Manchester United beat Chelsea 2-1 on Wednesday night in an exhilarating Premier League encounter.
The Red Devils, who hadn’t beaten a top-half side before the game, controlled long spells of the match and after a positive first half, dominated in the second period. United managed 28 shots on the night, with Scott McTominay netting popping up to score two crucial goals.
It was a frantic opening 45 at Old Trafford, one United dominated yet allowed Chelsea chances on the break due to their own sloppiness.
The Red Devils created good early openings through Bruno Fernandes, Ramus Hojlund and McTominay, and their bright start was rewarded with an eighth-minute penalty when Enzo Fernandez fouled Antony. Yet Fernandes fired his spot-kick right at Robert Sanchez.
But United bounced back well and netted in the 19th minute. Fernandes and Alejandro Garnacho combined effectively down the left with the latter centring the ball for Harry Maguire to shoot. His effort was blocked, and McTominay controlled the rebounding ball and fired it into the Chelsea goal.
He could have had another soon after but Sanchez’s reacted instinctively to keep out the header, in what was an exciting offensive display from Erik ten Hag’s side who managed an expected goals of 2.78 in the first half. Defensively it was another story though, and Chelsea found it too easy to cut through the red shirts. Mykhailo Mudryk went close twice, hitting the post on one occasion, while Andre Onana flew out to smother Nicolas Jackson’s one-on-one chance.
United didn’t heed those warnings, and just before half-time, Palmer received the ball inside the box and after a short dribble, fired an effort in between United’s centre-backs and past Onana to level proceedings.
But United were much more solid in the second period and, excluding an early Jackson header that flew over, it was the hosts creating all the chances. Garnacho cut in and shot wide, Antony saw a blocked effort spin wide and McTominay’s header was kept out by Sanchez.
But it was via McTominay’s head that United took a well-deserved lead, for the second time in the game. Maguire, Sergio Reguilon and Garnacho linked well and the latter’s pinpoint cross to the back post was turned home by McTominay. The midfielder should have had a hat-trick moments later, but failed to properly connect with his left-foot effort.
Garnacho, a constant menace down the left, was then denied a goal when Reece James scampered back and blocked his opening on the break, before the teenager fizzed a shot wide inside the box.
Chelsea did push for an equaliser with Fernandez flashing a header wide, James smashed a shot offer at the back post, while Armando Broja went closest of all when his header struck the post. United held on to a well-deserved three points, resulting in jubilant post-match scenes at Old Trafford.
Here's how we rated the United players...
1. Andre Onana- 6
Didn't have many saves to make, but did well to come out and smother Jackson's one-on-one chance in the first half.
2. Diogo Dalot- 7
Was good going forward and played some nice passes with Antony.
3. Harry Maguire- 8
Fresh from his Player of the Month accolade, Maguire defended well and made some good interceptions to prevent Chelsea attacks. He also helped United maintain their high line.
4. Victor Lindelof- 6 (off 46)
Had a relatively uneventful first half, but could have done slight better for Palmer's goal. Lindelof presumably was replaced with a knock.