Soccer / chelsea vs man utd

Chelsea were held to a 1-1 draw on Sunday at Stamford Bridge by Manchester United, who played their first Premier League game since the ousting of former Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at the helms, following a poor run of results. Jadon Sancho, against the run of play gave the visitors the lead, capitalizing on a howler by Jorginho, before the Italian restituted himself by converting a second half penalty to earn a draw for the Blues. Having sealed top spot in their group in the Champions League and with Manchester City breathing down their neck, Thomas Tuchel made two changes to his team from midweek, both of which were enforced. Ben Chilwell and N'Golo Kante were substituted in the match against Juventus and were a doubt for this game, ultimately missing out. Marcos Alonso and Ruben Loftus Cheek were drafted in as their replacements. Taking charge of his first Premier League game in an interim capacity, Michael Carrick made three changes to his team, one of which was enforced. Harry Maguire was suspended, following his red card against Watford and he was replaced by Eric Bailly. The biggest call from the changes was Carrick's decision to start Cristiano Ronaldo from the bench, one that generated mixed reactions. As expected, Chelsea started on the front foot and wasted no time to stamp their authority. Hakim Ziyech got past Bailly almost easily and let one go at goal, but his effort didn't trouble David de Gea, who made a comfortable save. Less than 60 seconds after that chance, Callum Hudson-Odoi went again when he was played through by Alonso. Aaron Wan Bissaka missed the interception, allowing Hudson-Odoi through on goal, but De Gea's feet were up to make the save. Carrick opted for a midfield trip of Scott McTominay, Fred and Nemanja Matic, a formation that seemed like a cautious approach by the former United star. With Manchester United preferring to sit deep in their own half and seeing less of the ball, Chelsea continued to probe as they were still unable to break down their visitors, resulting to long range efforts. One of those long range efforts almost yielded in the 31st minute when the United defence kept withdrawing, allowing Antonio Rudiger a lot of space. The German defender released a ranger from about 30 yards out, which was heading for the top corner, only to be denied by the frame of goal. Bruno Fernandes almost cost his team with a sloppy pass at the back as he tried to switch play from the left, but his pass was intercepted by Hudson-Odoi, who attacked the United defence. His efforts, however, was a comfortable save for De Gea. De Gea had to be on the alert just before the break when a cross from Reece James bounced awkwardly, but the goalkeeper was able to turn it out of danger. Five minutes after the restart, the visitors went ahead against the run of play. A Chelsea corner was well cleared by the Manchester United defence. Jorginho was the last man, who tried to control the high clearance when he could have preferably headed back towards the United half. He poorly controlled the ball, which fell to the arriving Sancho. He took on the ball towards goal and despite having Marcus Rashford as support, the former Borussia Dortmund star went alone and did well to dummy Edouard Mendy with his body to slot in at the far post. Timo Werner would have been left wondering how he had not drawn his team level eight minutes after going behind, when a deflected Alonso cross fell to him and he just had to hit the target from close range, which he failed to do. The hosts were rewarded with a goal from the penalty spot when Wan Bissaka kicked Thiago Silva with an outstretched leg in the box. Jorginho stepped up to slot home, sending De Gea the wrong way and redeem himself from the earlier howler. As the game wore into the closing stages, Wan Bissaka also turned hero when he blocked a Timo Werner goal-bound effort. With three minutes left of the 90, Mendy almost threw away all the good work as his pass out from the straight into Fred almost at the edge of the Chelsea box. The Brazilian tried to lob the ball into the net, but could only manage it into the palms of the goalkeeper, who must have heaved a sigh of relief. Then came the final moment of the game when Christian Pulisic clipped a cross into the far post where Rudiger was arriving unmarked, who hit a one-time shot, but couldn't control his effort on target. That would have been a contender for goal of the season. Concluding Thoughts Despite not being a vintage performance from Manchester United, it was a game well executed according to plan as the sought to go compact and cautious. An unbeaten record it still stands for Michael Carrick in what was his final game with the imminent arrival of Ralph Ragnick. He won a very crucial game in Spain against Villarreal and earned a draw against high-flying Chelsea. The former England international also looked to have brought the best out of Jadon Sancho, who before now had not been at his best. The England international as since scored his first goals in the Champions League and Premier League. Chelsea still sit atop the Premier League table, but their lead has been cut to just one point, after been level on point with second place Manchester City, who played earlier. The Blues continue their search for a first win against Manchester United in 8 Premier league games, having lost 3 and drawn 5.