The lowdown on Chelsea 1 Man United 0 – Vital three points keeps top five in sight
Marc Cucurella’s fifth league goal of the campaign sealed a crucial win for Chelsea which ensures their bid for a top five finish – and Champions League football next season – remains firmly in their own hands heading into next weekend’s final fixture at Nottingham Forest.
Here is the lowdown on Friday night’s clash at the Bridge.
THE LINE-UPS
Chelsea: Sanchez, James, Tosin, Colwill, Cucurella, Caicedo, Fernandez, Pedro Neto (Gusto 90), Palmer, Madueke, George (Lavia i81). Subs not used: Jorgensen, Acheampong, Anselmino, Badiashile, Chalobah, Dewsbury-Hall
Man United: Onana, Lindelof, Maguire, Shaw (Heaven 81), Mazraoui, Casemiro (Ugarte 69), Mount (Garnacho 69), Dorgu, Diallo, Bruno Fernandes (Mainoo 81), Hojlund. Subs not used: Bayindir, Amass, Collyer, Eriksen, Fredricson
SNAPSHOT OF THE GAME
A beautiful piece of skill from Reece James – a turn inside the box and delicate floating cross – was headed home perfectly by Marc Cucurella on 71 minutes to break the deadlock.
Noni Madueke missed a chance to double the lead moments later when he scuffed the ball wide from Cole Palmer’s defence-splitting pass as the Blues deservedly edged it.
It was a game that largely flattered to deceive and was a far-cry from last season’s thrilling 4-3 home win, but still had enough incident to keep everyone invested.
The Blues had a penalty award cancelled, Reece James struck a post with a thunderbolt and Palmer’s looping first-time shot had United keeper Andre Onana stretching. United also had a Harry Maguire ‘goal’ ruled out. There was also a late pitch invader, expertly taken out by a flying steward.
TACTICAL APPROACH
Enzo Maresca boldly went with Tyrique George up front for the youngster’s first Premier League start in the absence of a suspended Nicolas Jackson. He struggled to make an impact in a bruising battle. Reece James’ return at right back freed up masked crusader Moises Caicedo for a return to that pivotal midfield role rather than that hybrid defender-midfielder detail.
The game’s key point of interest was arguably the fascinating duel between Bruno Fernandes and Caicedo. No quarter given and no hint of saving themselves for European finals to come. It was all reassuringly spiky.
The close-quarters combat included a yellow card for the United skipper for planting his studs into the Ecuadorian’s shins and there were plenty of other cards going in a typically feisty encounter between these two sides. There were six cautions for United and one for Chelsea.
STAR MAN
Moises Caicedo. Seemed to be a man on a mission. It was as if he was bearing some terrible unspeakable grudge such was the no-holds barred approach. He thundered into tackles and covered every blade of grass. He, for one, was not saving himself because of the Euro Conference final to come in Wroclaw. The protective mask he wore after picking up a slight facial injury in the defeat at Newcastle definitely did not hinder him. In fact it may be his new super power.
BEST MOMENT
Harry Maguires’ knee slide for nothing. The defender seemed to be making a point to the Matthew Harding end as he celebrated netting after 16 minutes – expertly turning in a Bruno cross like a seasoned striker. But VAR ruled the defender was offside by being just ahead of James.
MOAN OF THE MATCH
For Blues fans it was the moment VAR intervened to summon ref Chris Kavanagh to the screen after he had awarded Chelsea a penalty for what he saw as a trip on George by Andre Onana. But the revised decision was correct as the United keeper clearly got his hand to the ball. There were plenty of predictable moans directed once again at Mason Mount by unforgiving Blues fans.
TALKING POINTS DOWN THE PUB
The league table. It may have been a bumpy ride after the early season blitz subsided, but Chelsea are now one small step away from returning to European football’s top table. That upcoming World Club championship won’t be half as enticing without that achievement safely stashed away in the locker. As things stand, their better goal difference means they will just need to better Aston Villa’s result at Liverpool on the final day.
WHAT THE BOSS HAD TO SAY
Pictured top: An all-action Moises Caicedo troubles the United defence (Picture: Alamy)
