THAT’S MORE LIKE IT, CONTE
Big calls and a big result for the Chelsea boss as Morata winner leaves United 8 points off City
ANTONIO CONTE celebrated like a man who knew this was a huge result.
Conte manically punched the air in delight after the final whistle, threw himself into the crowd, and then went over to each corner of the pitch to soak up the noise and rousing atmosphere.
The Chelsea manager knew victory probably saved him from another savage sacking and he had the last laugh over bitter-rival Jose Mourinho because all of his big decisions paid off.
At any other club, that would put the debate to bed until the end of the season. Defending the title already looks a long shot, but this was Conte’s 37th victory from 49 games in charge in the Premier League. That is some record.
Only Chelsea, the club which veers from glory to crisis every other year, could possibly even think about changing a manager who upset all the odds last season to win the title. But that is the sort of unrelenting pressure Conte finds himself under. The fact he saw off Mourinho (below), who has seemingly enjoyed turning up the heat on his successor at Stamford Bridge, must also offer some sweet comfort.
His decision to drop David Luiz was bold and the gamble to use youngster Andreas Christensen in his place was an even bolder move.
Christensen was outstanding, classy and composed. It raises major doubts over Luiz’s future because Conte (left) was clearly determined to show exactly who is boss.
Alvaro Morata scored the 55th-minute winner with a brilliant header and, again, Conte can take satisfaction as Manchester United’s £75million striker Romelu Lukaku was poor by comparison. The Blues boss brought fit-again N’Golo Kante back into his starting XI, and the midfielder covered every blade of grass, showing just how much they have missed him this past month.
The best thing you could say about the Special One was that he brought the best out of Chelsea on his return to Stamford Bridge.
Mourinho’s old club were fired up from the start – they battled, scrapped and dominated the game. The final stats showed Chelsea had eight shots
on target to United’s two, the second of which came in a late rally when sub Marouane Fellaini went closest to scoring for the visitors.
That just about summed up another poor Red Devils away-day performance. They have managed just one goal in 630 minutes, on the road against their topsix rivals, since Mourinho took charge in the summer of 2016.
They were no more ambitious at Stamford Bridge.
United set up defensively with Eric Bailly, Chris Smalling and Phil Jones in a back three. The latter was lucky that referee Anthony Taylor deemed Morata had pushed him, before the England centre half-volleyed into his own net after just six minutes. TV replays suggesting it was a harsh decision.
Mourinho’s men offered very little as Marcus Rashford headed over and Lukaku’s shot on the turn was easily beaten away by Thibaut Courtois.
Tiemoue Bakayoko was frustrating and effective in equal measure, often giving the ball away and wasting a big chance, but also not giving United’s Nemanja Matic a moment’s peace. But Chelsea really turned it up after the break. Eden Hazard should have scored but fired Cesc Fabregas’s cross straight at David De Gea after 53 minutes.
Two minutes later, the hosts went ahead. Cesar Azpilicueta’s cross picked out Morata (right).
The Spain striker rose, hung in the air, then put a bullet header past De Gea and into the top corner.
United finally came to life in the dying minutes. Fellaini, wearing heavy strapping on a thigh, came on and United went direct.
Rashford sliced over the bar, before Fellaini chested down Bailly’s long punt forward and saw his deflected shot saved by Courtois.
Victory was Chelsea’s and Conte’s – any other outcome would have been a travesty.