It is all over, what a win for Chelsea and Antonio Conte. Big blow to Manchester United’s title hopes, falling eight points behind leaders Manchester City.
This result could provide a big impact in the Premier League title race and Manchester United have work to do. They sit eight points behind Manchester City and now have to look over their shoulders, with Tottenham and Chelsea right behind them and providing plenty of pressure. November will be a crucial month for the Red Devils.
There was a lot of pressure on Antonio Conte heading into this game but his side have responded in superb fashion. The victory means Chelsea are three points clear of Liverpool, Arsenal and Burnley in the race for a top-four finish. Crucially though, they’re now just a single point behind Tottenham and Manchester United.
What a header from the Spaniard! Morata header in the 55th minutes has given Chelsea lead over Man Utd at Stamford Bridge. Morata powers in header from Azpilicueta’s deep cross.
It’s been coming and Chelsea finally take the lead. Azpilicueta launches a ball towards Morata and the Spaniard, under no pressure from the Manchester United defenders, heads into the top corner past his compatriot De Gea- his seventh Premier League goal of the season.
A superb ball from Azpilicueta. Morata had plenty of space but he had to be found and the ball from the defender was spot on.
Asked if it was his most important goal for Chelsea, Alvaro Morata told Sky Sport; “For sure.”It is important that we won. We had a very good chance today to come back to winning ways. We are happy now with the international break we can go with three points.”
Meanwhile, Jose Mourinho takes the positives from his side’s current position of second in the league. In the post match interview he said, Manchester United are in a better position than 18 other teams in the league,
“It was an even match. Both teams could win. The first to score would be in more defensive control and to win the match.
“The first half was really even. In the second half in the only period where they were on top of the game, they scored.
“It frustrates us to concede a goal in this situation. We lost ourselves after the goal emotionally. We found again the balance and desire in the last 15 to 20 minutes. It was all us. We had big chances to equalise but we couldn’t,” he said.
‘Happy’ Conte was pleased with the handwork and spirit of the Chelsea players. He told Sky Sports that; “It’s an important victory. When you play against Manchester United it’s always a massive game. We know very well this team is very strong. This type of win is important for our confidence. We showed great desire and passion to win this kind of game.
“We can win or lose but our spirit must be this. Last season our spirit was in every game – we started this season with a lot of problems. We were up and down. This game showed if we want we can.”
He was asked if David Luiz has a future at Chelsea: “I don’t know. He has to work really hard otherwise they are on the bench or in the stand.”
Substitution
Mkhitaryan, who’s been a passenger throughout, is the first man sacrificed as Anthony Martial takes his place. Chelsea forced all the way back to Courtois after their own corner but they remain the better side here.
Fellaini is the second man on, with Phil Jones sacrificed. It suggests a tactical change for the visitors, who could now set-up in a 4-3-3.
Big opportunities already have been wasted with Rashford’s miss and spectacular Phil Jones own goal chalked off for push by Morata in the first half.
Match statistics has it that Chelsea leads with 56.6% possession and Machester United has 43.4% in the first 45 minutes
But, It has been a frantic opening 25 minutes, but it has settled down a little bit now and Chelsea are starting to monopolise possession.
The balance seems to be good in this Chelsea side today. Bakayoko and Fabregas have been let off the leash with Kante back and Herrera has got a massive job on his hands to keep control in that area.
Read what the two managers said before the match
And Chelsea manager Antonio Conte said Leaving David Luiz out) is a tactical decision. There is Andreas Christensen in good form and we have Ethan Ampadu who is a good, young player at the club.
“We are conceding many goals so you have to find stability and solidity. We have to be patient with the team and defend in the right way.
“Manchester United is a really good team they will want to win, like us. We have to try playing our football and be focused from the start to the end.”
Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho left it open saying anything can happen in the match “The same team as against Tottenham shows I was pleased with the performance but we do not have many other options for this game. We tried to prepare the team best we could and we are ready for a big match.
“When you have one bad result, this is what happens at a big club. People that work at big clubs, they are used to it and know how to cope with the pressure. That is what we did after losing against Huddersfield and we managed to get results. Chelsea are not at all affected by the defeat against Roma.
“We have to respect big players individually. I would be very happy if Chelsea does not care about Romelu Lukaku, Marcus Rashford or Henrikh Mkhitaryan. They will be trying to win the match but also thinking about them. We are going to try to win the match but Eden Hazard, Alvaro Morata, do not deserve respect? We would be in trouble.
“I expect a big match, difficult for both teams trying to win and respecting their opponents.
