Chelsea 0-0 Manchester United
Chelsea missed a chance to climb back into the top four of the Premier League on Sunday, after playing out their second goalless draw against Manchester United this season.
Premier League: Chelsea vs Manchester United was billed as the match of the weekend in the English top flight, and while we were starved of goals there was plenty of action, and as far as 0-0s go it wasn’t half bad. Thomas Tuchel has made a huge impact since his arrival as head coach at Stamford Bridge and while his side had the better of this game he will be reasonably happy with a point, as will his opposite number Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Manchester City are well clear at the top of the table, making it 20 wins on the bounce with a 2-1 victory over West Ham on Saturday and now the Sky Blues are 12 points clear of the chasing pack, led by the Red Devils.
Highlights of the game
Chelsea started the match the better, passing and moving swiftly and making inroads into the United half, and had Mason Mount steadied himself quicker his early shot would not have been so easily blocked. The Red Devils had a clear sight of goal when they had a free-kick at around 25 yards. Marcus Rashford beat the wall but not the keeper as Edouard Mendy punched clear. There was a VAR penalty review as the ball brushed Callum Hudson-Odoi’s arm when it was cleared but the wing-back got away with it.
Hudson-Odoi had an opportunity to shoot, after playing a one-two with Cesar Azpilicueta, but he shot wide. And then Olivier Giroud was presented with an opportunity when David de Gea fluffed a clearance but he blasted his effort over the bar. The French striker was inches away from scoring when Hudson-Odoi swung in an early cross but Giroud’s dive was a split second too late as the ball flew to safety.
Manchester United began to work their way into the game and Bruno Fernandes almost deceived Mendy with a shot that was deflected just wide. The visitors finished the half strongly, and after a smart interchange of passes, N’Golo Kante had to be quick to stop Rashford from pulling the trigger.
De Gea made a stunning save to keep the scores level at the start of the second half after Ben Chilwell raced down the left flank and pulled the ball back for Hakim Ziyech who rifled his shot goalwards, but De Gea made the stop. Mason Greenwood had a great chance at the other end after good work from Dan James, and his shot went flew narrowly wide, and then Mendy had to be alert to keep out a Scott McTominay effort at his near post.
As the game began to get a little more stretched Mateo Kovacic tried a shot from distance but De Gea held on comfortably. With 15 minutes left on the clock Tuchel brought Timo Werner on but there was almost a slip up at the other end when Mendy took two attempts to hold on to Dan James cross.
Reece James swung in a brilliant cross for Werner but Victor Lindelof made a superb interception to save the Red Devils, and moments later Werner tested de Gea with a well-hit shot. Then as Chelsea pressed for the winner Christian Pulisic fired over when he had a clear sight of goal.
The pre-match Chelsea vs Manchester United betting odds here at SBOTOP had the draw at 3.16 and while the Blues shaded it, a point each was about right.
Key statistics
Chelsea remain unbeaten under their new coach and they still lead in the head to head Chelsea vs Manchester United results, by 26 victories to 24, but the gap between these two teams remains six points in United’s favour.
The Red Devils are unbeaten in nine games away from home, while this is the first time Chelsea and Manchester United have played out two 0-0 draws in a season since 1921-22.
What’s next?
The big games keep on coming for the Blues and they can look forward to a Merseyside double next week. Tuchel’s side travel to meet Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool on Thursday before heading back to West London to welcome Everton on Monday 8th March.
The Red Devils too have a monumental week coming up. They are back in London on Wednesday to face Roy Hodgson’s Crystal Palace who are edging away from the danger zone, before facing up to Manchester City next Sunday as the Sky Blues seek to extend their lead at the top of the table.
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