CHELSEA versus Manchester United used to be a calendar highlight. In addition to being an occasional trophy decider, in the distant past it was one of the first games a fan of either club would look at on their fixture list for the coming season. There was star quality about the teams, there was fierce rivalry between the fans and they had a common bond in their dislike of opponents such as Arsenal and Liverpool.
The latest encounter was approaching “dead rubber” status, although United still have hopes of a Champions League place and Chelsea could, with more than a bit of luck, make a dash for the Conference League. Furthermore, if United beat Coventry City and Chelsea manage to upset Manchester City in the FA Cup semi-finals, this game could be a warm-up for the cup final. For that to happen, a lot would have to go right for both clubs in a season where two of English football’s most talked about institutions have had trouble looking in the mirror.
As well as late season points, the meeting of Chelsea and United was the latest chapter in the uncertain tale of two football coaches, Mauricio Pochettino and Erik ten Hag. Nobody would accuse any reporter, pundit or supporter predicting that neither will keep their jobs in 2024-25 as having Nostradamus-like powers. Their fortunes change game-by-game. Pochettino looks like he is in a job he doesn’t really fancy and Ten Hag’s future is being decided on a daily basis.
Against this background, everything just seemed so “temporary” at Stamford Bridge, from expensive misfits like Marc Cucurella, Enzo Fernández, Moisés Caicedo, Antony, Andre Onana and Mason Mount to the men pacing the technical areas.
Thankfully, Chelsea’s best piece of business last summer, the acquisition of Cole Palmer from Manchester City, continues to be the gift that keeps giving. Without him, Chelsea would be in a very worrying position rather than being stuck in nomansland all season. They went into a 2-0 lead inside 18 minutes thanks to goals from Conor Gallagher and a penalty from Palmer, but by the 38th minute, it was 2-2, with Chelsea’s defence very charitable towards Alejandro Garnacho and Bruno Fernandes.
It may have been entertaining stuff, but the quality was a little questionable and demonstrated that both sides are way behind the title-chasing trio at the top of the Premier League. In the 66th minute, United took the lead for the first and only time in the game, a brave header from Garnacho after Antony sent over an inviting cross. The media went overboard about this goal and a player who has yet to convince anyone he was a good value signing for United. Chelsea’s defence, not for the first time, was easily prised open.
Mason Mount, who departed Chelsea for United last year, entered the contest with four minutes remaining, allowing the unhappy home fan to wave the shirt he was brandishing throughout the game, labelling the former Blues’ number 19 as “Judas”. Mount, in 2022-23, was not the player that made him one of the Premier’s rising stars, largely because of injury and a loss of form. Chelsea received more than £ 50 million for the 24 year-old. Mount’s time at United has not been successful and has been plagued by injury.
Chelsea looked set for a defeat as the game drifted beyond 90 minutes. But in the 10th minute of added time, they were awarded another penalty after Noni Madueke was brought down by Diogo Dalot. Palmer levelled the scores and almost immediately, in the 101st minute of the game, he did it again, receiving the ball inside the area and shooting past Onana with the aid of a slight deflection.
A 4-3 win for Chelsea was the sort of outcome that might have left some fans believing that perhaps all is better than some critics claim, but the flaws were there for all to see. However, there are some signs that Chelsea may be getting it together – they are six games unbeaten and in Palmer, they have a gem that City may wish they discarded too easily. As for United, the result won’t make too much difference to the jury that has sat all season debating Erik ten Hag. Both sides still have the opportunity to end the campaign with a trophy, and if that happens, some of the frustration of 2023-24 will melt away.
GAME OF THE PEOPLE 