4 Things We Learned From Manchester United 2-1 Chelsea

4 Things We Learned From Manchester United 2-1 Chelsea
16:07, 25 Feb 2018

Manchester United came from behind to beat Chelsea 2-1, as the Red Devils moved back to second in the Premier League thanks to goals from Romelu Lukaku and Jesse Lingard.

Willian had given Chelsea the lead in the first-half, but it wasn't to be for the Blues as they failed to hold on, and a defeat sees them drop to fifth place following Tottenham Hotspur's later win over Crystal Palace earlier in the day.

Here are four things we learned from Old Trafford.

1. Lukaku Shines On Big Occasion

Romelu Lukaku produced one of his best Manchester United performances on Sunday afternoon, as having netted the first goal for the Red Devils, the Belgian international then manufactured an exquisite cross for Jesse Lingard’s goal, which ultimately proved the winner at Old Trafford.

Lukaku has often been referred to as a flat-track bully, as he has steamrollered “lesser” opposition, but been unable to show his best against any of the “top-six” sides, but Lukaku showed that he can produce the goods on the big stage with a man-of-the-match performance.

Having seen his side go behind, Lukaku then produced a neat finish to equalise for United, as having received the ball from Anthony Martial, he then managed to elegantly move his feet to provide a shooting chance, and he slotted the ball past Thibaut Courtois.

Then in the second half, he found himself on the right-hand side, and duly picked out a pinpoint cross to meet the surging Lingard, who coolly headed home to hand United the winner, and just show that Lukaku has the attributes to perform on the big stage.

2. Giroud Should Be Given Chance Over Morata

Alvaro Morata was handed a start by Antonio Conte, but the Spanish international yet again fluffed his lines in front of goal, and it has to see the Italian boss make a switch at the business end of the field, with Olivier Giroud taking over from the former Real Madrid striker.

With Hazard leading the line on occasions this season just emphasising the fact that Conte isn’t completely taken with Morata as the focal point up front, his confidence in the striker would’ve taken another blow on Sunday, as Morata failed to put the ball in the back of the net again.

Morata missed a golden opportunity in the first few minutes of the game, as he failed to convert Marcos Alonso’s driven cross from the left-hand side, as having found himself some space six yards out, Morata volleyed the ball on to the crossbar, when he should’ve given the impressive Chelsea an early advantage.

With Hazard and Willian looking the bright sparks going forward for Chelsea it now has to come the time where Giroud, a recent recruit from Arsenal, is given a chance up top for a number of games as the Blues look to cement a top-four spot in the closing months of the season

3. Willian Continues To Sparkle For Blues

Eden Hazard has been earning all the plaudits from Blues fans in recent weeks, and the Belgian star is rightly being touted as the Blues premier player, but in Willian they have a man in fine form, and the Brazilian star enhanced his lofty reputation again this afternoon with a fine display.

His goal-scoring form continued, as having netted a brace against Hull City in the FA Cup, and then followed that up with a goal against Barcelona in the Champions League in midweek, Willian was amongst the goals again, and his interplay with the aforementioned Hazard unlocked a shaky United defence.

Hazard’s delicious through ball wiped out the United rearguard, and with only David De Gea to beat, Willian rifled home to give Chelsea the lead, and while some could have questioned De Gea’s attempt at saving the ball, the combination of Hazard and Willian blossomed again, with the latter of that pair proving why he should be a regular starter.

4. Lightweight Pogba Needs To Question Himself

Paul Pogba was recalled to the Manchester United starting line-up by Jose Mourinho, but the Frenchman is sure to come in for more criticism after his meek attempt of winning a header on the edge of Chelsea’s area, and then the Blues duly going up the other end of the pitch, and grabbing the opening goal of the game.

United fans are used to seeing their central midfield players showing a real love for a battle, but I hope for Pogba’s sake he doesn’t bump into Roy Keane in the coming weeks, as the former combative midfielder will be ready to unleash a scathing attack on the 24-year-old for his lack of drive to win the ball back.

As the ball went into the air on the 18-yard box, Pogba showed no will whatsoever to challenge Victor Moses for the ball, and as Chelsea broke, Pogba elected to pick up his stray boot, as the Blues stormed up the pitch to score.

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