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A Ross Barkley 96th minute goal maintained Chelsea's unbeaten start to the season in a game that finished 2-2. Antonio Rudiger opened the scoring for the hosts but a brace from the in-form Martial brought Manchester United back in it. In the end, it was points shared by both sides.
As predicted by all learned footballing minds, the hosts began the outing with possession on the ball and movement off it. The Blues tried various passages of play to break a rather packed yet well-organised United back line.
The first realistic chance of the half came when Hazard was fouled by former teammate Nemanja Matic right at the edge of the box. However, Willian lifted his shot well over the frame of goal. As far as the visitors were concerned, a free-kick that fell kindly to Smalling was all they could boast in front of goal.
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The first half saw little threat to either glove men, but Chelsea clearly were the better side. Not many chances were awarded and it fairly seemed to be working for Mourinho, apart from the moment they let in the goal. Willian's fine corner into the box met Rudiger, who skipped past his marker and buried the header past De Gea.
In the same period, the Red Devils were anything but deadly. Although they stuck to their plans to a certain extent, Lukaku and co. lacked incision and boldness at the higher end of the pitch.
The second half saw the same tempo from the home side until a period of sustained possession from United led to the leveller. A shot from outside the box deflected off Jorginho and fell kindly to Martial, who could do no wrong.
Moments later, Luiz had a lot to aim at when he ran past his marker, but couldn't find the right connection. As a result, his header was off target.
Martial struck a second, a well-taken right-footed shot drilled past Arrizabalaga. However, substitute Ross Barkley scored his second in as many games to salvage a point for Sarri and maintain Chelsea's unbeaten start to the league. The ball was floated into the box and met Luiz, who struck the post. Rudiger followed up but De Gea made a stellar save from three yards out. However, the ball fell to Barkley, who tucked home the equalizer.
Here are 5 players who underwent contrasting expeditions in the draw between Chelsea and Manchester United.
#5 Flop: Paul Pogba
In a simple sentence, Pogba's display can be summed up as a performance played in fits and starts. Firstly, he completely switched off when Rudiger ran off his back cleverly and gave United a mountain to climb by scoring the opener. The Frenchman was well in front of the German, but the latter tricked his marker and left him in no man's land. No wonder Pogba was bouncing up and down the ground after the error.
For the rest of the first half, he played just alongside Matic and struggled to move it forward. There was almost nothing to show from his side in the higher thirds of the pitch. Defensively too, he was just at an average point.
In the second 45, the World Cup winner stamped his authority a bit more, but only for about 15-20 minutes. During that time, it looked like Pogba controlled the game single-handedly.
It almost seems as though, prior to a match, he goes out saying, "I'll play like a world class player only when I want to."
#4 Hit: Antonio Rudiger
Rudiger raised a few eyebrows when Sarri mentioned in his press conference that the German would be available for the mouth-watering encounter. The former AS Roma defender was withdrawn from the national squad due to a groin injury.
However, he came into this match straight into the playing XI and served the home fans with a delightful bullet header. Moreover, he showed composure in front of goal, found the right connection and got his goal.
Speaking of his defensive work, Rudiger was astute with his analysis of the runners United possessed. He matched to the pace of Rashford and the strength of Lukaku. He wasn't to be blamed for the opponent's goals. All in all, the 25-year-old put in a good shift at the back, won the aerial duels, covered ground quickly and played it out from the back extremely well.
#3 Flop: David Luiz
"It only takes a moment in football", they said. Well said.
David Luiz proved why 90 minutes of concentration and excellence can go in vain with just one bad decision. Yes, we are talking about Martial's second. Firstly, he was completely drawn out of position while trying to win the ball back from a well-released Juan Mata.
Next, he lost the battle in the air with the play maker. He was too loose with his challenge and as a result, Mata was set free with acres of space to exploit. The gush and urgency from an experienced campaigner such as Luiz can simply not be accepted. He started the game on a solid note, but made a mess out of it on that instance.
The 31-year-old fluffed his chance upfront too. He was completely free, with a lot to aim at when Willian's ball found him perfectly. However, he tried to convert a simply header into a flashy one and failed to find power or precision behind it.
#2 Hit: Anthony Martial
Well, is there any stopping him right now? Anthony Martial has scored three goals in his last two games and has finally found his feet this season.
First of all, his defensive contribution needs to be appreciated. He pushed himself back, stayed alert and covered up for Luke Shaw on many occasions. He approached the match much better in terms of defensive task.
When his side finally played some football in the second half, the youngster stepped up. He converted from just over 6 yards out to put the Red Devils back in it. His second was sublime. Martial cut inside a blue shirt and launched a shot remarkably past the opposition keeper. His connection and placement, both were near perfect.
Apart from his goals that almost won it for Manchester United, Martial was the best out of he front three. He was the more explosive one, the player who injected pace and a cutting edge. He ran at Azpilicueta on a consistent basis, giving him a run for his money.
#1 Flop: Alvaro Morata
Morata went wrong in all possible ways. Neither did he make runs off the ball down the channel, nor did he win 50-50 battles. Firstly, he didn't register a shot - not something that is expected from a number 9.
Second, the former Real Madrid striker failed to keep possession on many occasions. He is too delicate at times. More often than not, he looks for a cheap foul just outside the 18-yard box. Otherwise as well, the striker sucked his team's momentum out.
His movement off the ball was rather poor too. Speaking of his work rate in the air, Giroud, who played just over 15 minutes, won more aerial duels than the Spaniard.
Once again, Alvaro Morata cut a frustrated figure in front of goal. There were probably just shortcomings in his performance against the Red Devils. Sarri has shown a lot of faith in the Spaniard, but hasn't received the best of returns just yet. Many would say it's time to stop trusting him.
