When you mention Jose Mourinho, the image that usually comes to mind is one of a team dominating their soccer league. But the last year or so has been about anything but dominance for the Portuguese mastermind. Losing the locker room – and most of the games – with Chelsea last season, he was fired but found refuge in Manchester when United came calling. United’s game against Chelsea on Sunday was one where Mourinho had the chance to show the Blues just what they were missing. However, current Chelsea manager Antonio Conte had other plans as Chelsea thumped Manchester United 4-0.
United travelled to Stamford Bridge having played a midweek Europa League game against Fenerbahce. The lack of freshness was evident in the very first minute when United defender Chris Smalling chose not to clear the ball. Chelsea forward Pedro rushed to take it before rounding keeper David De Gea and scoring. 1-0 to the Blues with 30 seconds on the clock! Chelsea doubled their lead in minute 21 when Gary Cahill took advantage of the chaos inside the box after a corner and slammed one home. The Red Devils did have a couple of half decent chances. Ibrahimovic should have scored after a great cross from Valencia, but it went just over the crossbar.
There was a moment at the end of the first half which could have changed the outcome of the game. Chelsea’s Luiz went stud first into Fellaini and earned himself a yellow card. On another day, that could have been red!
The second half saw several opportunities for Chelsea, two of which they took. Some excellent passing and quick feet saw Hazard get the better of Smalling and his score, and N’Golo Kante put the icing on the cake with the fourth Chelsea goal in minute 80.
It wasn’t as if Chelsea keeper Courtois had a quiet day at the office. He was called in to make a few saves here and there, but it was nothing the Belgian couldn’t handle.
Besides Chelsea and Liverpool, none of the top seven could register a win this weekend. It was United’s chance to close in the gap on the others and they missed it.
The teams head into the League Cup in the middle of the week. With encounters like the Manchester Derby and Liverpool vs. Tottenham looming, it seems like it’s going to be an interesting week for English soccer!
