Chelsea see the podium move away and their place in the Champions League threatened after a defeat (2-0) against Manchester United who returned three points from the Blues, Monday, after the 26th day of the Premier League.
With 41 points, Chelsea are now 9 lengths behind Leicester 3rd, but look mainly behind where Tottenham (5th) returned a point, Sheffield United 2 and Manchester United 3. The Londoners have extended their bad habits at home by conceding a 5th loss Stamford Bridge this season, while the Red Devils, the only team to have hooked Liverpool in the league this season, has confirmed its ability to take points against the big guys.
Deprived of Tammy Abraham at kickoff and, after 10 minutes of play, N’Golo Kant, limping out, the men of Frank Lampard put a lot of energy but not enough quality into this match. They thus framed only one shot on 16, missing a big opportunity in the first period 0-0 by Michy Batshuayi (26th), preferred until the 68th minute Olivier Giroud in the lead.
Three major decisions
Chelsea will no doubt lie against the VAR for three major decisions and it will be right for two of them. First on a red card that was not given for a blow by Harry Maguire in the crotch of Batshuayi (22nd) and then on the cancellation of the equalization 1-1 of Kurt Zouma the 55th for a stroller by Cesar Azpilicueta on an adversary, whereas he had himself been pushed in the back by Fred.
When #Maguire kicks express in the genitals of #Batshuayi ?? @daznglobal#Soccer#CHEMUN#Chelsea#ManUnited#Manchester United#PremierLeaguepic.twitter.com/k4SzOVb7Yx– Sport Replay VOD (@SportReplayOff) February 17, 2020
VAR rules out Zouma goal for foul on Williams by Azpilicueta who had been pushed on to him by Fred. VAR all over the place. VAR turning atmospheres fractious. pic.twitter.com/x0Hk65Ev7g– The Fresh Prince (@aqramist) February 17, 2020
The third decision, the cancellation of a goal from a diving head by Olivier Giroud, eight minutes after his entry, which would have given them a goal from the Red Devils, for a tip-off offside remains questionable vis à vis the spirit of sport, but characteristic of a finicky interpretation of video arbitration.
#CHEMUN but canceled for #giroud ?? pic.twitter.com/wy0ICFyzCE– Mo Hitch (@moohitch) February 17, 2020
Manchester, on the other hand, was clinically realistic, scoring on its first two shots on target (out of 3). Two shots as beautiful as different: the first drop and all touch by Anthony Martial just before the break, after a good job by Aaron Wan-Bissaka on the right (1-0, 45th), the second a real shot helmet from Harry Maguire on a corner from Bruno Fernandes (2-0, 66th).
(Nxp / afp)
– .
