Chelsea 2-0 Manchester United: Blues beat 10-man United
Chelsea beat Manchester United 2-0 to move into the Premier League’s top four.
Morgan Rogers opened the scoring shortly after half-time, before Manchester United centre-back Lisandro Martinez gave away a penalty, which was converted by Chelsea’s Cole Palmer.
The result, and Martinez’s sending off, heaps even more pressure on under fire Manchester United manager Michael Carrick.
Winger Bryan Mbeumo said after the game that his side “still trust everyone”.
Martinez Mistakes Cost United:
The two sides were evenly matched for much of the first-half, with both spurning chances to take the lead.
Chelsea thought they’d taken the lead in the 15th minute when Estevao tapped a cross home at the back post on his first Premier League start of the season.
The goal was quickly ruled out for offside, however.
A longer VAR check was needed to disallow a near post header from Manchester United’s Matheus Cunha, who’d connected well with Harry Maguire’s header following a corner.
The actual opening goal came early in the second-half when Rogers broke through the United defence in the 50th minute, and chipped over goalkeeper Senne Lammens, having received the ball from Romeo Lavia in central midfield.
Rogers was involved again ten minutes later when he was brough down on the edge of the United penalty area by Martinez, with the Argentinian centre-back being booked for the incident.
Less than two minutes later, Martinez moved his arm into the face of Chelsea centre-back Wesley Fofana while defending a corner.
Referee Peter Bankes was sent to the monitor by VAR, and subsequently awarded a penalty, which was scored by Palmer, and a second yellow card for Martinez.
Carrick did not acknowledge Martinez as he left the pitch.
Estevao Experiment Proves Successful:
Chelsea once again started the game with a false nine, due to the absence of first choice striker Joao Pedro.
Unlike in last week’s defeat to Tottenham however, manager Xabi Alonso played winger Pedro Neto up front in the early stages, with the creative trio of: Rogers, Palmer, and teenager winger Estevao, directly behind.
Estevao was involved in the majority of Chelsea’s attacks in the first-half, and combined well with right-back Josh Acheampong throughout.
The Brazilian had a second goal ruled out for offside in the 71st minute, after being played through by Palmer.
Morgan Rogers said after the game that ,“In the second half, we stamped our authority and that was really good.”
United’s closest effort of the match came late on, when Mbeumo hit the crossbar from the edge of the penalty area in stoppage time.
This extends Michael Carrick’s side’s winless run to nine games in all competitions.
Player of the Match: Josh Acheampong
Bruno Fernandes’ returned to the Manchester United starting eleven in the left-wing position, directly up against Acheampong.
The young right-back restricted the United captain’s chances throughout, particularly in the second-half.
Acheampong’s forward runs also created space for Estevao to cut inside and link-up with the rest of Chelsea’s front four.
With Chelsea captain Reece James expected to be out for several months, Acheampong can expect regular first-team football.
What’s Next?:
Chelsea travel to Sunderland next Sunday for their final match before the international break.
The blues’ next home game will be against Leeds on Saturday November 21st, as Xabi Alonso’s side continue to focus entirely on the Premier League.
Manchester United meanwhile will host Roma in the Champions League on Tuesday, before Aston Villa visit Old Trafford in the Premier League next Sunday.
Their next away game will be at Anfield on Sunday November 22nd, following the international break.
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