MAN UTD 2, CHELSEA 1
Two-goal Scott McTominay helped restore a feel-good factor as Manchester United secured a morale-boosting home victory against Chelsea.
It was a vastly improved performance of pride and passion as the Reds left the Old Trafford pitch to cheers rather than jeers.
And that was epitomsed by McTominay, a player with red blood coursing through his veins having been at the club since the age of five.
Not for the first time McTominay came to the Reds’ rescue with timely goals, none more so that this brace.
It lifted United to sixth place and, amazingly, they are only three points behind reigning champions Manchester City who are third and enduring their own mini slump having not won in four games.
And United themselves have won four of their last five Premier League games, despite displays being far from convincing.
In the wake of fierce criticisms of the attitude and commitment of the players in recent games, United could not be faulted as they mustered 28 goal attempts to Chelsea’s 13.
The only concern was the failure to finish more of those openings as they were wasteful in front of goal.
While Chelsea’s performance came under scrutiny, that was more down to United’s effectiveness and the way they stopped them stamping their mark on the game.
United boss Erik ten Hag praised his side’s display, saying: “We played with style and dominated in and out of possession and the way I want to play. It was very enjoyable to watch.
“We are going in the right direction and will not be deflected by criticism around us. We are not happy always and always want to do better, but this team is capable of being successful.
“I can always have complaints, but we are pleased with the result and the performance. We deserved this.
“We wanted to send this message to the crowd but this is also our style. In the first 30 minutes we did it perfectly on the pitch.
“It was unnecessary to concede that goal. We switched off. We have steps to make. We are going in the right direction. This team will be good and this project will be good.”
Embed from Getty ImagesTen Hag also addressed the alleged dressing room unrest, explaining: “I don’t care about the noise. They are used to it. It was the same at Ajax but in a smaller country so less people.
“When you are not on top form on the day, you get beaten. You need to be at your best. When you are not, you get killed. We know that and we need the right attitude every game.”
Ten Hag also lavished praised on McTominay, adding: “He did great. he had an important role to play. He is a very good player. He stopped Chelsea with Antony.
“In possession he was very dynamic. He scored two and could have had more.”
Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino conceded his team were second best, saying: “The other team deserved the victory. It was difficult at the start. They showed massive energy. We played Sunday with one less day to prepare.
“Maybe it was difficult for us to start the game in the way we wanted. We created enough chances to be in the game. We started the second half really well but then we concede, and it is difficult.
“This type of game is difficult to assess because Manchester got one more day to recover. We need to recover players and be more competitive. We had a good victory against Brighton but now we lost.”
Marcus Rashford dropped to the bench as ten Hag made four changes to the side that started their 1-0 defeat by Newcastle on Saturday.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Kobbie Mainoo and Anthony Martial were also named among the substitutes.
Victor Lindelof, Sofyan Amrabat, Antony and Rasmus Hojlund came into the starting line-up.
Mauricio Pochettino made two alterations to the side from their 3-2 win over Brighton on Sunday.
Conor Gallagher was suspended with Cole Palmer replacing him. Meanwhile, Marc Cucurella and Reece James were available again after suspension, but the latter had to make do with a place on the bench.
Cucurella came in for Benoit Badiashile with Levi Colwill moving to centre-back.
United, who have been under such criticism and scrutiny in recent days, made a positive start.
Bruno Fernandes fired over and Hojlund forced a fine save from Robert Sanchez in a promising opening three minutes.
There was controversy when United were awarded a seventh minute penalty.
Enzo Fernandez stood on Antony’s foot, but after the ball had gone.
Referee Chris Kavanagh was alerted by VAR who sent the match official to the pitchside monitor and after viewing the incident several times pointed to the spot.
Chelsea thought their complaints were vindicated when Fernandes’ spot kick was saved by Sanchez low to his right with Hojlund firing over the rebound.
Alejandro Garnacho and Antony also had efforts saved as United remained a threat in a vibrant opening 15 minutes.
Chelsea’s only chance fell to Mykhailo Mudryk whose angled shot was blocked by keeper Andre Onana.
It was no surprise when United took the lead in the 19th minute. Harry Maguire’s initial shot was blocked by Marc Cucurella and the rebound fell to McTominay who found the bottom corner with a well-struck shot, his fifth goal of the season.
McTominay so nearly made it 2-0 when Sanchez did well to keep out his close-range header and follow-up shot.
Chelsea launched an immediate counterattack as Raheem Sterling broke and released Nicolas Jackson whose shot was well kept out by Onana.
United, utterly dominant, were stunned when Chelsea equalised in the 45th minute through former City player Palmer.
Thiago Silva and Mudryk linked to release Palmer who cut inside Lindelof before firing home a low shot from just inside the box, his fifth goal since his August transfer from the Etihad.
United made a change at the break as Lindelof was withdrawn with Reguilon taking his place.
Jackson had a great chance to put Chelsea ahead soon after the restart, but headed over from close range while Garnacho cut in from the left and bent a shot just wide.
Antony went close with a shot which deflected off Hojlund and flew wide while Luke Shaw’s effort struck the arm of Reece James with United appealing for a second spot kick.
McTominay also headed straight at Sanchez as United kept probing for a second goal.
United were ahead in the 69th minute and again it was McTominay who was the hero heading home Garnacho’s cross at the far post, but not before an anxious wait for a VAR check for a possible foul by the scorer on James.
Garnacho had a chance to make in 3-1 on the counter but James got back to make a huge block.
United’s second change with six minutes left saw Hojlund replaced by Rashford.
There was a let off in the 90th minute when Chelsea substitute Armando Broja headed against the upright from James’s deep cross to the far post.
Ten Hag brought on Jonny Evans for Garnacho in the four minutes of added time to help see out the game which he helped to do without any undue concerns.