Chelsea 0-1 Manchester United: Reds earn successful smash and grab at Stamford Bridge
Manchester United claim a huge three points at Stamford Bridge thanks to a 44th-minute combination from Matheus Cunha and Bruno Fernandes, completing the league double against Chelsea.
The match also marked the first clean sheet for the Reds in almost two months.
Manchester United spent the second half of the match under siege from Chelsea as the hosts dominated possession, shots, corners and touches in the opposition box.
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Twice, Chelsea were sent back to the woodwork, first in the 56th minute and then again in the 67th minute. Both attempts were similar as a whipped ball from the right side would find the waiting headers of Liam Delap and Wesley Fofana respectively.
Meanwhile, United didn’t offer much on the offensive end, seemingly content to just defend.
On the counter in the 52nd minute, Cunha played a smart backheel to Fernandes who ran onto the ball before firing a curling shot from outside the penalty area. The Chelsea goalkeeper dived towards him, but the ball went wide of the far post.
United almost doubled their advantage thanks to friendly fire from Chelsea. A forced turnover in the 65th minute saw Fernandes with the ball at the top of the box. He played a pass towards Cunha which was deflected by a Chelsea defender towards goal. The ball hung precariously in the air with a spin, forcing an unexpected save from the Chelsea keeper.
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The Reds went into the first half with the advantage thanks to Bruno Fernandes who set up Matheus Cunha for the opening goal. The goal marked Fernandes’ 18th assist of the season and Cunha’s 10th goal of the season.
After Fofana had to temporarily leave the field for treatment, United seized the opportunity in the 44th minute. Bryan Mbeumo sent a ball to Fernandes on the right wing, and the midfielder carried the ball to the touchline. Fernandes returned a cross into the box which Cunha ran onto.
Unlike a similar opportunity in the 25th minute that saw Cunha hit heavily and spill a scoring chance, Cunha unleashed a laser shot to break the deadlock.
Chelsea had the lion’s share of the first half with 57% possession, and they had their moments to make the game uncomfortable for United.
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In the 10th minute, Cole Palmer collected the ball first at the top of the United penalty area as Ayden Heaven and Luke Shaw both made contact with the striker. VAR took a look but it was judged that no foul occurred in the penalty area.
United were fortunate not to go a goal down in the 33rd minute after Enzo Fernandez managed to maintain possession in the box following a challenge. He had enough space to quickly curl a shot that beat Senne Lammens but fortunately went just wide of the far post.
Fernandez had another chance five minutes later, firing a shot from outside the area that was saved by Lammens but deflected by the keeper’s hands. Palmer collected the ball and passed it to Liam Delap who tapped the ball into the net. However, the linesman overturned the score as Palmer was ruled offside when Fernandez took the first shot.
United return home on Monday April 27 to host seventh-placed Brentford, who are on an interesting run of form with five consecutive draws. This match will be crucial for the two teams who will compete for their place in European competitions next season.
