MAN UNITED 2, CHELSEA 0
They thought it was all over – well it certainly isn’t after Manchester United beat Premier League leaders Chelsea at Old Trafford.
Far from being a title procession, Chelsea, once 10 points clear at the top, saw their lead cut to four points following recent defeats against Crystal Palace and United.
United, meanwhile, breathed new life into what had been a faltering bid for a top-four place.
Suddenly they are only four points behind fourth-placed Manchester City having played one less game as a Champions League place through their league finish remains a possibility.
After losing twice to Antonio Conte’s Chelsea this season at Stamford Bridge in the league and FA Cup, Jose Mourinho was determined not to lose for a third time to his former employers.
And there was nothing lucky about the victory, United’s first in 13 games against Chelsea, their longest winless run against any team. Their last win against them was in October 2012.
Mourinho got his tactics spot on as United extended their unbeaten run in the Premier League to 22 games, the best run in any of Europe’s top leagues.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic was rested as Marcus Rashford played down the middle. And the youngster’s pace continually unsettled David Luiz, Gary Cahill and Kurt Zouma, Chelsea’s three central defenders.
Ander Herrera man marked Edin Hazard who hardly had a kick and certainly didn’t influence the proceedings like other games this season.
And without Hazard’s heartbeat, Chelsea were never a threat as they failed to register a shot on target in the 90 minutes.
United’s manager spoke about the importance of the victory describing it as a “special performance”.
He said: “It was satisfying because, with Liverpool and Manchester City winning, if we had not won, it would have been good bye Premier League.
“Secondly we need to keep fighting because we don’t know what will happen in the Europa League which made it phenomenal.
“The leaders could be Arsenal or Tottenham, it doesn’t matter which team, but there is a good feeling to beat the team at the top.”
And he also spoke about the 22-match unbeaten run in the Premier League.
He explained: “Normally you would win the title, but we are struggling for fourth place.
“Everybody knows the reason why, too many draws at home and we are paying the price. But it is a great feeling to know we are difficult to lose a game.”
Mourinho added his side needs more quality, and a different type of quality for next season, but added this is one of the best groups of players he has worked with.
Chelsea manager Antonio Conte had no complaints saying: “We didn’t play a good game and United deserved to win.
“They had more desire, ambition and motivation and as coach it is my fault as I was not able to give the players the right ambition and motivation to win the game. It is a simple situation.
“I need to understand what was wrong today with the performance, the fault was mine”
Conte added he prefers the pressure of fighting for the title than not fighting for it like last year when they finished 10th.
“We need to play the last six games with enthusiasm and patience and, if we don’t win, then we clap another team.”
There were surprises in the line ups for both sides.
United had 28-goal Ibrahimovic on the bench after Mourinho revealed he was tired while Wayne Rooney was again ruled out through injury.
Ibrahimovic was one of four changes from the side that drew 1-1 at Anderlecht in the Europa League on Thursday.
Michael Carrick, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Sergio Romero also missed out as David De Gea, Marouane Fellaini and Herrera were recalled.
Chelsea handed a first league start of the season to Asmir Begovic after keeper Thibaut Courtois was ruled out trough an ankle injury sustained in training.
Marcos Alonso was also unwell in the warm up having been suffering from a virus so Zouma won a late call up to the starting line up.
United had the first goal attempt in the fifth minute when Luiz was dispossessed, but Rashford pulled his shot disappointingly wide.
But there was no mistake one minute when Rashford fired the Reds ahead. Nemanja Matic was robbed by Herrera whose slide-rule pass released Rashford who sprinted clear of Luis before slotting a shot low past Begovic from 10 yards for his ninth goal of the season.
Chelsea complained that Herrera handled before he provided the assist for the breakthrough goal.
United, oozing confidence, had another chance, but Ashley Young pulled his angled shot narrowly wide as Chelsea were clearly rattled.
Young was relishing joining the attack and just short of the half hour he fired wide again from the edge of the box when well placed to hit the target.
Cahill almost put through his own goal trying to cut out a Rashford cross as his header looped on to the roof of the net.
Chelsea’s first attempt at goal came on the stroke of half time when Diego Costa’s 30-yard drive flew well wide.
It got even better for United who doubled their lead within four minutes of the restart.
Young’s low cross was cleared to Herrera on the edge of the box and his shot deflected off Zouma and looped over Begovic.
Jesse Lingard then fired just over as United went for a third goal.
Chelsea’s response was to bring on Cesc Fabregas for Victor Moses while United introduced Carrick for Lingard in a bid to keep hold of the ball in the middle of the park.
Rashford, playing down the middle in the absence of Ibrahimovic, was having a stormer and he flashed a shot into the side netting. There were cheers from some parts of the ground as fans thought it was a third goal.
Chelsea made a second change midway through the half when William took over from Matic.
Rashford had another great chance when released by Fellaini. He weaved his way past Luiz before Begovic only just managed to keep out his low shot.
Both sides made changes with seven minutes left as Ibrahimovic was introduced for Rashford who left the field to a standing ovation while Chelsea brought on Ruben Loftus-Cheek for Zouma.
In the latter stages, United managed the game superbly as they never eased up to allow Chelsea a way back into the game.