Chelsea Thrash Man United in a Hands-Down Proper Beat-Down
Perhaps Man United thought they could get a reprieve after spending weeks off the top four of the EPL but Chelsea showed them who's boss
Perhaps Man United thought they could get a reprieve after spending weeks off the top four of the EPL but Chelsea showed them who's boss in yesterday's head-to-head at Stamford Bridge.
Strong Start for Man United
The game started with Chelsea taking an early lead in the fourth minute thanks to Conor Gallagher's tentative sharpness at the fore. The goal was Gallagher's third this Premier League season. United, on their part, weren't a team to back down.
Garnacho Brace
Man United's Alejandro Garnacho quickly gave ‘The Blues’ a run for their money by scoring a brace 30 minutes later. Garnacho, as if now activated by the ire of Chelsea fans, put in his first fantastically in the 34th minute, before making it a brace in the 67th minute. Bruno Fernandes had by this time scored United’s second, putting in an impressive header in the 39th minute.
No United, We Got You!
Even then Chelsea had already been two ahead thanks to Cole Palmer who slotted in a penalty in the 19th minute, perhaps giving United a sign of things to come. The penalty also marked yet another 'unclean sheet' for United's keeper Andre Onana who's still yet to save against a penalty in the EPL.
Cole Palmer Brace
Palmer wasn't at all done, having now scored his first and went on to convert another penalty in 90 + 10’, before quickly putting in his third in 90 + 11’. Palmer is playing so well that we see him becoming the next Didier Drogba for Chelsea.
Oh VAR.. Why?!
The second penalty against United got most fans up in arms as it occurred after Diogo Dalot slipped and fell, bringing down Chelsea's Noni Madueke. VAR did its thing and there went a second penalty that Cole Palmer ate.
What was even more fascinating was how he quickly came back to add another, effectively slamming the 3-3 tie at the time and making it 4-3 in favor of Chelsea.
Gone with the Wind
At the end of normal time, United seemed like the team to bag the three points and were 3-2 ahead. But then an entire 8 minutes were added on and Noni Madueke subbed in replacing Conor Gallagher.
Madueke and the wind he blew onto the pitch on his way in brought with it the downfall for United as he was quickly brought down, giving Palmer a chance for a brace - later going on to get his smarts to give him a well-deserved super impressive hat trick.
Will United Recover from their Terrible Form?
I don't see it happening. Despite new developments in the club’s management, Man United is still flailing. Things are so bad that we can see players like Antony fall to the ground and in tears after losing to Chelsea.
New Found Form for Chelsea?
Chelsea, on the other hand, seem to have found an edge but I still don't think the form will last. To me, their success against United is a blip and even though I stand corrected, I still feel that Mauricio Pochettino needs to do more to bring Chelsea where they deserve to be - top four of the English Premier League.
Manchester United and Chelsea's PL Standings after EPL Matchday 31
Man United remain sixth in the EPL Table, still with 48 points as Chelsea climb a step to tenth place now with a meager 43 points. Both teams are still doing so badly that we think they both need interventions to bring up some real progress.
