Manchester United held Chelsea to a 1-1 draw in a Premier League encounter held at Old Trafford on Thursday evening.
Cristiano Ronaldo had an early chance and it would have been one for the scrapbook. Nemanja Matic hooked the ball back into the area after Chelsea cleared a corner. It was nodded on to Ronaldo who attempted the spectacular with an overhead kick ut it was off-target.
In response, Chelsea launched a blistering breakaway after Ronaldo went down in the box to half-hearted appeals from the United fans, not even the striker appealed. Havertz got in behind and into the area before shooting wide.
In the 60th minute, the visitors finally grabbed the opener. The Blues worked the ball out to James on the right-winger with the wingback having plenty of time to pick out a cross which was flicked on by Havertz to Alonso. The Spaniard volleyed the ball past De Gea to hand Thomas Tuchel’s men the lead at Old Trafford.
The Red Devils responded immediately through Ronaldo. N’Golo Kante gave the ball away in the Chelsea half before Matic attempted to play Ronaldo in. His pass was deflected up over the visitors’ defence but run perfectly for Ronaldo, who took one touch to control and then crashed a shot high into the net.
The results mean Manchester United cannot finish above Chelsea in the Premier League.
If United win their final three matches, they will equal their worst-ever points haul for a Premier League season.
Standings
The Red Devils remain sixth on the log with 55 points, five off the top four.
Player ratings:
Man Utd: De Gea (7), Dalot (5), Lindelof (6), Varane (6), Telles (5), Matic (7), McTominay (6), Elanga (6), Fernandes (6), Rashford (5), Ronaldo (8).
Subs: Jones (6), Mata (6), Garnacho (N/A)
Chelsea: Mendy (6), Azpilicueta (6), Silva (6), Rudiger (6), James (8), Jorginho (6), Kante (7), Alonso (7), Mount (7), Werner (6), Havertz (5).
Subs: Lukaku (6), Pulisic (6), Loftus-Cheek (N/A)
Man of the match: Reece James
