Chelsea 0 – 2 Manchester United; Game Recap

1st Half

A very open half as each team attacked when possessing the ball. The game saw two early and bad turnovers by Eric Bailly which really put the defense and David De Gea under pressure.

In the opening minutes, Chelsea had two great strikes that sailed just wide by Willian and Reece James.

The game started open and exciting, but it was stopped briefly as N’Golo Kante was forced off in the tenth minute due to injury. Mason Mount replaced him.

United’s only attempt in the first twenty minutes came on an excellent give and go with Bruno Fernandes and Fred. The attack ended with a Fred blocked shot, but the creativity was excellent.

VAR was used in the 21st minute to decide if Harry Maguire should have seen red for kicking Batshuayi while the two players were falling to the ground just out of bounds.  VAR ruled no violent contact so United avoided a nightmare scenario. It looked like a red to me.

Throughout the half, Chelsea was able to harass United frequently putting their defenders under pressure forcing turnovers. United was often going sideways or backward to avoid the pressure.

Off of one of those turnovers, Chelsea worked a throw-in around the field which saw Pedro feed Mount into the box. Unfortunately for the Blues, Batshuayi fired an excellent pull back pass wide of the goal. A great opportunity wasted and Batshuayi’s expression displayed that.

Moments later, Bruno took one of his trademark long shots from about 30 yards out. The shot flew high and wide.

In the 35th minute, Willian earned a yellow card for simulation. Bruno did stick a leg out, but the play is right on the margin. You could make a case that Willian jumped to avoid contact.

A minute later saw United with a great chance. Anthony Martial was running free at defenders in the box, but his shot drifted wide of the goal causing no threat to the keeper.

In a half that never slowed down, Chelsea had the better scoring opportunities. Their defense and pressure were equally threatening. The game always felt like a goal was coming.

And in so, in the 44th minute, Aaron Wan-Bissaka worked down the right side of the field against Willian. He was able to produce an excellent cross into the box that Martial got on the other end of. Rising above Andreas Christensen, Martial headed the ball beautifully into the back corner.

In a half that didn’t disappoint, United took a 1-0 lead to the dressing room. Chelsea would have thought they’d be up, but it United capitalized on their opportunities.

2nd Half

The second half mirrored the first in its intensity. Both teams again pressed, attacked and moved with intent.

In a game that was physical, Chelsea’s Antonio Rudiger picked up a yellow on a soft body check to Bruno to open the half. Being in the middle of the field probably assisted in the issuing of the yellow.

The opening ten minutes saw Chelsea miss good opportunities, but that ended in the 55th minute. Or not so fast said VAR. Chelsea thought Kurt Zouma kicked in an inviting cross off a corner, but VAR ruled Cesar Azpilicueta pushed Brandon Williams causing the space for Zouma to attack the ball. It looks like VAR got that one right.

A few fouls broke up an otherwise fast-paced game. United took a free kick off the foot of Bruno on one of the free kicks. The shot hit the near post.

With the game flowing again United earned a corner and a goal in the 65th minute. Bruno crossed it in while Maguire headed it home perfectly. 2-0 United.

The last 20 minutes saw much of the same kind of football. Both sides continued to attack and press really well. Chelsea continued to miss opportunities.

Chelsea seemed to have a great chance and a goal until VAR called offside. A great play by Chelsea was a fraction offside by Olivier Giroud. Another great chance came when Mateo Kovacic was in on De Gea, but a flying last-ditch tackle by Bailly broke the play up.

United managed one great chance in injury time as debut substitute Odion Ighalo almost scored a dream goal. Fred slipped him into the box, but the keeper closed really well blocking the chance.

Late in the game, United avoided another nightmare situation while Chelsea took a free-kick. Mount hit a perfectly placed ball low that pinged the near post at great pace. While De Gea got across and dove at it the dive appeared to have injured his shoulder area, but he stayed on finished the last few minutes.

Fans were treated to an excellent game. Each club showed determination to win while hurting the other in the race for the top four. In the end, United converted their opportunities while earning another clean sheet.

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