CHELSEA sorely missed Tammy Abraham and had two goals ruled out by tight VAR decisions – as Michy Batshuayi had a night to forget on his recall.
Manchester United’s third win over the toothless Blues this season cut the deficit on Frank Lampard’s fourth-placed side to six points.
Chelsea’s brightest hope was often Mateo Kovacic from the centre of midfieldCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s team rode their luck with Harry Maguire fortunate not to see red for kicking out at Batshuayi.
Here’s how SunSport’s Ian Tuckey rated the Chelsea players on a frustrating night for Frank Lampard.
Willy Caballero – 6/10
Comfortable and untroubled in the first half, until pretty much being rooted to the middle of his goal when Anthony Martial glanced Manchester United in front with a perfect header into the bottom corner.
That was United’s first effort on target. Beaten again on 63 minutes despite his full-length dive, when Bruno Fernandes’ clever free-kick from the right fizzed off the near post.
Could do nothing about Maguire’s perfect header making it 2-0 but thwarted United’s debutant sub Odion Ighalo.
Reece James – 7
Led Chelsea’s buzzing start by swaggering forward from right-back, cutting inside and often looking more like a wide midfielder.
Quieter after that, when his rival for a first England cap, United’s Aaron Wan-Bissaka, burst into life at the other end, including with his beautiful goal-supplying cross. More muted in the second half.
Antonio Rudiger – 6
A powerful presence, albeit against a United side lacking an out-and-out frontman, but was then outwitted when Harry Maguire darted across him to thump home a header from a corner, doubling United’s lead. Booked.
Andreas Christensen – 5
Steady, calm display until being forced off with injury at the end of the first half – meaning he was out of the picture when Anthony Martial headed the United opener from the middle of the penalty box.
Cesar Azpilicueta – 6
Got forward well early on and was rarely directly threatened by the pace of Daniel James.
Kurt Zouma had a volleyed equaliser from a corner ruled out after VAR ruled Azpilicueta shoved Brandon Williams over in in the box – not before Fred pushed him into Williams.
Like his defensive colleagues, offered less coming forward in the second period.
N’Golo Kante – 5
Barely touched the ball in midfield before being forced off injured after just 11 minutes. Mason Mount coming on.
N’Golo Kante limped off after just ten minutes at Stamford BridgeCredit: Reuters
Jorginho – 6
As a deep anchorman, he was probably the quietest of the Chelsea midfielders, especially during their encouraging start.
Lampard’s short-passing style needs a link-player between defence and midfield but he was unable to stamp his pedigree on the game when Chelsea most needed it – at 2-0 down for the final quarter of the match.
Mateo Kovacic – 7
Best player for the first 20 minutes, showing far more more energy, invention and positive passing than anyone else on play.
Struggled to keep that momentum up, especially once the pace became more frenetic after the break. Twice blocked out in decent positions.
Pedro – 5
Pretty much summed up Chelsea – flickered about neatly at times, but showed more promise than end product.
Twice blocked out in dangerous positions. Booked after a skirmish.
Michy Batshuayi – 3
Wasted three fine opportunities before the break when his confidence appeared low in a rare start due to Tammy abraham’s injury.
Some sporadic useful touches with approach play, but nothing in the areas where it matters to suggest he will ever become a Stamford Bridge regular.
Almost inevitably was replaced by Olivier Giroud midway soon after United went 2-0 up.
Michy Batshuayi had a night to forget before he was hauled offCredit: AFP or licensors
Willian – 5
Lively start but struggled to rouse Chelsea again once their control started to slip from the half-hour mark.
Could do little when Wan-Bissaka twisted him both ways to curve a cross for Martial to glance home an equally-sublime goal on half-time.
Harshly booked for diving on 36 minutes when Fernandes seemed to trip him, although the Brazilian tumbled theatrically.
Subs: Mason Mount (for Kante, 12 mins) – 6
Instantly busy after his early introduction, teeing up one chance.
But faded in the second period, livening up near the end for a fierce free-kick off the inside of the near post.
Kurt Zouma (for Christensen, 46 mins) – 7
Unlucky to have a fine volleyed equaliser ruled out at 1-0 down, due to Azpilicueta’s push. Booked.
Giroud (for Batshuayi 68 minutes) – 6
Stopped to net superbly with a diving header soon after coming on, but VAR scrubbed it out for a tight offside.
Added muscle and bustle to the Chelsea attack.
Frank Lampard insists Hakim Ziyech will be Chelsea’s key to unlock tight defences and admits he can play him in two positions
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
