Chelsea and Manchester United have settled on one point a piece after the two sides each got their solitary goal in the second half of the game.
Chelsea, the hosts, were the first to pull one home courtesy of a spot kick that was converted by Brazilian Jorginho in the 87th minute. However, Chelsea’s celebrations were short-lived as another Brazilian midfield-anchor, José Casamiro, headed home an equaliser for United in the 90+3 minutes. (That was Casamiro’s first goal for United ever since he switched clubs from Real Madrid to the Carrington-based club).
Goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga clawed the ball onto a post before the ricochet crossed the line, giving United the equaliser.
The game started with United dictating the better part of the first half, as Chelsea were completely outclassed in their midfield – which was being marshalled by James, Jorginho and Loftus-Cheek. United’s new arrivals of Casamiro and Dane’s Christian Eriksen made sure that the visitors’ backline had a breathing space – allowing United’s full backs of Diogo Dalot and Luke Shaw to torment Chelsea’s defence.
Chelsea’s new manager, Graham Porter, pulled out left back, Marc Cucurella, in the 37th minute of the game, whom he replaced with Mateo Kovacic. The Croatian international seemed to be all that the blues had wanted at the heart of their midfield, as his introduction saw a great improvement in the team’s play. The first 45 minutes ended in a barren draw, but with United showing all seriousness at Chelsea’s goalmouth, as compared to United’s goal area – which was not as busy.
With the host team getting momentum (due to first half introduction of Kovacic), United’s Eric Ten Hag was also forced to make a quick change as he pulled out the colourless Jadon Sancho, and replaced him with another Brazilian midfield, Fred.
The game looked to be heading for a barren draw until Chelsea got a spot kick after Scott MacTonmy wrestled down Mateo Kovacic inside 18 yard box. Jorginho stepped forward to take the kick. He did not disappoint as he sent David De Gea to the wrong side.
As it’s their tradition (never say die mentality), United did not sit back, as they pressed even more. They launched attacks after attacks – at the dying minutes of the game. After nice cross from Luke Shaw, Casemiro sprung above everyone to nod the ball past Chelsea’s ever busy custodian, Kepa Arrizabalaga.
