Man United suffer third straight defeat as Chelsea pile pressure on Carrick
By Tosin Omojola
Chelsea capitalised on Manchester United’s second-half collapse to condemn the visitors to a third consecutive defeat and pile further pressure on manager Michael Carrick.
United are now without a win in nine matches across all competitions, their longest winless run since October-November 1988.
The latest defeat, their fourth in the Premier League this season, leaves United 16th in the table, just a point above the relegation zone, with under-fire Carrick facing mounting pressure barely days after being given another opportunity to turn around the club’s disappointing campaign.
Despite an encouraging first-half display, United’s defence fell apart five minutes after the restart when Morgan Rogers strolled through the heart of the backline unchallenged before calmly chipping the ball past the goalkeeper to give Chelsea the lead.
The hosts doubled their advantage 14 minutes later when Cole Palmer converted a penalty after the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) spotted Lisandro Martinez thrusting an arm into the face of Wesley Fofana while not looking at the ball.
Martinez was subsequently sent off after receiving a second yellow card, and Palmer’s successful spot-kick effectively ended the contest.
Chelsea could have added a third when winger Estevao, handed his first Premier League start of the season by Xabi Alonso, fired into the net. However, the goal was ruled out for a marginal offside.
