'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
The brief dull time in the life of Premier League aficionados is about to end as action returns the coming week. The weekend will start off with a bang as Chelsea and Manchester United renew their rivalry on 20 October at the Stamford Bridge.
The Blues have got off to a flier this season under the guidance of Maurizio Sarri, having won 6 and drawn 2 of their eight matches. Their latest victory was the 3-0 drubbing of Southampton where Hazard, Barkley, and Morata netted a goal-a-piece.
United, on the other hand, pulled off the most enthralling of comebacks at Old Trafford against Newcastle United in their previous match. After being 0-2 down in the first half, Juan Mata scored with a sublime freekick while Martial and Sanchez scored a goal each in the 2nd half to snatch the win. This match probably saved Mourinho's job amid rumours of him being sacked. The victory is sure to give confidence to The Red Devils as they look to claw their way back to the top of the table.
United have 4 wins, 1 draw, and 3 losses out of their 8 matches so far in this season and are placed at the 8th position. It will be the 181st meeting between Manchester United and Chelsea when the two lock horns the coming Saturday.
Following is their all-time head to head record:
Matches won by Manchester United: 77
Matches won by Chelsea: 54
Matches drawn: 49
None of the previous 5 matches between the two sides has ended in a draw. Here are the previous 5 matches between the two teams:
#5 Manchester United 0-1 Chelsea (19 May 2018, FA Cup Final)
The coveted FA Cup trophy was up for grabs and both United and Chelsea were keen on getting the last piece of silverware of the season. It was a crucial game as both the teams were trophyless coming into it.
A goal by Eden Hazard in the 21st minute -- from the penalty spot -- is what separated the two teams in the end. With Romelu Lukaku not fully fit, Marcus Rashford got his opportunity to create an impact but he could not make the most of it.
Alexis Sanchez tried to come to the rescue of The Red Devils with a few shots on target but could not find the back of the net. A lacklustre midfield added to United's misery as they finished runners-up.
#4 Manchester United 2-1 Chelsea (25 February 2018, Premier League)
This encounter between the two was a cracker of a match. A netbuster by Willian gave Chelsea the lead in the 32nd minute before Romelu Lukaku canceled it out with a goal in the 39th. The nail-biting match got even more exciting in the 2nd half. It was The Belgian International's day as after scoring one for United, he helped them get another by assisting Jesse Lingard in the 75th minute. A Premier League classic, this one.
#3 Manchester United 0-1 Chelsea (05 November 2017, Premier League)
Chelsea's Alvaro Morata got to be the star on the day as he scored the solitary goal of the match as Antonio Conte and his trooped emerged victorious. After a 0-0 stalemate in the first half, it was Cesar Azpilicueta's sensational cross which met Morata's head in the 55th minute that broke the deadlock.
The Blues were certainly the better team on the day which witnessed some breathtaking end-to-end play and certainly deserved more goals.
#2 Manchester United 2-0 Chelsea (16 April 2017, Premier League)
It was a crucial game for Conte's Chelsea and a win would have given them a 7-point cushion over 2nd placed Tottenham with six matches to play in the season. However, Marcus Rashford and Ander Herrera of United were there to spoil the party and did not let Chelsea breathe easy. Ibrahimovic was the star performer for United that season and the team was relying on him to get goals.
With Zlatan rested, the other strikers (Jesse Lingard and Rashford) had the chance to shine and they did not disappoint. Rashford scored early on in the first half while Herrera doubled their lead in the 49th minute to seal the fate of the match. This win for United helped Tottenham gain ground in the title race that season.
#1 Manchester United 0-1 Chelsea (13 March 2017, FA Cup)
N’Golo Kante's 51st-minute strike from the edge of the box proved to be decisive in this match. It was a closely contested tie with both the teams giving it their all to secure a place in the semifinals of the FA Cup.
Chelsea had the early advantage as Ander Herrara was sent off in the 35th minute itself. However, no matter what Mourinho tried to change, it was just not his and United's night. Chelsea's custodian Thibaut Courtois was also excellent on the day and pulled off some crucial saves.
A staggering fact is that Chelsea have not lost to The Red Devils at home since October 2012. The Blues lost on just 3 out of the previous 18 occasions the two giants of the Premier League clashed. It will be interesting to see how the two teams fare in the upcoming encounter.
There are some more eagerly awaited matches coming up as Tottenham will square off with West Ham while Arsenal face Leicester City this weekend.
Will Mourinho be able to end his former club's dream start to the season? Do share your opinion in the comments section below.
