5 Talking points from Chelsea vs Manchester United

When Chelsea hosted Manchester United last weekend, a high-intensity, dramatic encounter was anticipated and that's exactly what Premier League followers got. The Blues were to be victorious with a 1-0 victory in a game which was always expected to be a tightly-contested, defensive masterclass.

Here are five key talking points from the match-up between the reigning champions and Mourinho's Red Devils...

1) Morata's Diffidence

On the surface, Alvaro Morata's performance looked as impressive and routine as always, however the former Real Madrid forward ultimately lacked confidence in his game across the ninety minutes.

The Spanish International lost possession of the ball several times and grew increasingly frustrated with his performance as the game progressed. There were multiple occasions in the second half where Morata struggled with the ball at his feet, despite being in free space.

This severe lack of confidence surfaced perhaps as a result of the six game goal-drought which preceded the match. Blues fans will hope that finding the winner in this game will give Morata the confidence to push on from here-on-in.

2) Conte: The Sagacious Man

Widely renowned as energetic and dynamic on the touchline, Antonio Conte is among the best when it comes to meticulous team planning.

Prior to the game, Brazilian defender David Luiz was in a poor run of form and Conte took the initiative to replace the popular centre-half with Andreas Christenen. The young Dane impressed by restricting Romelu Lukaku's movement in the final third and nullifying United's threat going forward as a whole.

Full-back Azpilicueta linked well with Chelsea's middle-men and the active pressing system put in place by Conte resulted in frequent losses of possession by United. Moreover, despite Chelsea leading the game in the final quarter, Conte ensured that Chelsea continued to play and not merely sit back and defend, highlighting that the team is more attacking-orientated than many may think.

3) Raw Rashford?

Marcus Rashford showed he is still a long way from the final product

Throughout the course of the season, United may have proven serious league-contenders but, as this game outlined, the Red Devils still have problems going forward. Marcus Rashford is still very much one of the hottest young prospects in world football but he has continuously struggled in terms of his end product in the final third.

It was evidenced in this encounter yet again and the English international also failed to exhibit any dominance in physical situations, where he was easily out-performed by Chelsea's back-line and shot-stopper Thibaut Courtois.

French international Anthony Martial was left out in place of Rashford for this game, despite having scored four goals in the league this term. Martial could've provided United with more width going forward than Rashford did and the latter still has a lot to do to improve his game as a whole.

4) Hazard back to his best?

Hazard has impressed consistently this season

As he has done in many games previously, Belgium starlet Eden Hazard proved why he is the best the Blues have at their disposal. Following his ankle injury earlier this year, there were fears around Stamford Bridge that Hazard would not return to his former best but after this game, such concerns were truly put to bed.

Hazard's link-up play between midfielders such as Cesc Fabregas and frontman Alvaro Morata was exceptional and the forward was imperative in Chelsea maintaining possession and pressing the United backline throughout the full game.

Hazard tested De Gea from distance in the first half and was brimming with confidence all game long. Consequently, Chelsea's title charge will undoubtedly be severely boosted by his return this season.

5) Mourinho ‘s respect

Chelsea Press Conference

For United fans, viewing Mourinho as anything other than a former-blue can be a challenge and there's no doubting that the Portuguese gaffer still has a special place in the hearts of the Stamford Bridge faithful.

Prior to the game, it is believed Mourinho met up with some of his former players in the Blues dugout, whilst his name seemed to be sung by both sets of fans at different periods of the game. It is clear therefore that Mourinho remains a respected figure in the game, regardless of where he's coaching.