Chelsea 0-2 Manchester United: Hits and Flops | Premier League 2019-20

The race for UEFA Champions League football in the 2019-20 Premier League season was made even more exciting on Monday night as Manchester United inflicted a 2-0 defeat on fourth-placed Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. Goals from Anthony Martial and Harry Maguire were enough to see United move up to seventh in an increasingly tight table. The Red Devils now just three points behind Chelsea, who also have Sheffield United and Tottenham Hotspur breathing down their necks.

Frank Lampard’s side, who were without a win in their last three league games, were looking to make amends for a heavy 4-0 defeat at Old Trafford on the opening day of the season. However, their plans were dealt a serious blow before kick-off as top scorer Tammy Abraham was ruled out due to injury with Michy Batshuayi taking his place in the starting eleven. With Willy Caballero once again given a run out in goal over Kepa, this was The Blues’ oldest Premier League team this season at an average of 28 years and 171 days. For the visitors, Bruno Fernandes retained his starting position, fellow January arrival Odion Ighalo was on the bench, and Eric Bailly made his first competitive appearance since April last year - a 1-1 draw with Chelsea.

What was meant to be the last game of the new staggered winter break saw an energetic opening disrupted by an early injury to Chelsea midfielder N'Golo Kante, who had to be replaced by Mason Mount with ten minutes played. While both sides looked fairly fit and full of running, the extended break from football was evident as the killer instinct in the final third seemed to be lacking. In fact, the first shot on target from either team came in the 45th minute and brought about the first goal, with Anthony Martial getting the jump on Andreas Christensen to flick Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s superb cross past Caballero into the Chelsea net. United’s first goal in the league since they put four past Norwich on January 11 could scarcely have come at a better time.

The hosts had reason to be aggrieved by the events of the first half - Kante’s injury and Martial’s goal sandwiched several missed chances (from Batshuayi in particular), a booking for diving for Willian, and a VAR check for a red card against Maguire that went the way of the United skipper.

United edged ahead in a close first half at Stamford Bridge

The home side started the second half on the front foot, with United seeming content to sit back, soak up the pressure, and hit on the counter. Their strategy appeared to have backfired soon after the restart as half time substitute Kurt Zouma restored parity from a corner, only for VAR to disallow the goal after spotting Cesar Azpilicueta’s push on Brandon Williams in the build-up. Chelsea were unable to build on their early momentum, however, and Martial’s goal remained the only effort on target as the clock ticked past the hour mark.

Having seen off Chelsea’s opening salvo, United stepped up a gear and started to create a few opportunities of their own. Bruno once again showed glimpses of his undeniable quality, striking the post from a close-range free-kick out on the left before his corner was powerfully headed home by Maguire to double the visitors’ lead. It was the United skipper’s first Premier League goal for his new side, and United fans will be eager to see more of the same from him.

Two Chelsea goals were ruled out by VAR

VAR denied Chelsea yet again soon after, as substitute Olivier Giroud’s deft diving header at the end of an incisive Chelsea move was ruled out for offside. Mount matched Bruno’s free-kick off the near post with one of his own, but Chelsea’s best efforts to find a route back into the game were rebuffed time and again on a frustrating night. In fact, they could have fallen further behind had United’s other new signing Odion Ighalo, who made a late substitute appearance, been able to poke the ball past Caballero after being sent through on goal.

The final whistle signalled United’s first-ever double over Chelsea in the Premier League era and set the stage for a riveting run-in with 12 games to go. As the focus for both teams now shifts to their respective mid-week European commitments, here are the hits and flops from Stamford Bridge.

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#5 Hit: Mateo Kovacic

Kovacic was one of the few positives Chelsea can take from this match

Kovacic was one of a few bright sparks on a largely frustrating night for Chelsea, with the midfielder putting in an energetic and purposeful performance. He was heavily involved in the opening exchanges, racking up the most successful passes, most opposition-half passes, most touches, most clearances, and most possession wins for Chelsea in the first half.

The Croatian also popped up in attacking positions as his side chased the game in the second half, with one clear chance denied by an excellent last-ditch tackle by Eric Bailly. Kovacic has really come into his own since making his loan move from Real Madrid permanent and will be an integral part of Chelsea’s Champions League campaign and push for a top-four finish in the league.

#4 Flop: Michy Batshuayi

Michy Batshuayi was quite wasteful in front of goal

With Tammy Abraham not able to feature, this was Michy Batshuayi’s chance to prove to his manager that he deserved more minutes, but the Belgian failed to capitalise.

Despite getting into several good positions in front of the United goal, Batshuayi misfired all night before being replaced by Olivier Giroud in the second half.

While there is no denying that the Belgian is good for a fair few goals over the season, his profligacy in front of goal might adversely affect his playing time going forward.

#3 Hit: Manchester United’s central defenders

United's back line put on a commanding defensive display

Reverting to a 3-5-2 seems to be Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s preferred tactic when United come up against a so-called “big” team and the Norwegian’s decision to deploy three at the back in this tie paid off big time. The Red Devils set up with Eric Bailly and Luke Shaw either side of Harry Maguire, with Wan-Bissaka and Williams pushing up in the wing-back role.

Bailly, who was making his first league appearance of the season, seemed like he had never been gone, putting in one of his trademark all-action performances, capped off by a brilliant sliding tackle to deny Mateo Kovacic late on.

On the other side of the back three, Shaw seems to have reinvented himself as the left-sided center back in a back three, displaying astute defensive positioning skills and snuffing out several potential dangerous opportunities. In the middle, Maguire was calm and authoratative, marshaling Batshuayi well and even popping up with a great offensive header.

#2 Flop: Chelsea’s central defenders

Chelsea's defenders faltered at key intervals

Like United, Chelsea also played three central defenders, albeit their decision to do so was forced upon them by an unfortunate injury.

On a night when shots on target were few and far between, Chelsea’s central defenders faltered at crucial intervals that eventually led to Untied’s goals. Andreas Christensen, whom Martial beat in the air to score the first goal, had collided with the French striker a few minutes prior and received a bloody nose for his troubles.

His replacement at half time, Kurt Zouma, had a goal ruled out by VAR but was booked later on for a small fracas following a tackle he put in on Martial. The Blues’ most experienced defender, Antonio Rudiger, also lost an aerial battle that led to a goal, as the German was beaten to the ball by Maguire for United’s second.

Frank Lampard will be concerned about his side’s leaky defence, and a return for Fikayo Tomori seems to be on the cards.

#1 Hit: Aaron Wan-Bissaka

Wan-Bissaka put in a good shift down United's right flank

While many have praised Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s superb tackling ability (and rightly so!) he has had a few detractors highlighting a lack of offensive contributions.

The former Crystal Palace man seems to have been working on the attacking side of his game off late and can be found in advanced positions with increasing regularity. It was his superb cross that Martial headed home for the opener, and the full-back was a constant menace to Azpilicueta and Willian down United’s right flank all night.

Wan-Bissaka’s new-found attacking instinct has not detracted from his defensive displays, as he put in a few of his signature sliding tackles to break up more than a few of Chelsea’s attacks down his flank.