Chelsea 0-2 Manchester United
In a repeat of last season’s FA Cup Final, this was the perfect way for Manchester United to gain a modicum of revenge.
Two regular adversaries went head-to-head, and United knocked out the title holders on their own turf – their first domestic cup victory over Chelsea since 2002 which predated the Roman Abramovich arrival.
After losing Anthony Martial and Jesse Lingard to injury when their Champions League tie against Paris Saint-Germain was goalless last week, United struggled.
Despite those absences, this FA Cup tie saw them rediscover their mojo as they ran out deserved winners.
Highlights of the game
Arguably the competition offering both sides with their best chance of silverware this season, this was a match which also pitted together two managers (home boss Maurizio Sarri and interim United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer) with uncertain futures.
One was under particular pressure, although Sarri’s side has not played particularly badly despite a couple of recent hammerings.
But for a fine double save from Sergio Romero, they may have had an early lead.
David Luiz’s free-kick beat the wall and forced the Argentina goalkeeper to keep the ball out before he then managed to beat away Pedro’s follow-up.
Minutes later, Gonzalo Higuain met Jorginho’s excellent delivery with a powerful header which flew narrowly wide. Margins like that can often decide games, and the next two headers provided two of the FA Cup 2019 highlights.
Just past the half-hour mark and Paul Pogba delivered a quite perfect ball. One of his midfield sparring partners, Ander Herrera, planted a header down and beyond Keza Arrizabalaga.
SBOBET observers will have known the next goal was crucial, and it arrived at a crucial time.
On the stroke of half-time, in fact.
Pogba played a 1-2 with Marcus Rashford and the seemingly rejuvenated Frenchman headed home the second from the superb return pass.
Into the second half and a fine tackle from Luke Shaw denied Pedro a likely goal, but many home fans seemed disillusioned and hardly encouraged their team by chanting ‘you don’t know what you’re doing’ at Sarri as the time ticked away.
Sportingly, they did applaud former favourite Juan Mata as he was substituted in the closing stages, while United also brought on a man with a liking for this competition in Alexis Sanchez, who recalled after injury.
Meeting in the FA Cup for the fifth time in six years, Chelsea rarely looked like becoming the first team to knock United out of five consecutive meetings.
The full-time whistle signalled jubilation for the away fans, and the FA Cup 2019 betting odds will make United second favourites for this competition, although they face another tricky test in the quarter-finals after being drawn away to Wolves.
As for Chelsea, Sarri deserves to be given time to lead out his side at Wembley in this weekend’s League Cup Final – he did guide them there, after all – although the media hullabaloo will argue otherwise.
One thing does seem certain, however.
Given the way the club has operated under Abramovich, it is hard to see Sarri still being in charge at Stamford Bridge next season.
Key statistics
Chelsea have lost six of their last 11 games in all competitions (won five, lost six), more defeats than they suffered in their previous 41 (won 28, drawn eight).
This was only the third Red Devils’ triumph in their last 23 away games against Chelsea.
This was the 64th time in less than 22 years that these two clubs have met, making it the most-played fixture between English sides since the start of the 1997-98 season.
The Red Devils have eliminated the FA Cup holders on an unrivalled 11 occasions.
Chelsea have only failed to score in two of their last 51 cup ties at Stamford Bridge – tonight and last season in the first leg of the League Cup semi-final vs Arsenal (0-0).
What’s next?
It’s another big one for United who entertain Liverpool on Sunday (February 24) before a tricky trip to Crystal Palace three days later.
Their busy Premier League schedule continues with a home match against Southampton on March 2.
Chelsea have the second leg of their Europa League tie with Malmo at Stamford Bridge on Thursday (February 21) – they have a 2-1 advantage from the first leg – and then face Man City at Wembley in the League Cup Final.
The West Londoners schedule is even more hectic as they then face two Premier League matches at home to Spurs and away to Fulham later that week.
●●●
CHECK OUT OUR BLOG FOR MORE FOOTBALL STORIES & ODDS
Stay updated with everything sports and betting.
Follow us on social Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
