Chelsea vs Manchester United live: Alvaro Morata goal decides Stamford Bridge affair as Jose Mourinho loses out
Follow the latest from the Premier League clash at Stamford Bridge
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Your support makes all the difference.Jose Mourinho returns to Stamford Bridge once again as Manchester United take on Chelsea in a game that could have huge ramifications for both team’s Premier League title hopes. Follow all the latest here.
- Chelsea vs Manchester United kicks off at 16:30
- Antonio Conte has already conceded that defeat will end their title hopes
- Blues nine points off City at start of the weekend
- David Luiz and Gary Cahill could be dropped
- United without Paul Pogba still
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Preview...
Manchester United travel to Chelsea on Sunday afternoon, hoping to narrow the gap to their local rivals Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table.
Currently 2nd in the league, but five points behind the Citizens, this weekend could constitute an ideal opportunity for the Red Devils to apply some real pressure to City.
If they could come away from West London with a win - and in-form Arsenal can avoid being beaten when they visit the Etihad on Sunday - United would move within touching distance of Pep Guardiola’s high-flying team.
Boss Jose Mourinho will have reasons to be confident in securing a positive result at his old club. United come into the fixture confident after a solid run of winning form. As well as two efficient, if not glamorous, away victories in the Carabao Cup and Champions League competitions, last weekend’s 1-0 win at home to Spurs will have instilled belief that this United team can secure results against the highest quality opposition in the division.
The Manchester club will also take heart from the recent results of their hosts in London. In particular, Tuesday night’s 3-0 loss away to Roma highlighted just how brittle the reigning league champions have been at times this season.
The Blues looked completely disjointed as they were hammered in the Italian capital, a far cry from the slick, organised team unit that lifted the Premier League trophy in May. Manager Antonio Conte would dearly love an improved showing against United, not only to overcome his rival Mourinho for a second time in this fixture – after Chelsea won 4-0 last term – but to reenergise his team’s effort to retain their title.
The return of the talismanic N’Golo Kante after a four week injury layoff would certainly do a lot to revive Chelsea spirits, though the Frenchman is still a doubt and Victor Moses remains sidelined. For the visitors, although both Marouane Fellaini and Marcos Rojo are approaching match fitness again, they remain unlikely to be risked.
What time does it start?
Chelsea vs Manchester United kicks off at 16:30.
Where can I watch it?
The match will be shown live from 16:15 on Sky Sports Main Event. Highlights will be shown on BBC One at 22:30.
It’s a big game for…
Romelu Lukaku. The Belgian has been the centre of discussion this week, defended as “untouchable” by Jose Mourinho after he perceived the United supporters were not appreciative enough of the striker. Still, the facts – in many ways – speak louder than the Portuguese. Despite scoring 11 in his first 10 games for United, the Belgian now has not netted for six games in a row. How the 24 year-old would love to end that barren run at the stadium and club that first adopted him in England.
Best stat…
12. Before last April’s 2-0 loss at Old Trafford, the Blues were unbeaten in twelve games against United, winning seven and drawing five. This is the longest United have ever gone without beating a fellow top-flight team in the Premier League era.
Remember when…
Fernando Torres and the miss of the century when these two sides met at Old Trafford in the Premier League in 2011.
Player to watch out for…
Nemanja Matic. Like Lukaku, another ex-Blue who is settling into life at Old Trafford. In the midst of some major absences in central midfield for United – with Paul Pogba, Michael Carrick and Marouane Fellaini all currently sidelined – the Serbian has been a fantastic controlling force in the middle of the park: he has played more passes (722) than any other player on either side. Another dominant showing on his first return to Stamford Bridge since leaving in the summer will ensure that Chelsea will rue their decision to sell him even more.
Previous three meetings…
Manchester United 2 (Rashford, Herrera) Chelsea 0, Premier League, April 2017
Chelsea 1 (Kante) Manchester United 0, FA Cup, March 2017
Chelsea 4 (Pedro, Cahill, Hazard, Kante) Manchester United 0, Premier League, October 2016
Form guide…
Chelsea: LDWWWL
Manchester United: DWLWWW
Odds…
Chelsea: 6/4
Manchester United: 21/10
Draw: 28/13
Post-match reaction from Chelsea's players
Cesc Fabregas: "I think we had plenty of chances. We could have killed the game. Overall I think the performance was very good. Maybe the game was a little more open than we expected it to be."
Alvaro Morata: "It's more important that we won (than it is that I scored). We have a very good chance today to come back to winning ways and we are very happy because we get three points to go into the international break with.
"For sure (it's my most important goal for Chelsea)."
Quotes from Sky Sports
Post-match reaction from Jose Mourinho
On the performance: "I think they scored the goal in the only period when they were on top of the game. Apart from that, the game was even. The game was controlled by us, the game was controlled by them, we had our chances, they had their chances and then, with the first goal, they found themselves winning and bringing more people to defend.
"Knowing that they defend with a lot of people, we had a go, we created chances to equalise but we couldn't."
On whether United could've defended Chelsea's winner better: "We could've done better with the goal. In a game where the first team to score normally wins, we concede a goal in a situation where we should control."
On whether the distance between United and Premier League leaders Manchester City concerns him: "We are second. We have 18 teams in a more difficult position than us. Eight points is eight points, we went through a very difficult phase with probably the most important matches against Tottenham, Liverpool, Chelsea. We went through all these games without important players. I don't like to speak but it is obvious that we went through a difficult period with limitations."
On Marouane Fellaini's return from injury: "I would like to thank Fellaini for the unbelievable effort he made because he trained with the team only yesterday for the first time and made himself available to try to help the team today so it is important for me to give him that public reward."
On whether he shook Antonio Conte's hand: "No, he disappeared, so I shook hands with his assistants which is basically the same thing."
Quotes from Sky Sports
Post-match reaction from Antonio Conte
On how much the win means to him: "I think it's an important victory. When you play against United it's always a massive game and you know very well that this team is very strong. It's a good team.
"This type of win is very important for our confidence and today we showed great desire, great will, great passion and great enthusiasm to win this type of game.
"I think that we can win or lose but our spirit must be like this. Last season our spirit was amazing every game, this season we started with a lot of problems. Up and down. But I think that now we are recovering with all players and it's good because this type of game shows that if we want to, we can."
On David Luiz's omission from the matchday squad: "I think it was a tactical decision. Christensen played fantastic, great composure, great focus and great spirit. He's 22 and he showed great personality and for sure he is the present and the future for Chelsea. The same for Ampadu who was on the bench. He's only 17. I trust a lot in these two young players."
On whether Luiz has a future at Chelsea: "I don't know. David Luiz has to work with the other players. If he deserves to play, why stay on the bench or in the stands?"
On Alvaro Morata's display: "I think Alvaro today showed great personality, showed himself to be very strong. He played a really good game. There is a bit of disappointment because he could have scored more but today he played very well. Don't forget, this is the first season he is playing regularly as a number nine. He's a young player and it's great for his confidence and the confidence of Chelsea."
On his failure to shake Jose Mourinho's hand after the match: "I don't think it's important."
Quotes from Sky Sports
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