Chelsea v Manchester United Premier League Sunday 28th February 2021

Yet another clash between two  big teams in the Premier League, and matches when the big teams clash have been disappointing this season, would this be the same or would we get some excitement or controversy?

It was also the start of a big week for Man United with 3 away games:  Chelsea, Crystal Palace and Manchester City, the question is how big would the gap between City and United be going into the derby next weekend?

It was a big game for both teams as it was Chelsea in 5^th against United in 2^nd.  Chelsea needed a win to close the gap on the top 4, United needed the win to try put some pressure on City.

Keep reading to the end to find out the final result.

It was played at Stamford Bridge

Controversial moment

After 14 minutes, United had a dangerous free-kick outside the Chelsea area, Rashford struck it powerfully but Mendy parried it away. There was then a battle between Greenwood and Hudson-Odoi, there was an appeal from Chelsea players for handball against Greenwood.

The game went on for a couple of minutes, then at the other end Ziyech’s left footed shot was saved in the centre of the goal. Then the VAR advised the referee to go over to the monitor to have a look at the handball incident for himself.  He had a couple of looks with Chelsea players surrounding him and the decision was no penalty.

After 22 minutes, Mount switched the ball to Hudson-Odoi on the right , he laid it off to Azpilicueta, his block was blocked and it fell to Hudson-Odoi who thumped a shot dangerously wide of the far post.

A couple of minutes later, Fred laid the ball off to Rashford who played a 1-2 with Fernandes on the edge of the box and carried his run on into the area. Fernandes tried to chip it over but overcooked the pass.

Just after the half hour,  there was a poor clearance from De Gea which went straight to Giroud, who rushed his shot from range when he had time and space but it went miles over.

After 37 minutes, Rudiger got away from Dan James, picked out Hudson-Odoi with a lovely diagonal pass, he crossed it in early and Giroud was inches away with a diving header, he crashed into the post.

There were a couple more United chances before halftime, but they were both blocked.

Halftime score:  Chelsea 0-0 Manchester United

So a poor first half which only really had one talking point, the no penalty.  Would the 2^nd half improve?

After 48 minutes, good run by Chilwell, he crossed to Ziyech who’s shot was saved well by De Gea, then Reece James’ shot was blocked.

On the hour mark, United won the ball back deep in Chelsea half, nice passing and Greenwood’s left footed shot just went wide.  In the same minute,  McTominay then had a shot for United which was well saved by Mendy as he had players in his eyeline.

After 67 minutes, good buildup by United which ended with Fred shooting from just outside the box and it only just went agonisingly wide, that would have been a rare goal for Fred.

With six minute of normal time remaining, Werner’s shot straight at De Gea.

In stoppage time at the end of the game, there were a couple more Chelsea chances and a chance for United as Fred shot from range, but his shot was parried away to safety by Mendy.

Fulltime score:  Chelsea 0-0 Manchester United

So a game of few chances ended in stalemate, another game between the traditional “Big six” this season ended goalless. The only talking point really was the one I mentioned at halftime about the no penalty given to United.

Here’s some snippets of quotes from the pundits at the end of the game, and also from Shaw and Solskjaer at the United end:

Souness: “I think they’re both worried about coming together , their arms have come up and I don’t see it as a penalty”

Keane:  “People complain United get too many penalties”,  but they get into the opposition penalty area more than their opponents, so they probably are going to get more penalties”

Shaw:  “ I don’t know why they stopped it if it wasn’t  a pen”.  He also said he heard the ref say to Maguire “ If I say it’s a pen, then it’s going to cause a lot of talk afterwards”

You can watch what Solskjaer said in this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g9Y-_x_Wgn4

So, the result meant United stayed in 2^nd on 50 points, but a massive 12 points behind Man City with only 12 games to go, for Chelsea they stayed in 5^th on 44 points, just outside the top 4.

Highlights of this game are at this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=87k1g1yVUkw

Next up for Man United they have another game in London as they go to Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park with an 8:15pm kickoff on Wednesday 3^rd March 2021. United could be kicking off 13 or 15 points behind Man City.

Manchester United v Arsenal Premier League Sunday 1st November 2020

This was Manchester United’s fifth home game of the season, fourth in the Premier League, could they finally get a home win in the Premier League this season?

This game came on the weekend we lost yet another of England’s 1966 World Cup heroes  Nobby Stiles  on Friday and on Sunday (the day of the game) Sir Bobby Charlton got diagnosed with dementia.  It was also the nearest home game that United had to Remembrance weekend, so there was a minute’s silence before kickoff to remember not only Stiles but all those who have lost their life in the war and in this pandemic.

It was played at Old Trafford, I haven’t got a photo of Old Trafford for this one but I have a picture from outside the ground of Nobby Stiles.  

Reference picture 1: https://www.facebook.com/manchesterunited

Reference picture 2: https://news.cgtn.com/news

After a quarter of an hour Bellerin did a great cross, but Aubameyang couldn’t quite get on the end of it.

Six minutes later, Rashford did a through ball to Greenwood, whose shot was saved, but the corner came to nothing.

After 38 minutes,  Willian shot hit the top of the bar.

A minute before halftime, Saka had a free header over the bar.

Halftime score :  Man United 0-0 Arsenal

So it was a half which Arsenal dominated but they couldn’t get the goal, would they be punished?

At the start of the second half, Manchester United came out with a much better attitude and within a minute of the second half, Fernandes had a long range shot saved, but was better from United.

Two minutes later, Wan-Bissaka’s cross was blocked, from the corner Maguire’s header was nowhere near.

Four minutes later, sloppy play by Rashford, Lacazette passed to Aubameyang who missed but ought to have scored.

After 55 minutes, Shaw crossed a freekick , Maguire’s header went just wide.

Just before the hour mark, Partey had a powerful shot saved by De Gea.

With 25 minutes to go, Elneny shot over for Arsenal.

With 20 minutes to go, the big moment of the match as Pogba fouled Bellerin, the referee gave the penalty and Aubameyang slotted it into the bottom corner.

Manchester United had 20 minutes to try and avoid a fourth home defeat of the season, could they manage it?

With ten minutes to Rashford had a shot from outside the box was blocked and went over the bar.

With six minutes remaining, Van de Beek cross deflected off the defender and the keeper to hit the post, closest Manchester United came to scoring.

In stoppage time,  Matic had a shot but was straight at the keeper.

Fulltime score :  Manchester United 0-1 Arsenal

So, another poor performance from Manchester United, Arsenal were dominant and for the first time since 1972  Manchester United have failed to win a home game in the Premier League, and you just wonder how much more patience the hierarchy at Old Trafford have with Solskjaer.

I and many Manchester United fans like Ole Gunnar Solskjaer for what he’s done for Manchester United but results and performances are just not good enough. They are languishing in 15th place, that’s not where Man United should be, but I hope they give Solskjaer more time and hopefully results and performances will turn around.  One final point,  Jamie Redknapp who was a pundit on the game said “It’s going to be a hard decision if it comes as to whether to sack Solskjaer as United fans love him,  it’d be like shooting Bambi”

Next up for Manchester United is their third Champions League game against Istanbul on Wednesday night kick-off 5:55pm , and it’s the Champions League where their best performances are coming from this season.

Brighton v Manchester United in the Premier League Tuesday 30th June 2020

This game was a chance for Manchester United to close the gap on Chelsea,  go 15 games unbeaten in all competitions and try and keep the pressure on Chelsea, it was also a chance for Brighton to go further clear at the bottom of the table.

It was played at The Amex Stadium where United have lost their last two trips to, what would happen this time?

The first chance went to Brighton after six minutes, as an effort from Stephens went too high.

After 12 minutes, the first shot by united was by Bruno Fernandes who was unlucky as he hit the right post with a right footed shot from outside the box, after a lay-off from Pogba.

Pogba then had an attempt blocked.

Just after the quarter hour mark,  Manchester United took the lead as Greenwood did a few stepovers, before shooting left footed from the right hand side of the box, and scored into the bottom right corner.

After 21 minutes, United had a direct free-kick but Fernandes attempt went too high over the crossbar.

Maguire then had a header from a corner, but it missed to the left.

Just before the half hour, Manchester United took control of the game as Fernandes hit a right footed shot from outside the area, and slotted it into the bottom right corner, and United had the 2-0 lead their dominance deserved.

After 39 minutes, another United chance as Rashford had a right footed shot from outside the box, but went too high and wide to the right.

Halftime score: Brighton 0-2 Manchester United

Manchester United dominated the first half, looked confident and are playing well under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, more of the same in the second half, or would Brighton be a little bit better?

Five minutes into the second half, Manchester United scored their third goal and it was Fernandes again , he had a left footed half volley from the centre of the box, after a cross from Greenwood after a fast counter-attack, it was a superb goal.

On the hour mark, Brighton had a rare attempt, it came from Trossard and it was a left footed shot, from left hand side of the box it was close but missed.

Trossard then had another attempt for Brighton, but again was high and wide.

With twenty minutes to go, Connolly had a right footed shot from outside the box for Brighton saved by De Gea.

With fifteen minutes  remaining, Maupay had a shot for Brighton saved by De Gea.

With six minutes left, McTominay had a shot for United from outside the box, it was saved by Ryan of Brighton.

Near the end of the game, James had a couple of attempts easily saved by Ryan.

Fulltime score: Brighton 0-3 Manchester United

It was a comprehensive, dominant, wonderful display by Manchester United, they go 15 games unbeaten in all competitions, and at time of writing two points behind Chelsea, and after Chelsea’s defeat on Wednesday at West Ham, United are still only two points behind Chelsea.

Next for Manchester  United in the Premier League is Bournemouth on Saturday at 3pm, where a win will see them go into the top four for a few hours at least,  are the good times coming back to Old Trafford?