Chelsea vs Manchester United: 5 Talking Points & Tactical Analysis

Ross Barkley scored the equaliser in the 95th minute for Chelsea
Ross Barkley scored the equaliser in the 95th minute for Chelsea

Manchester United and Chelsea played out a 2-2 draw at Stamford Bridge in what was a thrilling encounter in the Premier League's early kickoff on Saturday.

It was Antonio Rudiger who opened the scoring for Chelsea through what was a well-worked set-piece in the first half as he made contact with Willian's corner kick in the 21st minute.

However, United equalised just 10 minutes into the second half with Anthony Martial taking an uncontested shot on goal to make it 1-1. 18 minutes later, Martial was on the scoresheet again as United pounced on a Chelsea error to make it 2-1 in the 73rd minute.

It required a last-gasp equaliser from Ross Barkley in the 95th minute for both teams to share the spoils - a goal that also resulted in a touchline fracas between one of Sarri's staff and Jose Mourinho, leading to a brawl at the mouth of the tunnel.

Here are the major talking points from the game.


#1 Usual setup for Chelsea, United set up to counter-attack

With neither team threatening from open play, Chelsea took the lead from a set-piece
With neither team threatening from open play, Chelsea took the lead from a set-piece

When the lineups were announced, there was a buzz about how Jose Mourinho would set up United on his return to Stamford Bridge. Maurizio Sarri had set up Chelsea in their usual 4-3-3 formation with Jorginho anchoring the midfield and Alvaro Morata leading the line.

Although Mourinho had started Juan Mata, Anthony Martial, and Marcus Rashford behind Romelu Lukaku, it was in a 4-5-1 formation rather than a 4-2-3-1 formation.

They didn't necessarily "park the bus" but they were set up to contain the Blues who were always going to dominate possession (63% to 37% by full-time). Both Rashford and Martial were tucked in quite deep in an attempt to play on the counter when they won the ball back.

The tactic seemed to work defensively but wasn't of any help to United going forward. It limited their scope on counters as Rashford and Martial didn't receive much support when they did break free to make forward runs or carry the ball upfield.

It would have been a very intriguing first half had United not conceded from a set-piece. Antonio Rudiger broke free from his marker Paul Pogba and headed in Willian's cross to give the home side the lead.

That set the tone for the rest of the half with Chelsea happy to remain patient and pass the ball around to look for an opening while United still showed no signs of being able to get past a very organised Sarri side.

By the end of the first half, neither goalkeeper was ever tested and both sides together had only shot on target - the goal that separated the two teams at the break.

#2 Manchester United's strategy was to stop Eden Hazard no matter what

Nemanja Matic and Ashley Young were booked in the first half for fouls on Eden Hazard
Nemanja Matic and Ashley Young were booked in the first half for fouls on Eden Hazard

Without Pedro in the lineup and Willian playing a bit deeper than usual, it was clear that the majority of Chelsea's attacks would flow through Eden Hazard. The Belgian forward was a constant menace not only on United's right flank but also when he cut into the middle.

Without Mourinho's secret weapon in Ander Herrera to handcuff himself to Hazard and deny him any space or time on the ball, United had to take him head-on whenever he had the ball.

Sure enough, when that didn't go according to plan, the Red Devils resorted to fouling the Premier League's Golden Boot leader. In fact, Hazard was fouled three times in the opening 15 minutes!

Nemanja Matic was guilty of sticking a foot out at the edge of the box to bring Hazard down and, much to everyone's amazement, referee Mike Dean kept his cards in his pocket.

It was a cynical challenge - the so-called 'tactical foul' - meant to stop Hazard from eventually taking a shot on goal. Even Ashley Young went into the book in the first half for getting a little too close for Hazard's comfort while challenging for the ball.

#3 Paul Pogba's inconsistency a source of frustration and elation

Paul Pogba cut a frustrated figure in the first half
Paul Pogba cut a frustrated figure in the first half

As Rudiger wheeled away in celebration, Paul Pogba threw a hissy fit in the United box as he felt Victor Lindelof should have switched the man he was marking (David Luiz) to track Rudiger's run. Pogba did not read the play and Chelsea eventually scored.

That one moment perhaps justified why the captain's armband was taken away from him. And that wasn't all. The Frenchman seemed more focused on using his fancy footwork rather than finding his teammates in the first half.

But he looked a different player when the second half got underway. In fact, it was Pogba that initiated the move for United's equaliser. He had received the ball from Lukaku near the touchline and had managed to retain the ball under pressure before finding Lukaku again in space.

He seemed to have been given specific instructions at the break and he was soon commanding the game in midfield. What also helped was that Chelsea were also looking to attack, leading to more space in midfield to work with.

#4 Chelsea gift Manchester United the lead in the second half

Anthony Martial scored twice for Manchester United in the second half
Anthony Martial scored twice for Manchester United in the second half

Manchester United did not have a clear plan of attack apart from their attempts to counter in the first half. But the second half did see the players in more advanced positions as they searched for a goal.

But United had a stroke of luck with Marcos Alonso supposedly down injured in the box as play continued. The ball fell to Anthony Martial who took his shot without any pressure - two yards in front of Alonso - to score.

At 1-1, Chelsea had to attack more and the game became a lot more open. That was when David Luiz made a massive error to allow United back into the game.

As Juan Mata chased a ball down the touchline, the ball bounced high with Luiz attempting to head it into the stands. But Mata's touch denied him the opportunity and suddenly the Red Devils had a numerical advantage with Luiz taken out of the game.

Rashford received the ball and spread the play out to the other side of the box where Martial took one touch to move the ball past Cesar Azpilicueta and curl the ball into the far corner of Kepa Arrizabalaga's goal to make it 2-1 to United.

#5 Sarri needs his strikers to fire

Alvaro Morata had just one shot on target
Alvaro Morata had just one shot on target

As much as Eden Hazard has got Chelsea going this season, the same cannot be said of their strikers. Alvaro Morata has only scored twice in the Premier League this season while Olivier Giroud is yet to get off the mark.

In this game, while Morata did play as a good foil for Hazard with the constant swapping of positions to outwit the United defence, his lack of shots on goal will be a concern for Maurizio Sarri.

The Spaniard had only two shots in the entire match of which only one tame shot at David De Gea was on target. Giroud replaced him with 15 minutes to play (including stoppage time) but he, too, failed to get a single shot in the game.

Ultimately, it fell to Ross Barkley to score the equaliser in all the confusion in stoppage time as Luiz's header rebounded off the post with De Gea a mere spectator as no defender was in sight to make a block.

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Edited by Kishan Prasad
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