After Chelsea and Manchester United played out a break-taking clash at Stamford Bridge, Daily Star Sport considers what Erik ten Hag did right and wrong
Manchester United conceded two goals in injury time as Chelsea, miraculously, won 4-3 at Stamford Bridge.
Mauricio Pochettino’s side dominated United in the opening stages and roared into a deserved two goal lead. Conor Gallagher’s third minute strike put the Blues on their way, before Cole Palmer lashed home an emphatic penalty after Marc Cucurella was brought down by Antony.
However, as they have done so many times this season, the West Londoners self-destructed. Moises Caicedo’s loose pass was seized by Alejandro Garnacho, who drove forward and slotted home to halve the deficit.
Nerves immediately set into the Blues and within five minutes, United were back level. A wonderful cross from Diogo Dalot found Bruno Fernandes, who headed back across Djordje Petrovic and into the bottom corner.
Chelsea and United both had their chances in the second-half, but it was the Red Devils who took the lead. A stupendous, outside of the boot cross from Antony perfectly found Garnacho, who beat the hesistant Petrovic to the ball with his head.
However, Dalot fell into Noni Madueke in the penalty area and conceded a late spot kick. After Palmer slotted home his second goal from the spot, United were left to rue their clumsiness in the penalty area.
As they looked back on two points dropped, they suddenly found themselves with none at all, as Palmer received a short corner and watched his 20 yard effort hit Scott McTominay’s chest and bounce past Onana – Daily Star Sport considers Ten Hag’s decisions at Stamford Bridge.
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Dropping Rashford
He has been Manchester United’s go-to man for close to nine years, but Ten Hag made the decision to drop the England international. Before the game, the Dutchman said Rashford was being rested for this weekend’s clash against Liverpool, saying: “I decided for Marcus Rashford on the bench for rotation to keep him and the team fresh through a busy period with another big game on Sunday.”
It looked be the right decision, as Garnacho also looked more dangerous cutting onto his right foot from the left-hand side. Unfortunately
Keeping the wingers high
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Considering the openness of the game, Ten Hag looked at Pochettino’s approach and said ‘I’ll raise you’. Antony and Garnacho were given the freedom to stay as high up the pitch as possible.
In the first-half, both wingers hugged the by-lines to ensure they had as much space as possible to dribble into. Unfortunately for United’s defence, Dalot and Wan-Bissaka were left to single handily deal with Palmer and Mudryk – something no full-back would want.
First half recovery
Nobody could have guessed what United’s tactics were in the first 25 minutes. They counterattacked, but still had more possession. Sat back, but left their wingers high up the pitch.
There were many large gaps in the middle of the pitch for Gallagher, Palmer and Fernandez to drift into, allowing Chelsea far too many opportunities to play around with the ball in front of the United box. It looked like the defence and the frontline were told two different strategies, while the midfield were given the freedom to choose which team they preferred.
When Chelsea scored the second, United clicked into gear, aggressively pressing the Blues. It was this shift in intensity which saw Garnacho force the error out of Caicedo to drag United back into the match. If we are to criticise Ten Hag for the initial disorganisation, it’s right to praise the quick recovery before half-time.
Targeting Caicedo
Caicedo has not looked anything like the midfielder who was so dominant for Brighton and Hove Albion last season. United looked to press the Ecuadorian every time he received a ball into feet.
While Caicedo’s pass in the build-up to United’s first was careless, the goal would not have happened had Garnacho not chased down his pass. Ten Hag has often been criticised for not being able to spot opposition weaknesses.
His strategy in the closing stages of the opening 45 minutes was measured to perfection – if only they remembered it in injury time.
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