Premier League leaders Chelsea held at home for a 1-1 draw by struggling Manchester United. It is the second match in a row that the European Champions are drawing at home.
It was the first Premier League match the Red Devils have played after sacking their manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. However temporary manager Michael Carrick was able to produce a resolute performance against Chelsea.
The result meant that Chelsea now only has a single point lead ahead of the second-placed Manchester City. Manchester United on the other hand was able to avoid a third successive loss in the league, but still, remain 8th in the table.
CHELSEA 1 – 1 MANCHESTER UNITED: TEAM NEWS
The Blues were forced to make multiple changes to the starting eleven, after picking up injuries in their midweek victory over Juventus in the Champions League. Ben Chilwell and N’Golo Kante both were replaced by Marcus Alonso and Ruben Loftus-Cheek.
Injury for Chilwell is particularly concerning as the left wing-back could be out for a month. Apart from the injuries, manager Thomas Tuchel also made a tactical change up front as Timo Werner came in for Christian Pulisic.
Carrick made several changes to his Manchester United side that beat Villarreal 0-2. Most notable was Cristiano Ronaldo, who alongside Anthony Martial and Donny van de Beek only made the bench. Harry Maguire also missed out due to suspension.
Marcus Rashford, Bruno Fernandes and Nemanja Matic all came into the starting eleven as United went with a 4-3-1-2 formation. Eric Bailly was the centre-back instead of Maguire. Alex Telles was able to keep his place in the team, keeping Luke Shaw away to the bench.
CHELSEA 1-1 MANCHESTER UNITED: ANALYSIS
There was a notable difference in the way Manchester United approached the game from the start. There was more pressing from the Red Devils, something that was never present during the last few months. However, Chelsea dominated the proceeding, coming close to a goal in the opening minutes.
An excellent header from Alonso, sets up Hudson-Odoi with a perfect chance, only for David De Gea to keep Chelsea from scoring. Chelsea kept piling the pressure, with the home side close to scoring with a long-range shot from Rudiger. However, it hit the bar and kept the visitors hope alive.
The second half started against the run of proceedings. A Manchester United clearance of a free-kick was not properly taken by Jorginho, who gifts the ball to incoming Jadon Sancho. As a result, Sancho and Rashford were left alone as the former made a neat finish against Mendy to give his side a lead.
The goal woke up Chelsea as they starts to put more pressure on the attack. A foul by Aaron Wan-Bissaka on Thiago Silva in the box, gave Chelsea a penalty. Jorginho made amends to his mistake as he sent De Gea the wrong way to level the game.
Fred got an easy chance when Mendy gave the ball to him by mistake. However, the Brazilian could not come up with anything as he chips it back to the goalkeepers’ hands. Rudiger also got a good chance at the final minute of the game but saw his shot flypast above the bar. Even with all their attack and possession could not finish the job, settling for a 1-1 draw.
WHAT NEXT?
Chelsea will now travel to Watford as they will hope to keep their slender lead intact. Manchester United on the other hand has a tough task as they welcome Arsenal to Old Trafford when Premier League returns midweek.
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