Manchester United knocks out Chelsea to clinch a spot in the UCL.
Manchester United defeated Chelsea 4-1 on Saturday (Sept. 26) at Old Trafford in Manchester, England, in the 32nd round of the 2022-2023 Premier League season.
With the win, United jumped to third place in the league with 72 points (W22 D6 L9). The three points, coupled with a fifth straight home win, earned United a spot in next season’s UEFA Champions League. Chelsea, meanwhile, failed to pick up a point and remained in 12th place (43 points).
The home team, United, went with a 4-2-3-1 formation. Anthony Martial was up front, with Jadon Sancho-Bruno Fernandez-Antony in the attacking second line. Christian Eriksen-Casemiro lined up in midfield, while Luke Shaw-Viktor Lindelof-Raphael Varane-Aaron Wan-Bissaka formed the back four. David de Gea wore the goalkeeping gloves.
Chelsea lined up in a 4-1-4-1 formation. Kai Havertz was in goal, while Mikhail Mudric, Conor Gallagher, Kani Chukwuemeka and Noni Madueke formed the attacking two. Enzo Fernandez started in the center of defense, while Lewis Hall, Trevor Chalobah, Wesley Fofana, and Cesar Aspilicueta formed the back four. Kepa Arrizabalaga was in goal.
It was United who opened the scoring. In the sixth minute of the first half, Eriksen’s free kick from the far post was headed home by Casemiro to rattle the net. A video assistant referee (VAR) review was conducted to determine if there was an offside foul, but the goal was awarded without issue.
Midway through the first half, something changed for United. In the 26th minute, Anthony went down after breaking through the Chelsea defense. Anthony was stretchered off the field, prompting United to bring on Marcus Rashford.
Chelsea also had a chance. In the 32nd minute, Hall collected a ball from Gallagher, broke down the left flank and sent in a cross. Haberz got a header on it, but the ball went wide of the goal.
Six minutes of first-half stoppage time. United added another goal just before halftime. Bruno played a defended ball to Casemiro, who crossed the ball to Sancho, who was breaking into the box. Sancho sent a low cross towards the onrushing Martial at the other end, who had no problem slotting it home.
The first half ended with United leading 2-0.
Two minutes into the second half, United were back on the scoreboard. Lindelof, who won the ball from Gallagher in the high area, played the ball to Sancho on the right flank, who passed to an unmarked Bruno. Bruno unleashed a powerful shot, but it hit the post.
Chelsea fought back. In the fifth minute of the second half, Mourinho picked up the ball on the counterattack, drove to the penalty arc, and fired a right-footed shot. The ball was headed for the opposite corner, but De Gea leapt out to make the save.
Chelsea knocked on United’s door again. In the 14th minute, Hall cut into the box from the right flank and fired a left-footed shot that De Gea parried away. The ball came out to Mudrick, who hit a mid-range shot that De Gea saved.
United added a second goal in the 26th minute. After collecting a ball from Alejandro Garnacho, Bruno was tripped by Fofana in the box and the referee awarded a penalty kick. Stepping up to take the spot kick, Bruno made no mistake.
United drove a wedge into the win. In the 33rd minute, Fofana made a fatal passing error in the defensive zone and Bruno intercepted it. Rashford, who was free, collected the pass and slotted home.
Chelsea pulled one back. In the 44th minute, Joao Felix picked up the ball on the counterattack and drove forward before slotting the ball home.메이저놀이터
After the game, the Manchester Evening News gave Casemiro the highest rating of any United player for scoring the opening goal. Playing the full game, Kasemir completed 78% of his passes, won one dribble, won seven balls into the final third, made two tackles, blocked one shot, made one clearance, and recovered 13 balls.
The media gave Casemiro a 9 rating, saying, “An adventurous attack led to the opening goal and he was directly involved in both goals. Another good performance against Chelsea.”
In England, Football London rated the Chelsea players. Hall, who played as a flanker, and goalkeeper Kepa, who made five saves, were awarded the highest rating of seven, while Fofana, who was directly involved in two concessions, received the lowest rating of three. “Fofana made a shocking tackle on Bruno in the second half and made another passing error that led to Rashford’s goal,” the publication said.