Chris Sutton has criticised Manchester United striker Romelu Lukaku for being ‘bullied’ by both Andreas Christensen and Cesar Azpilicueta during his side’s 1-0 defeat to Chelsea.
The Belgium international was unable to make a real impact on the game, with Azpilicueta surprisingly dominating aerial battles against him throughout.
With David Luiz dropped from the match-day squad, Antonio Conte deployed Christensen alongside Azpilicueta and Gary Cahill at the heart of Chelsea’s backline and his side put in an assured defensive display.
After being kept largely quiet for 90 minutes, Lukaku extended his miserable run of failing to score for Manchester United to seven matches.
And Sutton took a swipe at the striker for his display at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
‘At 6ft 3in, Romelu Lukaku is one of the most physically imposing forwards in the Premier League,’ Sutton told the Daily Mail.
‘Yet he was bullied all afternoon by Andreas Christensen — on only his fourth league start for Chelsea — and Cesar Azpilicueta who is almost half a foot shorter.
‘The accusation levelled at Lukaku is that he does not turn up for the big games.
‘I do not like calling players out for a lack of effort but on this evidence, it is hard to argue.’
Mourinho, however, continued to defend the 24-year-old Belgian and insisted he’s ‘happy with him’.
‘I’m not reading stats,’ The Portuguese said after the loss. ‘I read the game on the bench – its different perspective.
‘It’s not mathematics – I’m happy with his effort, attitude, desire. He had good chance with shot and there was a good save.
‘He gives space, especially in later parts of game he creates space for Marcus Rashford – I am happy with him.’
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