he sent Mbeumo’s pass over the crossbar. Cunha thought he had broken the deadlock when he turned the ball home from a corner, only for VAR to rule the goal out for offside.
United continued to threaten, but their wastefulness gave Chelsea a route back into the contest. The hosts had offered little going forward in the first half, although Moises Caicedo came close when his effort struck the woodwork. Neto also fired wide after Harry Maguire lost his footing.
Chelsea returned from the break with greater intent and soon found the breakthrough. A loose touch from Mbeumo in midfield allowed Caicedo to win possession before Romeo Lavia moved the ball forward. Morgan Rogers then took over and drove through the middle of the United defence.
The England international showed impressive composure as he carried the ball past several defenders before dinking it over Senne Lammens. It was a superb individual goal but United’s defending made his job much easier.
The goal changed the mood and Chelsea switched into another gear. United’s afternoon became worse when Lisandro Martinez was sent off. The defender had already been booked when he raised his arm and caught Fofana during a Chelsea corner.
The referee reviewed the incident and showed Martinez a second yellow card. Cole Palmer converted the resulting penalty to double the lead.
United had collapsed and the game was over with 25 minutes to go. At least they had some respite when VAR ruled out Estevao’s goal.
