Chelsea vs Manchester United player ratings: Chris Smalling 'dismal' but who impressed for victorious Blues?

Smalling was at fault for the first two goals

Joe Miles
Sunday 23 October 2016 13:25 EDT
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Jose Mourinho's Stamford Bridge return started badly and only got worse as the most successful manager in Chelsea's history saw his Manchester United side succumb to a humiliating 4-0 defeat.

Two memorable spells at the west London club's helm brought with them eight trophies and no little controversy, with the Portuguese twice sacked by Blues owner Roman Abramovich.

Mourinho returned to the club that unceremoniously, and understandably, called time on his second stint in December, but any hope of haunting his former paymasters was swiftly extinguished as Pedro's 30-second strike kicked off what would prove a nightmare afternoon for United.

"You're not special any more," chanted some of the Chelsea fans that had worshipped him as the pre-match goodwill was quickly forgotten, with Pedro landing an early sucker-punch after lax defending allowed him to score against the club he rejected in favour of Mourinho's Blues.

Gary Cahill reacted quickly to lash home from a 21st-minute corner to compound matters for United, who were understandably aggrieved by an ugly David Luiz challenge on Marouane Fellaini.

The Belgian did not return for the second half and Eric Bailly limped off soon after, with matters worsening when Eden Hazard - so poor as Mourinho's side stuttered last season - fired home a superb third to the delight of Antonio Conte.

N'Golo Kante opened his Chelsea account with a fine solo goal to increase the embarrassment as a Mourinho side conceded four for just the second time in a Premier League match.

Additional reporting by PA.

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