Little goes to plan
LONDON: Even by the standards of this most strange and unpredictable Premier League season, the events of this week have been quite astonishing with, first, Chelsea sacking club stalwart Frank Lampard, then Manchester United losing to Sheffield United.
Lampard’s successor Thomas Tuchel got straight down to business yesterday, beginning his tenure with a dreary 00 draw with Wolverhampton Wanderers in the rain at Stamford Bridge.
If the sight of the 47yearold German in the technical area took a little getting used to, then the events happening a little later at Old Trafford seemed hardly possible.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s Manchester United, enjoying a 13match unbeaten league run, including 10 wins, looked certain to reclaim top spot from Manchester City against bottom club Sheffield United, which had won only once all season.
But in a seismic shock, United lost 21 to leave a rampant City top by a point, having played one game less.
Substitute Oliver Burke scored the 74thminute winner after Harry Maguire had cancelled out Kean Bryan’s firsthalf opener for the struggling Yorkshire side.
‘‘Disappointed, we couldn’t get to the heights of the last few months’ football we played,’’ Solskjaer said.
‘‘That little spark, that edge, we didn’t have that creativity, imagination, the Xfactor. It’s happened, we look at it, agree it’s not good enough and go again.’’
For Sheffield boss Chris Wilder it was a rare night of joy in a miserable campaign, although Sheffield still remains 10 points behind 17thplaced Brighton and Hove Albion.
‘‘We have got it right tonight, Manchester City away on Saturday . . . that’s what the league is all about,’’ he said.
‘‘They got the job done and I am delighted with them.’’
Tuchel’s opening game was underwhelming in the extreme, as Chelsea racked up nearly 900 passes, but offered little goal threat until late on, when Mason Mount, Tammy Abraham and Christian Pulisic, all dropped to the bench, came on.
Mateo Kovacic fired inches wide for Chelsea while Ben Chilwell fired over from a great opportunity, although at the other end Pedro Neto lobbed a great chance over the bar for Wolves.
Tuchel expressed himself satisfied with what he had seen but now knows the job he has to get eighthplaced Chelsea back into the mix for the top four.
‘‘From now on, I don’t see too many weaknesses. I will focus on our strength and the amazing mix in our team of experienced players and young and hungry talent,’’ he said.
‘‘I want to create a special energy and atmosphere to have the possibility to win every three days in a league like this.’’
Leicester City missed the chance to join Manchester City at the top as it was held 11 at Everton.
James Rodriguez gave Ever