Chelsea 1-0 Manchester United PLAYER RATINGS: Alvaro Morata proved his worth as Romelu Lukaku failed to shine at Stamford Bridge

  • Alvaro Morata (8) scored a world-class header to seal all three points for Chelsea
  • Opposing striker Romelu Lukaku (4.5) had little influence on his return to London
  • Andreas Christensen (8.5) impressed with a very calm performance at the back

Chelsea saw off Manchester United with a well-deserved 1-0 win which served as an early blow to United's Premier League title hopes.

Alvaro Morata's wonderful second half header was enough to take all three points in a game where Jose Mourinho set his side up to frustrate their hosts.

Sportsmail's Kieran Gill rates the performances from Stamford Bridge.

Alvaro Morata timed his jump perfectly to power a header into the top corner of the net

Alvaro Morata timed his jump perfectly to power a header into the top corner of the net


CHELSEA (3-4-1-2)

THIBAUT COURTOIS- 7.5

Did not do a whole lot wrong. Denied Fellaini in the 90th minute with an instinctive save. Wasn’t tested as much as United would have liked.

CESAR AZPILICUETA – 8

Five assists for Morata from Azpilicueta this season now. Showed his pace in a foot race with Rashford and produced a delightful cross for Chelsea to take the lead.

ANDREAS CHRISTENSEN – 8.5

David Luiz’s 21-year-old replacement was thrown in the deep end. Played well under pressure. Was ice cool and composed when called upon.

Andreas Christensen impressed with a calm performance at the heart of Chelsea's defence 

Andreas Christensen impressed with a calm performance at the heart of Chelsea's defence 

GARY CAHILL – 7

The visiting attackers were largely kept quiet. Chelsea’s back three looked comfortable together. 

DAVIDE ZAPPACOSTA – 6

Struggled to have an influence when charging down the right. Couple of crosses left his team-mates unhappy. Needs more confidence.

N’GOLO KANTE – 8

Appearing for Chelsea for the first time since September. Played aggressively in the centre of the pitch and showed his influence.

N'Golo Kante (left) returned to the starting line-up with a trademark performance  

N'Golo Kante (left) returned to the starting line-up with a trademark performance  

TIEMOUE BAKAYOKO – 7.5

The man with blue hair was given lots of licence to go forward by Conte. Needs to practise his shooting, however.

MARCOS ALONSO – 7

Neither Zappacosta nor Alonso had much joy on the wings in the first half but the latter grew into the game in the second. 

EDEN HAZARD – 7.5

Another one who was roughed up as the visitors seemed to specifically target him. Plenty of adventurous runs and behind a series of attacks.

Eden Hazard looked sharp for the visitors despite receiving some close attention 

Eden Hazard looked sharp for the visitors despite receiving some close attention 

CESC FABREGAS – 8

Should have scored when following up a Hazard effort in the first half, instead hitting the side netting. Creative influence throughout, however. 

ALVARO MORATA – 8

Worked hard. Given rough treatment with plenty of shirt pulling but found space and perfectly placed his header into the corner. The match winner. 

Subs: Rudiger 6 (for Zappacosta, 66), Drinkwater (for Fabregas, 79), Willian (for Hazard, 86)

Scorers: Morata (55)

Booked: Bakayoko

MANAGER: Antonio Conte – 7

Found it frustrating to see good chances go to waste, even giving a medical bag behind him a kicking. But Chelsea were the better side and deserved the win.

Antonio Conte celebrates with the home-crowd following his side's well-deserved win 

Antonio Conte celebrates with the home-crowd following his side's well-deserved win 

 

MANCHESTER UNITED (3-4-1-2)

DAVID DE GEA – 7

Kept busy. Denied Hazard three times overall but had no chance with Morata’s header. His defence let him down for the goal. 

ERIC BAILLY – 5

Tasked with man-marking Hazard but no-one was near Morata for his free header to give Chelsea the lead. Bailly was closest. Criminal defending.

PHIL JONES – 5.5

Got away with sticking the ball in the back of his own net as a debatable free-kick was given. Poor positioning at times. 

Phil Jones had a difficult afternoon at the heart of Manchester United's defence 

Phil Jones had a difficult afternoon at the heart of Manchester United's defence 

CHRIS SMALLING – 5

Gareth Southgate said he cannot pass it out from the back. Not given much chance to prove him wrong here. Was distracted by the run of Bakayoko in the goal, leaving Morata free behind. 

ANTONIO VALENCIA – 5

Limited input in this game. Not given as many opportunities to drive forward as he would have liked.

ANDER HERRERA – 5.5

Got the nod ahead of Fellaini. Knows how to get under an opponents’ skin. Spent a lot of time on the ground.

NEMANJA MATIC – 5.5

Given a large cheer by Chelsea’s supporters when name was read out. United are seriously missing Pogba in midfield in truth.

Nemanja Matic rarely ventured forward as he sat in front of United's back-line 

Nemanja Matic rarely ventured forward as he sat in front of United's back-line 

ASHLEY YOUNG – 5

Performances this season have won him a place in the latest England squad. Didn’t show it here. 

HENRIKH MKHITARYAN – 4.5

The so-called midfield magician performed a disappearing act. He has struggled lately and put in a lacklustre performance here. Lost possession in build-up to the opener. 

ROMELU LUKAKU – 4.5

Back against his old club. Quiet, with a first-half shot from distance as dangerous as he got.

MARCUS RASHFORD – 6

Had a chance with a header which landed on the roof of the net and created some chances for himself. Often surrounded by Chelsea markers.

Marcus Rashford cut a frustrated figure for much of the game with very little influence 

Marcus Rashford cut a frustrated figure for much of the game with very little influence 

Subs: Martial 6 (for Jones, 62), Fellaini 5.5 (for Mkhitaryan, 62), Lingard (for Young, 78) 

Booked: Jones, Herrera, Fellaini

MANAGER: Jose Mourinho – 5

More attacking than they were at Anfield but tactics didn’t work. Chelsea particularly won the midfield battle.

Jose Mourinho suffered a difficult return to Stamford Bridge as his side failed to score 

Jose Mourinho suffered a difficult return to Stamford Bridge as his side failed to score 

 

REFEREE: Anthony Taylor – 5

Controversial calls. None more so than chalking off a Chelsea goal for a push on Jones. Struggled to keep control at times.

STAR MAN: Andreas Christensen   

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