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LONDON (Reuters) – Alvaro Morata’s second-half header secured Chelsea a 1-0 win over Manchester United in an entertaining Premier League clash on Sunday as Jose Mourinho’s return to Stamford Bridge ended in defeat.
Morata’s brilliantly-taken header in the 55th minute was the difference on another frustrating trip to London for United, with six of its last seven away defeats coming in the capital.
United pressed for an equalizer, with Mourinho throwing all his attacking options on from the bench, but they did not test Thibaut Courtois enough in the Chelsea goal, mustering just two shot on target in the whole match.
Chelsea stays fourth on 22 points, the win breathing life into its hopes of retaining the title. Antonio Conte’s men are within a point of local rivals Tottenham Hotspur and second-place United, which trails Manchester City by eight points.
The gap at the top of the table is the biggest after 11 games in Premier League history.
United started well, but Chelsea had the ball in the net first, only for referee Anthony Taylor to rule it out, with Morata adjudged to have fouled defender Phil Jones.
Both goalkeepers were kept busy. Courtois was forced to make his first stop after 16 minutes, beating away Romelu Lukaku’s strike, before United counterpart David De Gea spectacularly kept out Tiemoue Bakayoko’s fierce effort from distance.
After an entertaining first half that produced 15 shots at goal, the second period began sluggishly. However, just moments after Eden Hazard had missed a glorious chance, Morata stepped up to net what proved to be the winning goal.
Cesar Azpilicueta sent over a perfect cross for Morata who was afforded far too much space by the United defense, with the Spaniard guiding his header superbly past De Gea.
Mourinho shuffled his pack, and made unusually adventurous substitutions, but Chelsea remained largely untroubled.
Bakayoko could have doubled Chelsea’s advantage with 15 minutes left, but drilled the ball wide.
Chelsea saw out the match, ensuring that Mourinho has not beaten any of the big six sides away from home in 11 attempts – a run stretching back almost three years.
In other action, Premier League leader Manchester City had enough to beat Arsenal 3-1 at the Etihad Stadium to extend its win streak to 15 games.
Unbeaten City has not dropped points since a draw at home to Everton in its first home game of the season in mid-August and it has now won nine league games in a row.
Meanwhile, Tottenham Hotspur rode its luck before Son Heung-min earned a 1-0 victory over bottom club Crystal Palace to consolidate a place in the top four.
Mauricio Pochettino’s side, despite not being at its best, remained in third with 23 points having won five of its last six league games.