CHELSEA 0-0 MANCHESTER UNITED
Willy Caballero kept Kepa Arrizabalaga out of Chelsea’s starting line-up for the second Premier League game in a row as the Blues hosted Manchester United.
Tammy Abraham missed out due to his ongoing ankle struggles, so Michy Batshuayi started up front, with Willian and Pedro on the flanks as Callum Hudson-Odoi was left out with a suspected hamstring problem.
Odion Ighalo was primed for his Manchester United debut off the bench after his move from China, with new recruit Bruno Fernandes again starting in midfield.
Chelsea XI: Caballero, James, Rudiger, Christensen, Azpilicueta, Jorginho, Kante, Kovacic, Pedro, Batshuayi, Willian
Manchester United XI: De Gea, Wan-Bissaka, Maguire, Bailly, Williams, Shaw, Matic, Fred, Fernandes, James, Martial
Chelsea news LIVE: Frank Lampard eyes ‘new Mesut Ozil’ transfer, exit agreement in place
Man Utd news LIVE: Ed Woodward prepared to sack Solskjaer, £50m transfer “tension” boost
- Midfielder N’Golo Kante forced off with an injury inside the opening 10 minutes
CHELSEA 0-0 MANCHESTER UNITED
33: He’s not short of confidence is Bruno Fernandes. The Portuguese midfielder collects the ball 30-yards from goal and fires wide.
30: Well, half-hour gone and it’s still goalless at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea have been the better side but still neither tea has mustered an effort on target. Plenty of huff and puff but no killer instinct in the final third.
28: Should be 1-0. Pedro releases Mason Mount with a clever reverse pass and the young midfielder crosses for Michy Batshuayi, who skies it from about eight yards away. Always leaning back.
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25: I suspect we’ll be debating that Harry Maguire kick for a good while after this match. You perhaps won’t be surprised to hear that Cesc Fabregas immediately tweeted “red” after the incident. Not much force on the kick but it did look painful.
22: Nice approach play from Anthony Martial and Daniel James, who play a neat one-two before the Frenchman curls one straight at Cesar Azpilicueta.
There’s a bit of controversy when Harry Maguire and Michy Batshuayi collide on the touchline. It looks like the Manchester United defender needlessly jabbed his foot into Batshuayi while on the deck – but VAR says no punishment.
19: Well it’s not often you see Aaron Wan-Bissaka bamboozled. Pedro manages to keep the ball from rolling over the byline and nips past the young right-back before crossing. Nobody in a blue shirt could meet the delivery.
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16: Bruno Fernandes, who’s not really featured much so far, drives into the area and lays it back for Fred. The midfielder can’t get a proper connection and Chelsea clear upfield.
13: That’s a massive blow for Frank Lampard as N’Golo Kante is forced off early with an injury. Mason Mount is being readied to come on – but he’s not ready! Frank Lampard and Jodie Morris have a few quizzical looks at each other.
10: Another effort from Chelsea, who have certainly shaded this opening 10 minutes. Mateo Kovacic feeds Willian, who curls over from 20-yards.
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Written by our reporter Jack Otway, at Stamford Bridge.
It’s the United fans who can be hard from the press box, serending their Chelsea counterparts with some chants about John Terry.
It was, after all, his penalty shootout miss which paved the way for the Red Devils to win the Champions League in 2008.
Chelsea fans have stuck to the old ‘Chelsea, Chelsea, Chelsea’ tunes. But, make no mistake about it, they want their side to win this one.
8: Close! Matteo Kovacic sets up an attack with a brilliant turn and burst of pace – the ball is then worked wide to Reece James, who takes a step and fires narrowly wide of David De Gea’s goal!
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5: Quite nervy. Manchester United are looking a touch vulnerable under pressure with Eric Bailly again hurrying the ball back to David de Gea to blast it upfield. Frank Lampard’s side doing a good job of pressing high.
3: Eric Bailly hasn’t started a match since April 2019, and it shows. The centre-back gets himself in a muddle when approaching the halfway line but Chelsea can’t capitalise down the left channel. It’ll be interesting to see which of the three defenders Michy Batshuayi targets this evening.
CHELSEA 0-0 MANCHESTER UNITED
1: And we’re underway folks! It’s a full house at Stamford Bridge. Good atmosphere but I must admit – I’m expecting a rather cagey affair with a number of defensive players on the field. 1-1 is my prediction.
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Chelsea vs Man Utd LIVE: Premier League score, team news and latest updates (Image: GETTY)
He picks his moments…
Well Paul Pogba’s agent Mino Raiola has certainly gone in studs up on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
The super agent has released a statement on Instagram/Twitter in response to Solskjaer’s comments during his press conference on Friday.
The statement is under the caption: “Paul is not mine and for sure not Solskjaer’s property, Paul is Paul Pogba’s.”
He wrote: “Paul is not mine and for sure not Solskjaer’s property, Paul is Paul Pogba’s. You cannot own a human being already for a long time in the UK or anywhere else. I HOPE Solskjaer DO NOT WANT TO SUGGEST THAT PAUL IS HIS PRISONER. ⠀
“BUT BEFORE Solskjaer makes comments about things I say he should inform himself better about the content of what has been said. ⠀
“I am a free citizen who can think and express my thoughts. Until now I was maybe to nice to him. Solskjaer should just remember things that he said in the summer to Paul.
I think Solskjaer may be frustrated for different reasons and is now mixing up some issues. I think that Solskjaer has other things to worry about. AT LEAST IF I WAS HIM I WOULD.”
I’ll have more on that at HT but I have a match to prepare for!
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Key Battles
Written by our reporter Jack Otway, at Stamford Bridge.
Both strikers have a point to prove tonight.
With Tammy Abraham out for Chelsea it gives Michy Batshuayi the perfect chance to prove whether he can lead the line in a game of such magnitude.
For United, Anthony Martial spearheads the side. And, with Odion Ighalo watching from the bench, he knows he must deliver.
It will be intriguing to see which of the two strikers impresses the most.
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The warm up
Written by our reporter Jack Otway, at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea players are now out, squatting and stretching on the right side of the Stamford Bridge pitch.
Not all United players out yet but David De Gea is.
He’s doing some drills with deputy Sergio Romero, while Nathan Bishop is also on the field.
Bishop was a transfer deadline day signing from Southend.
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Twitter round-up
Steve: I think Chelsea are here for the taking tonight. Nothing up top for them. Utd will obviously miss Marcus Rashford but they are more than capable of winning comfortably at the Bridge tonight.
Harry: Manchester United to win tonight, Chelsea’s team today (mainly the attacking players) looks woeful. Don’t see them scoring tonight, and their goalkeeper decision is a bit strange. Play the most expensive goalie in the world or just sell him!
Brad: Nice to see Lampard sticking faith with all one young English player tonight. This Chelsea v Man Utd fixture has all the makings of a mid-table classic.
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Key battles
Written by our reporter Jack Otway, at Stamford Bridge.
So N’Golo Kante and Bruno Fernandes both start for Chelsea and Manchester United.
And that could be where the game is won and lost, with both sides choosing to play three in the middle of the park.
Kante is widely regarded as one of the best holding midfielders on the planet, even if his form under Frank Lampard has been mixed.
Fernandes, meanwhile, clocked up more goals from central midfield than any player in world football last season.
So that’s a battle that promises to be enthralling on this cold night at Stamford Bridge.
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No revenge
I always find it odd when players say they aren’t out for revenge against a side who’s beaten them earlier in the season. Is it supposed to be a bad thing?
Anyway, N’Golo Kante insists Chelsea are solely focused on a top-four Premier League finish and not revenge against Manchester United.
United thrashed the Blues 4-0 on the season’s opening day at Old Trafford on August 11, Marcus Rashford firing a double and Anthony Martial and Daniel James also on target.
“We all know that Manchester United at home is a very difficult game, especially after what happened in the first game but we don’t look at this. We just look forward because we want to keep the gap and so that’s why we need to win, not to get revenge,” Kante said.
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Twitter round-up
David: What message is Frank Lampard trying to send out with this forward line?! I can’t see where the goals will come from tonight!
Ethan: Why are we dropping Kepa Arrizabalaga again!? Frank Lampard you’ve made your point; there’s no need to shoot yourself in the foot when he’s clearly our best GK!
Dwight: Why is Ole Gunnar Solskjaer starting five defenders? Is he trying to win or just draw this game?
Harry: Anyone who thinks this isn’t Manchester United’s best team with the players available are clueless. United lack wingers so it’s better to play with wing backs. Ighalo isn’t fit enough and Greenwood’s link up play is questionable. Good job to Solskjaer for this XI.
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Team news – Chelsea
Snap! Frank Lampard also makes three changes from the team that drew 2-2 with Leicester at the King Power Stadium.
Callum Hudson-Odoi, Mason Mount and Tammy Abraham all miss out with Willian, Mateo Kovacic and Michy Batshuayi coming in.
Interestingly Willy Caballero keeps his place between the sticks with the club’s record signing and top-earner Kepa Arrizabalaga among the substitutes.
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Team news – Manchester United
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer makes three changes from the side that drew 0-0 with Wolves all those days ago.
January signing Odion Ighalo is on the bench for Manchester United this evening after joining on loan from Shanghai Shenhua in a last-minute deal.
Fellow winter recruit Bruno Fernandes retains his place in midfield.
Defender Eric Bailly makes his first start since facing Chelsea at Old Trafford in April 2019. Victor Lindelof makes way for him.
Elsewhere Andreas Pereira and Juan Mata drop out with Brandon Williams and Nemanja Matic in the starting XI as Solskjaer starts with five at the back. A fluid five…
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Starting XI
And the team news arrives on time and there’s a few interesting inclusions. I’ll go through them shortly.
Chelsea XI: Caballero, James, Rudiger, Christensen, Azpilicueta, Jorginho, Kante, Kovacic, Pedro, Batshuayi, Willian.
Subs: Kepa,Alonso, Zouma, Tomori, Mount, Barkley, Giroud.
Manchester United XI: De Gea, Wan-Bissaka, Maguire, Bailly, Williams, Shaw, Matic, Fred, Fernandes, James, Martial.
Subs: Romero, Jones, Dalot, Mata, Pereira, Ighalo, Greenwood.
Chelsea vs Man Utd LIVE: Premier League score, team news and latest updates (Image: GETTY)
Chelsea vs Man Utd LIVE: Premier League score, team news and latest updates (Image: GETTY)
The standings…
So, 13 fixtures remaining for these sides to confirm their places in the Champions League next season. And things are going rather better for the team in blue…
After claiming just one point from a possible nine, Manchester United have slipped to ninth in the table ahead of tonight’s clash at Stamford Bridge.
But a win against Frank Lampard’s side will move the Red Devils back to within three points of the fourth-placed Blues, with fifth potentially opening up another route to the Champions League following Manchester City’s ban from European competition for the next two seasons.
Fourth-placed Chelsea can open up a nine-point Premier League lead on United with victory this evening. Stakes are high, ladies and gentlemen.
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Evening…
Hello everyone and welcome to our LIVE coverage of Chelsea vs Manchester United from Stamford Bridge.
Well… we’ve nearly survived it. No, not Storm Dennis – I’m talking about the Premier League’s inaugural Winter Break.
I do hope these players who have jetted to all corners of the globe have enjoyed themselves because it’s been a veritable nightmare for us.
So starved of football that I got unfathomably exited about Southampton vs Burnley on Saturday.
Anyway, we’ve got a cracking fixture to tuck into this evening with Frank Lampard and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer battling it out in west London. Standby for drama, mayhem and possibly a bit of team news…
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CHELSEA vs MANCHESTER UNITED
Tammy Abraham faces a late fitness test having missed several training sessions this week with an ankle problem.
Christian Pulisic (adductor) and Ruben Loftus-Cheek (Achilles) will both miss out, with neither man match fit despite being in training.
Deadline-day signing Odion Ighalo will be part of Manchester United’s squad. United fan Ighalo joined on loan until the end of the season on January 31 but has not been training at Carrington due to concerns about the coronavirus.
Nemanja Matic is available again after suspension, but Paul Pogba, Scott McTominay, Marcus Rashford and Axel Tuanzebe remain sidelined.
Referee: Anthony Taylor (Cheshire)
