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Manchester United made light work of Chelsea with a comprehensive 4-0 victory, thereby inflicting a harsh lesson on Frank Lampard who took charge of his first Premier League game as a manager.
Against the run of play, Marcus Rashford rifled home from the spot to put the hosts ahead. During the same period, Tammy Abraham and Emerson were denied by the frame of goal even after beating David de Gea.
It looked like Chelsea were the more incisive and purposeful side, but Manchester United completely sucked the venom out of their opponents and latched onto the errors made by the Blues. Anthony Martial scored in the 65th minute, just 95 seconds before Marcus Rashford added United's third and his second to knock the stuffing out of the visitors.
The world's costliest defender, Harry Maguire, and fellow debutant Aaron Wan-Bissaka were enjoying their first outing at Old Trafford, before Daniel James decided to make the stage his own.
For large phases of the game, especially in the first 35-40 minutes, it was all Chelsea. By half-time, they had 55% possession of the ball, completed more passes than the opposition and launched more shots than United. However, they were caught out far too easily by a deadly counter-attacking approach followed by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Therefore, we analyze three reasons why Chelsea were hammered by the Red Devils.
#3 Indecisiveness in the final third
The Blues ran the pace of the game in midfield, so much so that Mateo Kovacic completed more passes in the opposition half in the first hour of the game than Paul Pogba and Scott McTominay combined.
Then, what proved to be the reason for the null character associated with the scoreline on Chelsea's side? It was indeed, their decision making in the advanced areas of the pitch.
It took just four minutes for Abraham's shot to rattle the cross bar. About six minutes later, the ball was laid well for the striker to poach a valuable goal. Regardless of his technical ability, the youngster must know that it is his instinct, appetite and running in the box that will make him world-class.
Another example of the above argument could be seen as Mason Mount, who worked his socks off, provided lazer-like passes and troubled the United midfield. However, when in front of goal, he barely tested the goalkeeper.
In the 31st minute, the starlet was through on goal down the right. There was a shot on offer courtesy of the space he had, but Mount instead decided to pull back to no man's land.
Likewise, throughout the game, Chelsea missed the killer pass.
#2 Lack of experience at the heart of defence
Irrespective of the defensive abilities and age factor concerning the now-departed David Luiz, it's important to note that his experience, leadership skills and ability to create a partnership with his fellow center back was dearly missed by Chelsea. Not to mention, Antonio Rudiger is still sidelined as well.
Andreas Christensen and Kurt Zouma were plotted in the middle, and to say the least, the pair probably experienced their worst outing in a blue shirt. Just when it looked like the away side were in control of the game, Zouma while playing out from the back, gave a pass to Martial, who fired tamely at Kepa. Matters worsened for the Frenchman when he aimlessly caught Marcus Rashford's trailing leg in the 18-yard box. The latter stepped up imperiously and gave his side the lead.
Christensen was tasked with Martial's run during the build-up to the second goal, but he remained in a zonal position, leaving Cesar Azpilicueta with herculean man-marking to do.
It'll take time for both these defenders who have astute abilities but Chelsea need Rudiger's experience and alertness to return.
#1 Inability to soak the counter-attack
Against a spirited Manchester United side, it was interesting to see how pragmatic and tactical Lampard's approach would be. However, inside the first five minutes, the likes of Pedro, Emerson, Mount and Abraham gave us a clear idea - they didn't arrive at Old Trafford to sit back.
The Blues looked far sharper than their counterparts, but what stung them deeper than anything else was how they were caught out during possession. Each goal constituted of a different type of schoolboy error, starting with Zouma, then Christensen and lastly, captain Azpilicueta.
Take nothing away from Manchester United, who were as brutal as it could get. But Chelsea had to, and will have to, defend in larger numbers in midfield against top quality oppositions.
Flair and flavor are two ingredients of the game that excite fans and everyone around, but tactical, defensive knowledge during possession is probably the most important deployment against Premier League sides.
