- Manchester United beat Chelsea 2-1 on Wednesday night at Old Trafford to move up to sixth in the Premier League table
- Scott McTominay scored both goals for the Red Devils in a chaotic encounter
Manchester United beat Chelsea 2-1 on Wednesday night at Old Trafford to move up to sixth in the Premier League table. Scott McTominay scored both goals for the Red Devils in a chaotic encounter as they bounced back from defeat at Newcastle.
The hosts dominated the opening period and had their first goal when McTominay finished from a rebound after Harry Maguire’s shot was blocked. They failed to take a few changes afterwards and were made to pay before the break when Cole Palmer equalized for Chelsea with a beautifully taken goal. The 21-year-old collected Mykhailo Mudryk’s pass and glided across the edge of the penalty area before thumping home.
Manchester United beat Chelsea 2-1 at Old Trafford to ease pressure on Erik ten Hag. Photo/ Football365.
United did restore their lead again after the break through Scott McTominay (69), who scored a close-range header from Alejandro Garnacho‘s cross.
Just like Manchester United, Chelsea failed to convert several golden opportunities, with Mykhailo Mudryk and Nicolas Jackson being particularly wasteful. Enzo Fernandez missed a late chance to equalize for the visitors and, in stoppage time, substitute Armando Broja headed Reece James’ cross against the bar.
Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes had missed a penalty earlier in the game but he will be forgiven as his side emerged victorious.
The Red Devils’ victory over Chelsea cut through the noise surrounding the club to finally earn a first point and win of the season against an opponent in the top half of the Premier League. They are just three points off the top four and face Bournemouth next.
On the other hand, Mauricio Pochettino‘s side slipped even further away from the business end of the table and will be facing Everton this weekend.
How Manchester United Beat Chelsea
Erik ten Hag made four changes to his team, including leaving out Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial who could have been dangerous in such an open game. Mauricio Pochettino, on the other hand, made two changes, replacing the suspended Conor Gallagher with Cole Palmer and introducing Marc Cucurella in defence for Benoit Badiashile.
Manchester United badly needed a performance after the defeat to Newcastle United during the weekend. They started brightly against Chelsea and were awarded a penalty in the opening minutes of the game after Enzo Fernandez caught Anthony in the box.
Fernandes’ poor penalty was kept out by Robert Sanchez and Garnacho fired the rebound over the bar. The Argentine, who was brilliant on the left wing from the start, had another opportunity a few minutes after Bruno’s penalty miss but he failed to convert.
Chelsea then came close to opening the scoring but Mykhailo Mudryk spurned the opportunity in an increasingly frenetic opening. Eventually, it was the hosts who found the back of the net first in the 19th minute through Scott McTominay. The midfielder fired home a rebound after Maguire’s shot was blocked.
Scott McTominay scored a brace against Chelsea last night. Photo/ iNews.
McTominay had an opportunity to increase his side’s lead before the break but planted a free header straight at Robert Sanchez. Andre Onana made a brave stop at the feet of Nicolas Jackson afterwards before Mudryk fired wide from a promising position.
Chelsea fans eventually had a reason to celebrate just before half time when Cole Palmer worked space in the box and slid the ball into the bottom corner. Both teams made changes at the break on their defensive line and there was more discipline being shown.
Nevertheless, chances still came and it was Scott McTominay who made the difference in the match with his header in the 69th minute. The Blues’s search for a win at Old Trafford continues in a stretch that dates back to May 2013.
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