Chelsea were handed their first loss of the Premier League this season, as the Club World Cup holders slumped to a dismal 2-1 defeat at the hands of Manchester United at Old Trafford on Saturday. After the game, Chelsea centre-back Trevoh Chalobah was extremely critical of his team's performance, claiming that it was "the worst we've played all season."
Chelsea's winless streak at Old Trafford continues
Manchester United were the underdogs before they welcomed Chelsea at the Old Trafford, with Ruben Amorim's side aggregating a paltry figure of four points from their opening four Premier League games. However, United won 2-1 in a game which was marred by red cards, injuries and early substitutions. Saturday's defeat marked 13 games without a win at the Theatre of Dreams for Chelsea, the longest they have gone without a victory against any opposition on the road.
AdvertisementAFPChalobah urges team to 'raise our standards'
Chalobah reflected on the loss while speaking to and was critical of his team after he pulled one back for the visitors in the 80th minute. "It wasn't good enough from us as a club, the first 15 minutes was the worst we have played all season. We struggled in the first half," the defender said.
On playing with 10 men, he added: "Always difficult going to 10 men down. United were up for it and they put us under pressure. We have played in the Premier League long enough now so we just have to learn from this and move forward. Whether it is 10 men each, it is always difficult from 2-0 down. We need to reflect over not starting well and we need to raise our standards as a collective."
Records tumble as Chelsea handed Palmer bad news
United and Chelsea have delivered a lot of classics in the Premier League era, and Saturday's clash was no different. In the fifth minute, Robert Sanchez was shown a straight red for a mistimed challenge on Bryan Mbeumo in the 18-yard box. Soon after, the hosts pulled ahead thanks to Bruno Fernandes' 100th goal in United colours, as Blues boss Enzo Maresca was forced to make three substitutions inside a record 21 minutes. One of those three players brought off was Cole Palmer, who suffered an injury relapse in what will be a huge blow to Chelsea.
In the 37th minute, taking advantage of having an extra man, Amorim's side doubled their lead through a Casemiro header. However, the Brazilian received his second yellow card in the fifth minute of stoppage time, effectively leaving the second 45 minutes to be an even 10v10 contest. Consequently, the first half between United and Chelsea entered history books, as it was the first time a Premier League game saw at least two red cards, two goals, and two substitutions in the first half.
AFPWho are Chelsea's next opponents?
After three games without a win, which saw them draw to Brentford last weekend and lose 3-1 to Bayern Munich in the Champions League, Chelsea will be eager to return to winning ways when they lock horns with Lincoln City in the third round of the Carabao Cup on Tuesday.