For the third time in one season, Manchester United have beaten Frank Lampard’s Chelsea. It’s incredible to think that a manager who’s clearly underperforming at Old Trafford has done a hattrick over the young British manager who’s ‘overachieving’ with youngsters at the Bridge. Last night’s encounter ended in a 2-0 defeat for the Blues as goals from Anthony Martial and Harry Maguire gave all three points to United.
Here’s how the Chelsea 0-2 Manchester United will impact both teams.
Impact for Chelsea: Severe
Once again, Frank Lampard’s cries from January have been justified. Throughout the window, the Blues manager was begging the powers that be to sign a centre forward, instead, there was no movement made and he was left with Michi Batshuayi, Olivier Giroud and Tammy Abraham. These are three forwards that aren’t capable of firing the Blues to a top 4 finish and one of them proved that last night.
Michi Batshuayi had several chances to break Chelsea’s duck but he squandered them much to the dismay of the home crowd. This game relayed the same narrative we’re used to seeing from Chelsea with them dominating the ball, creating a lot of chances but being unable to convert their chances. The likes of Matteo Kovačić and Jorginho had good games in stark contrast to those in front of them.
In the coming weeks, Chelsea will play Bayern Munich twice, Tottenham and Liverpool. As we’re reaching the business end of the season, one of Giroud or Batshuayi must step up as Abraham is out for the foreseeable future. If not, we could see a run of humiliating defeats for the Blues.
Impact for Manchester United: Boost
It’s becoming the norm for United to win at Stamford Bridge, having not won there for so long, they’ve now won in their past two visits. This win was especially sweet for the Red Devils as they’re in the midst of an almighty scramble for the top 4. The win takes Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men into seventh place, only three points behind Chelsea in fourth.
Having withstood Chelsea’s constant pressure for the majority of the match, United will be immensely pleased with keeping a rare clean sheet. The victory also saw new signing Bruno Fernandes register his first assist for the club as Harry Maguire headed home his corner. In a midfield three with Fred and Nemanja Matic, Fernandes found freedom in the final third and was able to spearhead many of United’s counter-attacks.
Yesterday’s game also breathed new life into Anthony Martial as he scored a real striker’s goal, leaping above Christensen to head past Caballero. With Marcus Rashford out for the foreseeable future, Martial will have to put in more performances like this if United are to finish in the top 4.
This away win has the potential to galvanise a new-look United side whilst simultaneously derailing an unravelling Chelsea team. On Sunday, the Blues welcome former boss Jose Mourinho to the Bridge, another loss could create even more tension in West London.
