Morata’s goal gives Chelsea victory over United
Chelsea 1 Manchester United 0
Alvaro Morata’s second-half header earned Chelsea an impressive victory at Stamford Bridge.
Cesar Azpilicueta found his fellow Spaniard with a perfectly delivered cross from the right and an unmarked Morata finished emphatically.
It meant another losing return to the Bridge for former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho, whose United side were beaten there twice last season.
It also meant fourth-placed Chelsea went into the international break a point behind second-placed United and nine points behind leaders Manchester City.
Blues boss Antonio Conte axed David Luiz and was able to recall N’Golo Kante following the midfielder’s hamstring problem.
Kante, badly missed while sidelined, helped the home side secure a deserved three points.
Chelsea had a goal disallowed, Marcus Rashford had a decent chance for United and Tiémoué Bakayoko missed a sitter during a lively first half.
The Blues thought they had gone ahead when Phil Jones turned Marcos Alonso’s left-wing cross into his own net, but the United defender had been nudged in the back by Morata.
At the other end, Rashford headed over from Ashley Young’s left-wing cross.
Bakayoko, unchallenged, then wasted a glorious chance to put Chelsea ahead when he shot wide from nine yards out after Davide Zappocosta’s right-wing cross ricocheted into the Frenchman’s path.
Bakayoko almost atoned with low shot United keeper David De Gea dived to his right to push away.
Chelsea keeper Thibaut Courtois then produced a similar save to keep out a left-footed strike from former Chelsea man Romelu Lukaku.
The hosts were soon back on the attack, and Cesc Fabregas headed the loose ball into the side netting from close range after De Gea had pushed out a shot from Eden Hazard.
De Gea also gathered weak shots from Morata and Zappacosta before Andreas Christensen headed Fabregas’ corner over the bar.
Another great chance fell Chelsea’s way early in the second half, this time when Hazard volleyed straight at De Gea after being found in the box by Fabregas’ cross.
But Morata gave De Gea no chance a couple of minutes later, ending his six-game goalless run in fine style, and Courtois produced a crucial late save to deny Marouane Fellaini.
Chelsea: Courtois; Azpilicueta, Christensen, Cahill; Zappacosta (Rudiger 66), Bakayoko, Kante, Fabregas (Drinkwater 78), Alonso; Hazard (Willian 87), Morata.
Subs not used: Caballero, Ampadu, Pedro, Batshuayi
