Another game, another defeat for Manchester United,who are going through one of the darkest periods in their history: today Chelsea(with Palestra making his first start) win 2-0at Stamford Bridge thanks to goals from Rogers (50') and Palmer (64'),despite a good first half from the Red Devils.
That makes it 9 games without a win for Manchester United: their worst run at this stage of a season since 1988/89. This season, the club have managed just two wins, against Ipswich and Sabah, the latter in September. United remain one point above the relegation zone, but have played a game more.
Man United have also failed to win any of their first seven away gamesin all competitions in a season for the first time since 1973/74, when they were last relegated.
Chelsea start better, keeping possession and even finding the netthrough Estêvão, but the Brazilian is offside. Unitedexploit the space behind the Blues and squander several chances: B. Fernandes fires over inside the box, Cunha takes a poor touch when he could have been through on goal, and Mbeumo arrives a fraction too late to meet a ball flashed across the box.
Carrick's side grow in confidence, largely thanks to Amad Diallo, who repeatedly troubles the defence. In the 34th minute, they even take the lead: a close-range header from Cunhaafter Maguire nods the ball on from a corner. United celebrate, but VAR spots another offside. It stays 0-0.
There is still plenty of drama before the break. Chelseahit the postthrough an accidental deflection off Caicedo, though there was a handball in the build-up anyway, while Diallowins the ball yet again and fires overfrom a great position.
The lack of concentrationseen against Bournemouth (and not just them) resurfaces early in the second half: Rogersreceives the ball from Lavia in the 50th minute, beats Maguirewith surprising ease and lifts it over Lammenswith a delicate touch to make it 1-0.
United still have time to respond. Bruno Fernandes delivers an inviting ball to the far post, but Cunha misses it when the slightest touch would have been enough. It is their last real chance to put things right.
Then comes the red card for Lisandro Martínez, and the game changes for good. In the 59th minute, he picks up a booking for stopping Rogers, then four minutes later he clatters into Fofana following a corner. VARcalls the referee over, and a penaltyis awarded along with a second yellow. Carrick does not even look at the defender as he leaves the pitch.
Palmer's penalty is poor, but Lammens cannot keep it out. In the 64th minute, it is 2-0, with Chelsea now also a man up.
Maguire then denies Palmer an almost certain goal,and in the 71st minute Estêvão makes it 3-0with a fine strike into the top corner. VAR, however, spots a marginal offsideand rules out another goal for the Brazilian, after his first-half effort was also disallowed.
The final moment of drama comes from United, as Mbeumo hits the bar from outside the box: even luck is against Carrick'sside, and he could (perhaps) be "sacked in the morning", as one of England's most famous football chants goes.
This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇮🇹 here.
