Chelsea produced arguably their best performance of their season to overcome Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United to close the gap on Manchester City at the top of the Premier League. It was a display for the ages as no Chelsea player had a bad game so the three names that follow on this Man of the Match shortlist are the best of the best in blue.
3. N’Golo Kante
The Frenchman returned to the Chelsea line up with a bang on Sunday and it doesn’t seem like his hamstring injury has affected him in any way. He was his usual self; combative, creative and tireless in midfield as the Blues gave the Red Devils no time to think. He stifled out attacks at source right across the pitch and reduced Henirkh Mkhitaryan to a handful of touches before the Armenian was substituted on the 62-minute mark. Gary Neville said afterwards that United ‘were killed in midfield’ and this man was one of the reasons why along with his compatriot, Tiemoue Bakayoko who provided power to Kante’s guile.
2. Alvaro Morata
The match winner on this occasion did so much more than score the only goal of the game. He gave the United defence a torrid time with his devilishly good movement and strong hold up play. Was adjudged to have fouled Phil Jones when the English defender had put into his own net in the opening stages of the game but replays showed that there was very little contact between the two as Jones powered the ball past David De Gea. For the rest of the first half, he continued to threaten the Manchester United backline, constantly running in behind and coming short to bring others into play – it really was a perfect demonstration of a complete forward. It was at the start of the second half where he made his impact on the score line and magnificently headed the Blues in front. Cesar Azpilicueta provided him with yet another immaculate cross and Morata promptly headed it into the far corner, leaving De Gea rooted to the spot. The Spaniard often relieved his side of late United pressure and made a vital contribution in his own half as he headed Marcus Rashford’s goal-bound free kick over his own goal.
1. Cesc Fabregas
Probably the main reason why Chelsea won this game. Cesc Fabregas thrived in the open spaces that Ander Herrera and Henrikh Mkhitaryan left behind them to create a hat full of chances for his teammates. He dictated the tempo of a game that the Blues dominated for the majority, saying afterwards that he much prefers it when his side have the greater share of possession. The Spaniard almost grabbed a goal for himself when he headed wide from close range, only to see the offside flag up for an infringement earlier on in the move. The only thing that the playmaker could’ve done better in was his set pieces; he found the first man on most occasions – that first man being Nemanja Matic. He didn’t give the former Chelsea man a moment to think when United were in possession and pressed the Serb and the rest of the United midfield. He knicked the ball off Marouane Fellaini on the edge of the Chelsea box but Chelsea couldn’t capitalise. Nevertheless, it’s Cesc who claims top prize this week.
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