United come from behind to sink 'Blues'

Matt Morley 6 years ago 8.9k
Lukaku scored once and set up another as United turned the game around. AFP

Manchester United showed their credentials in the battle for second place on Sunday as they came from behind to beat Chelsea thanks to goals from Jesse Lingard and Romelu Lukaku.

The two sides went into the game knowing that it would likely have a huge impact in the race for the top four and the tension around Old Trafford could have been cut with a knife before kick off.

That tension soon multiplied in the home end as Chelsea came flying out of the blocks with the returning Alvaro Morata turning a low cross from Marcos Alonso onto the bar from close range with just four minutes gone.

The away side continued to be the better team in the opening exchanges and dominated possession.

Following their early pressure though Chelsea’s tempo then dropped, with United going close themselves.

First, Romelu Lukaku saw an effort on the turn blocked, before Alexis Sanchez wasted a great chance by prodding straight at Thibaut Courtois after being well found by Anthony Martial.

- Willian's hot streak continues - 

United were made to regret that miss just after the half-hour mark as Chelsea took the lead. It came from a United free-kick, with the Brazilian rising to head the initial ball clear before bursting forward on the break.

Willian exchanged passes with Eden Hazard and when the return ball set him racing away there was no doubt as to what the result would be, with Willian powering past David De Gea at the near post to open the scoring, though the Spaniard really ought to have done better.

That lead lasted just seven minutes though as United levelled as half-time approached. A nice move from the hosts on the edge of the box ended with Martial squaring for Lukaku to tuck home his first goal against a top-eight side this season.

There was still time for arguably the game's main talking point though as Morata fired across De Gea and into the far corner with just minutes to go, only for the goal to be chalked off by the offside flag, despite replays showing that there was very little in it.

In the end though it was United who emerged victorious to return to second, whilst Chelsea drop to fifth following Tottenham's win over Crystal Palace.

Mentioned in the news story

R. Lukaku
J. Lingard
Manchester United
Premier League