Chelsea beat 10-man Manchester United 2-0 to extend Red Devils’ winless run to 9 games

By Halis Sunnetci

ISTANBUL (AA) - Chelsea defeated 10-man Manchester United 2-0 at Stamford Bridge on Saturday in Week 9 of the English Premier League, extending the visitors’ winless run to nine matches across all competitions, their longest since 1988.

Morgan Rogers opened the scoring early in the second half before Cole Palmer doubled Chelsea’s advantage from the penalty spot after United defender Lisandro Martinez was sent off for a second yellow card.

The defeat increased the pressure on United head coach Michael Carrick, whose side entered the match in 16th place with seven points from eight league games, just one point above the relegation zone.

In the 200th meeting between the two clubs across all competitions, United created several opportunities in the first half but failed to capitalize.

Bruno Fernandes squandered a clear chance in the 19th minute, firing over the crossbar after Bryan Mbeumo played him through on goal.

Matheus Cunha then had a goal ruled out for offside following a VAR review in the 34th minute.

Chelsea nearly broke the deadlock in the 42nd minute when a deflected effort involving Moises Caicedo struck the post.

A minute later, Amad Diallo missed a golden opportunity for United, lifting his shot over Chelsea goalkeeper Mike Penders and the crossbar when through on goal.

Pedro Neto also went close for Chelsea shortly before halftime, but his angled effort went narrowly wide as the teams entered the break goalless.

The hosts took the lead in the 50th minute when Romeo Lavia won possession in midfield and released Rogers, who surged past United’s defenders before delicately chipping the ball over goalkeeper Senne Lammens.

United’s situation worsened in the 63rd minute when Lisandro Martinez received a second yellow card after a VAR review found he had elbowed Wesley Fofana inside the penalty area.

Palmer converted the resulting penalty a minute later, despite Lammens getting a hand to the ball, to extend Chelsea’s lead to 2-0.

Chelsea appeared to score a third goal in the 72nd minute when Estevao finished a counterattack with a powerful shot, but the effort was ruled out for offside.

United nearly pulled a goal back in second-half stoppage time when Mbeumo struck a powerful shot from outside the penalty area that hit the crossbar.

Chelsea climbed to fourth place with 16 points, while Manchester United remained 16th with seven points.

Halis Sünnetci