EPL champions Manchester United booked their place in next season’s European Champions League (UCL) with a home ‘OT’ win over rivals Chelsea. Casemiro, Martial, Bruno Fernandes and Rashford were on target. Chelsea’s lack of finishing left them lethargic and shaky at the back.
Manchester United won their English Premier League home match against Chelsea 4-1 at Old Trafford in Manchester, England, on 26 September.메이저사이트
With the three points, United leapfrogged Newcastle (70 points) into third place with 72 points. They now have one final game in hand. United travel to Fulham and Newcastle travel to Chelsea. Next season’s EPL will see Man City, Arsenal, Manchester United, and Newcastle compete in the European Champions League. Chelsea (43 points) remained in 12th place after failing to pick up a point.
Chelsea took the lead in the second minute when Mourinho’s shot went wide of the post. The shot went wide. Chelsea attacked early in the game. Chelsea lined up in a 4-3-3 formation. Mourinho-Haberth-Madueke up front, Gallagher-Enso Fernandez-Chukwuemeka at the back, Hall-Charlow, Fofana-Aspilicueta in goal, and Kepa in goal.
United took the lead (1-0) in the sixth minute from a set piece. Casemiro rattled the net with a header, assisted by Eriksen. United lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation. Martial up front, Sancho-Bruno Fernandez-Antony right back, Eriksen-Casemiro in defensive midfield, Shaw-Lindelof-Baran-Wanvissaka in the back four, and De Gea in goal.
United settled down after the opening goal. They dropped their entire line slightly in an attempt to contain the surging Chelsea. United brought on Rashford in the 29th minute for the injured Anthony.
Chelsea’s finishing continued to suffer. In the 32nd minute, a header from Haberth went over the bar. Chelsea also had a crucial chance in the 45th minute when Gallagher shot just wide of the post. Chelsea were too impatient.
United added another goal (2-0) in first-half stoppage time. This time, after a no-look pass from Casemiro, Martial slotted home with his left foot, assisted by Sancho. United went into halftime with a 2-0 lead. Chelsea dominated possession but were indecisive and had zero shots on target.
United took Shaw off at the start of the second half and brought on Malacia. United had the first real chance of the second half in the first minute when Bruno hit the post. Chelsea brought their entire line up to attack at the start of the second half. United, on the other hand, were able to stop the onrushing opposition in their own half and then counter-attack to find space behind the Chelsea defence.
United had the first chance of the game seven minutes into the second half when Eriksen’s shot was denied by a diving save from Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa. In need of an equaliser, Chelsea made a change in attack in the second 20 minutes, taking off Mourinho and Haberz and bringing on Pulisic and Felix as jokers. United took off Eriksen and Martial in the 25th minute, bringing on Fred and Garnacho to freshen up their midfield and attack.
United were awarded a PK in the 26th minute by Bruno. He was tripped by Fofana on a breakaway in the box and the referee pointed to the spot. Bruno converted the PK to make it 3-0. Rashford pulled one back in the 33rd minute. A poor pass from Chelsea defender Fofana was the catalyst. Rashford simply slotted home with his left foot. It was Rashford’s 17th league goal. United made it 4-0 and the game was effectively over.
Chelsea made three changes in the 36th minute, bringing on Loftus-Cheek, Ziyech, and David Fofana at the same time, but it didn’t change the tone of the game. United took off Bruno in the 41st minute and brought on McTominay to finish the game. Chelsea pulled one back in the 44th minute through Felix.
Statistics site Fourscore.com gave United’s Rashford an 8.0 rating, Bruno an 8.2, Sancho a 7.8, Casemiro an 8.1, and Eriksen a 7.1. The ratings for Chelsea players were lower. Fofana, the defender who made the fatal error, was rated 4.5, Haberz 6.1, Gallagher 5.1 and Felix 6.9.
The BBC said: ‘Man United will play in the Champions League next season. ‘Bruno Rashford’s goal sent United through to Europe’s biggest stage. Felix’s late goal made it another painful day for Chelsea. United have looked very different under Van Gaal this season. They reached the top of the Carabao Cup (League Cup). They qualified for the Champions League. And they’re in the FA Cup final against City. Former City pundit Michael Brown told BBC Radio 5 live: “United were the better team today. Chelsea had a lot of chances but couldn’t capitalise. Casemiro was the difference in the game today.”
Man of the match Bruno told Sky Sports: “It means a lot to qualify for the Champions League. It wasn’t perfect. We want more. Our fans will be happier because we are in the Champions League and (rivals) Liverpool are not. We also want to win the FA Cup. It’s a really important game,” he said.
Former Chelsea striker and pundit Hasselbaink told Sky Sports: “Chelsea looked like they were going to lose. I personally made a lot of mistakes. It keeps getting worse. Whoever comes in as the new manager is a big deal. I think it will be Pochettino.”
United boss Tenhaar told Sky Sports: “We are now in the Champions League. A result like this in the EPL is not easy. It’s huge. We wanted to win today, our players showed a good attitude. Chelsea have a lot of great players. We can finish the season in third place in the league. The next game is important. We need to be as focused as we are now. We have important games left and we want to win them.”