Manchester United v Chelsea Review
Pre Match Analysis– It was third against fifth. The ‘Special One’ started Lingard, Mata and Rashford on the bench. Chelsea also had quality on the bench with Fabregas and Giroud starting on the bench. Manchester United were coming off a loss to Newcastle. It’s tough to see them challenge Manchester City for top spot, but they should obtain automatic Champions League position. They were coming into the game against Chelsea collecting just three points from a possible nine points on offer from their previous three Premier League fixtures.
First Half Analysis– Morata hit the post in just the fourth minute of play, which was followed up by a shot for Hazard that was saved by David De Gea. Willian opened the scoring with a goal in the thirty-second minute that could be classified as a goal keeping error, as David De Gea was beaten on his near post. Hazard was credited with the assist. Shortly after the goal, Alonso butchered a good opportunity for Chelsea to further increase their lead on the scoreboard. Lukaku scored an elementary goal, thanks to a brilliant assist from Martial.
Half Time Analysis– The game was in the balance at Half Time with the score locked at one all. Chelsea looked the more threatening in the final third; they were continually finding pockets of space and getting into the right channels. However, Manchester United still had quality players to bring off the bench if needed.
Second Half Analysis– Drinkwater had a good shot from outside the eighteen yard box well saved by David De Gea. Shortly after that shot on goal, the ball was down the other end of the field, with Lukaku having an exquisite volley brilliantly saved by Courtois. Chelsea were defending too deep, but they still defended doggedly. Then the inevitable happened, with Lingard breaking the deadlock thanks to an assist from Lukaku in the seventy-fifth minute. Slightly after, Morata put the ball in the back of the net, unfortunately for Chelsea he was adjudged to be offside.
Full Time Analysis– Possession stats were in favour of Chelsea, with them controlling over fifty-five percent of the possession. Chelsea also had seven shots on target to Manchester United’s five. Chelsea won four corners in contrast to Manchester United’s three. Based on the balance of play, in the First Half Chelsea warranted collecting at least a point from the game.