Manchester United 2, Chelsea 1
Scott McTominay scored twice as Manchester United beat Chelsea after a Cole Palmer equaliser looked to be earning them a point.
It was a result just about deserved by United who looked set to share the spoils with Chelsea who equalised late in the first half through ex-City winger Cole Palmer.
United would have felt aggrieved after a dominant first half but neither side felt like they could take their chances and Chelsea threw away great chances to score through Mykhailo Mudryk and Raheem Sterling.
An early controversial VAR turned into a penalty for United after Antony was adjudged to have been fouled by Enzo Fernandez in the Chelsea box after 7 minutes.
But Robert Sanchez guessed right, diving to his right to push the ball away from Bruno Fernandes’ spot kick which was too close to the keeper and Rasmus Hojlus blazed over the rebound.
Scott McTominay opened the scoring after 19 minutes, rifling in the rebound when Harry Maguire’s initial shot was blocked by Marc Cucurella.
And McTominay had a double chance to extend that lead but was thwarted by Robert Sanchez.
Andre Onana saved crucially from Mykhailo Mudryk as the Reds had little sustained pressure on their flanks from Chelsea.
Mudryk also dragged a shot wide as Chelsea remained poor up front with Nicholas Jackson losing his cool in front of goal.
United had been dominant in the first half but Chelsea hit back with a dagger through midfield.
A move started by Thiago Silva was continued by Mudryk in the vacant United midfield – the Ukrainian found ex-Manchester City winger Cole Palmer who cut inside Victor Lindelof and hit a reverse shot from 16 yards out that that Andre Onana.
Both sides made one charge at the break – United brought on Sergio Reguilon for Victor Lindelof while Chelsea brought on Reece James for Marc Cucurella.
Jackson headed over the bar while Mudryk had a shot charged down at the start of the second half.
But United were back in the lead after 69 minutes after Maguire found Reguilon who slid the ball to Garnacho – and his cross was converted by McTominay from 3 yards out with a header.
Chelsea failed to pose a serious threat in the second half, chances were few and Onana saved their their best effort in the last minute – a header by Armando Broja that hit the post.
Both sides had been inconsistent but the Reds edged this contest with greater firepower.
Embed from Getty ImagesPLAYER RATINGS – Manchester United 2, Chelsea 1
Andre Onana: 6. Saved a shot by Mykhailo Mudryk with his knee and also one from Enzo Fernandez but could have done better with Cole Palmer’s goal and was grateful for Armando Broja hitting the post with a header right at the end.
Diogo Dalot: 6. Early runs caused problems to the Chelsea defence. Faded a bit in second half.
Victor Lindelof: 6. Nonplussed by Cole Palmer dragging him out of shape before shooting past him to level the scores. He was replaced at half time by Sergio Reguilon.
Harry Maguire: 6. Robust start. Shot blocked leading to the goal. Encouraged to sneak forwards at times too but was surprised by the Cole Palmer improvisation just before half time. Second half interception stopped Nicholas Jackson from free run on goal and he started the move that led to Scott McTominay’s second goal.
Luke Shaw: 6. Looked decent raiding up from left back but also backed up Victor Lindelof. Moved to centre back after Lindelof was taken off. Claimed for a handball in the second half.
Scott McTominay: 8. Added another goal to his collection for the season. Had a double chance saved by Robert Sanchez when Bruno Fernandes’ cross found him in space. Was down for some time after a rib injury sustained in a tackle with Levi Colwill. Recovered to pose a decent goal threat in second half and scored with close ranged header from 3 yards out.
Sofyan Amrabat: 6. Had room to move in midfield and pick his passes but was bypassed for the Chelsea goal. Inconsistent Chelsea didn’t expose his shortcomings and failed to capitalise when they did.
Antony: 7. Motivated. Managed to win a penalty and had a shot saved and another blocked by Thiago Silva. Deflected shot went wide in second half.
Bruno Fernandes: 7. Blazed over early on and saw a poor spot kick saved by Robert Sanchez. Bust a gut to get back an intercept a pass to Sterling from Mudryk.
Alejandro Garnacho: 7. Started the move that led to the goal but petulant. Had stars in his eyes in the second half when he tried another overhead kick but fluffed it, sent a more conventional shot narrowly wide shortly afterwards. His cross set up Scott McTominay’s second goal but could have scored himself but for intervention by Reece James. Also shot wide late on despite finding Bruno Fernandes intruding in his space quite often.
Rasmus Hojlund: 6. Early shot forced a save out of Robert Sanchez. Blazed over a rebound from Bruno Fernandes’ missed spot. Too slow to capitalise on a great Garnacho ball across the 6 yard box but otherwise starved of decent service.
Sergio Reguilon (on for Victor Lindelof, 46): 6. Reasonable workrate down the left flank. Involved in the build up for Scott McTominay’s second goal.
Marcus Rashford (on for Rasmus Hojlund, 84): No time to mark.
Jonny Evans (on for Alejandro Garnacho, 90+2): No time to mark.
TEAM NEWS – Manchester United 2, Chelsea 1
Manchester United made four changes from the side that started at Newcastle United.
Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, and Kobbie Mainoo were dropped to the bench and were replaced in the starting lineup by Rasmus Hojlund, Antony, Victor Lindelof, and Sofyan Amrabat.
GOALS – Manchester United 2, Chelsea 1
Man Utd 1, Chelsea 0: 19. Scott McTominay rattled in the rebound from 12 yards after Harry Maguire’s initial shot from Alejandro Garnacho’s cutback was blocked by Marc Cucurella.
Man Utd 1, Chelsea 1: 44. Cole Palmer hit a cool reverse shot from 16 yards to level the scores after cutting inside Victor Lindelof after Mykhailo Mudryk put him through.
Man Utd 2, Chelsea 1: 69. Scott McTominay was on the spot to head United into the lead from 3 yards out after Alejandro Garnacho found him with a cross from the left.
MATCH STATS – Manchester United 2, Chelsea 1
Man Utd: Onana, Dalot, Lindelof (Reguilon 46), Maguire, Shaw, McTominay, Sofyan Amrabat, Antony, Fernandes (C), Garnacho, Hojlund (Rashford 84)
Man Utd Subs: Bayindir, Martial, Pellistri, Wan-Bissaka, van de Beek, Evans, Mainoo
Bookings: Shaw 15 (foul on Raheem Sterling); Garnacho 22 (dissent); Dalot 82 (foul on Raheem Sterling); Reguilon 90+4 (time wasting)
Goals: McTominay 19, 69
Chelsea: Sanchez, Disasi, Thiago Silva, Colwill (C), Cucurella (James 46), Caicedo, Fernandez, Sterling, Palmer, Mudryk (Broja 77), Jackson
Chelsea Subs not used: Petrovic, Badiashile, Maatsen, Deivid Washington, Gilchrist, Matos, Castledine
Bookings: Sterling 14 (dissent); Caicedo 41 (foul on Rasmus Hojlund)
Goal: Palmer 44
Referee: Chris Kavanagh
Attendance: 73,607