Maurizio Sarri proved right with Chelsea vs Manchester United prediction after all

It took just five minutes for the Chelsea fans to voice their feelings for Manchester United and their current mire.

“You’re fucking shit, you’re fucking shit, you’re fucking shit, you’re fucking shit, you’re fucking shiiiiiit.”

What a way to welcome back the Special One, winner of three Premier League titles and four cups in his two spells at Stamford Bridge.

Programme notes

Maurizio Sarri, the incumbent in the home dugout, was more gracious, welcoming Jose Mourinho back to his old stomping ground and explaining his predecessor’s “important place in the history of this club” in his programme notes.

It was the Italian’s next line which was more baffling.

“I expect a very good game this afternoon.”

Really, Maurizio? Most who have been watching United this season and Mourinho for many before that expected anything but.  

Despite United’s attacking line-up on paper – a 4-2-3-1 with Juan Mata, Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford supporting Romelu Lukaku – it became clear soon after that expletive ridden chant by Chelsea fans that Mourinho had no intention of taking Sarri on at his own expansive game.

Targeting Hazard

Clatter. Ashley Young flew into Eden Hazard hard and late. Bang! Thirty seconds later, Nemanja Matic did the same.

It was a recurring theme throughout the first half, with United’s players intent on stopping the Premier League’s early player of the season by any means possible.

Thwack! Young clattered the Belgian’s ankles, earning himself a yellow card. Smash! Matic went in again. Booked.

There are plenty of banners dotted around this ground for former players. “JT: Captain, Leader, Legend.” “Super Frankie Lampard” and so on.

Matic didn’t earn himself any adoration as he thundered around in the autumn sunshine.

“Chelsea reject, Chelsea reject, woah oh oh,” the home fans jeered as he fouled again.

Wrecking tactics

In fact, United’s players seemed so intent on stopping Chelsea’s attacking instincts that they almost forgot to use any of their own in the first half.

Marcus Rashford was sat deep, tasked with halting Marcos Alonso’s forays down the wing. Juan Mata, another Chelsea old boy, twice player of the year here in fact, was rarely seen more than five yards away from Jorginho, made to man mark the pass master at the base of Chelsea’s midfield.

“Park the bus, park the bus Man United,” was surely the next song on the lips of those watching on from the Shed End. But they didn’t need to mock: they had some cheering of their own to do as Antonio Rudiger, left in acres of space by Paul Pogba, smashed home a header from Willian’s corner.

That early goal, coming after just 21 minutes, presented a problem for Mourinho. With over an hour to play and a goal down, his side could hardly afford to continue playing negatively if he was to leave Stamford Bridge with anything more than zero points, a continuation of his dire record at this ground as the away manager.

Comeback and carnage

But, unlike the previous second-half comeback against Newcastle a fortnight ago, it was a stroke of fortune that got United back in this game rather than any change of mindset.

With the ball ricocheting around the Chelsea box and Marcos Alonso down hurt, the ball landed at Anthony Martial’s feet for an easy finish past Kepa Arrizabalaga.

With a new sense of urgency, United looked in the ascendancy and made it count soon after. With Luiz going full PlayStation mode, Mata capitalised on the defender’s poor positioning and found Rashford who passed to Martial in space. The Frenchman’s first touch was poor but his second was sumptuous, firing the ball past Kepa’ right hand and into the far corner for his and United’s second.

It was the United fans’ turn to chant now.

“Jose Mourinho, Jose Mourinho, Jose Mourinho, Jose Mourinhooooo.

It seemed like the old master was back, doing what he does best: grinding out a win, somehow, anyho.

But then Barkley struck at the death, sparking carnage on the touchline as Mourinho clashed with an over enthusiastic Chelsea staffer.

Turns out Sarri was right after all. It really was a very good game.

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