Chelsea 1-0 Man United Seven Things: red card the game-changer

Kante celebrates the winner – sportinglife.com

Ander Herrera’s first half dismissal and N’Golo Kante’s second half goal saw Chelsea progress to the FA Cup semi-finals with a 1-0 win over Manchester United – but what are the main discussion points?

United’s efficient pressing

Marcus Rashford and Henrikh Mkhitaryan pressed intelligently in the first 35 minutes. The former blocked passing lanes available for David Luiz while the latter did the same to Cesar Azpilicueta, thus encouraging balls to Gary Cahill. When any of the three centre-backs got near the half-way line, they would be closed down and forced to pass sideways in their own half.

More quality needed

As well-structured as the Red Devils were without the ball, their use of it was less impressive. This blog has generally been supportive of Paul Pogba, who produced one clever ball over the top that led to Mkhitaryan’s 12th minute effort, but the Frenchman was otherwise quiet. United posed little threat down the flanks with Ashley Young often cutting onto his right foot while Antonio Valencia showed great pace and athleticism but limited quality.

Hazard key for Chelsea

The Belgian exploded into life on 15 minutes after he pickpocketed Chris Smalling then drew a save from David De Gea, before the Spaniard was equally alert to keep out Cahill. Eden Hazard’s pace, trickery and ruthlessness allowed him to draw fouls off Marcos Rojo, Phil Jones and Ander Herrera. The latter was booked for persistent fouling, then sent off on 35 minutes for another challenge on the inverted winger.

United dropped deeper

The Mexican’s dismissal changed the dynamics of the game. Marouane Fellaini looked solid when he came on but without Mkhitaryan’s presence up top, the away side could not press as efficiently as they did at 11v11. If Rashford closed down one of the centre-backs, United would not have a central outlet, so the teenager became more static.

Chelsea’s patient probing

As a result of the above, Chelsea built more pressure in the opposing half and probed patiently after the break. The struck ahead when N’Golo Kante, not known for his goalscoring, placed a fine long range effort into the far corner with precision more than power. Willian grew into the game and turned to force a reflex save from De Gea, before his centre was narrowly missed by Diego Costa, who also headed over a near-post corner. Only wasteful Blues finishing combined with good last-ditch defending from the likes of Rojo and Jones denied them a bigger lead.

That one chance

Jesse Lingard replaced a committed but wasteful Young with nine minutes to go in Jose Mourinho’s only second half change. His reluctance to use substitutions suggested he was encouraging his players to hang on in the game and hope one chance would come to them before the end. In fact, their best chance had already come with half an hour to go when Rashford stole the ball off Luiz but hit it straight at Thibaut Courtois when one-on-one.

What it means

The academy graduate’s miss and the team’s failure to create chances prior to Herrera’s dismissal means the League Cup will be Manchester United’s only piece of domestic silverware this term. The other two on offer could be taken by Chelsea. Antonio Conte’s side need a maximum of eight more wins from 11 games to guarantee the Premier League crown and two from two to win the FA Cup, the first of which against Tottenham next month. If those two things are achieved after a 10th place finish last term, this will rank among the most impressive seasons in the club’s 112-year history.