[D. Grayson]

Massive win,in the context of the 5 very important games before the international break. Let's take this and turn it into some positive momentum.

Lukaku played really well, Pogba was good if somewhat inconsistent. McTominay looked good and dependable despite his awful mistake,but to quote Sven-Göran Eriksson "he's young he will learn" and I can only see him polishing mistakes like that out over time . Martial showed glimpses of greatness and moments of hair pulling annoyance , Matic periods where he looked every bit the midfield god that had me drooling at the start of the season Sanchez was poor.Centerbacks looked ok , Full backs did nothing to inspire me.

over all, it was a game of glimpses, most of the attacking players showed signs of what they can do, while simultaneously showing the ugly side of their game. I hope we can kick off from this point.

P.S
First post in awhile i'm glad it can be a positive one.

 

[JG3001]

Just got back from the game. We were poor until we scored but grew into the game second half.

McTominay was a standout performer today. Smalling bounced back well after a string of poor performances.

Improvement required but definitely a step in the right direction.

 

[Web of Bissaka]

I love our squad, exciting players.

 

[Marcky411]

LET’S FECKING GOOOOOOO !!!


> Mourinho got the tactics right

> De Gea class

> Martial class

> Sanchez class

> Matic class

> Pogba simple and effective

> JLingz just doing his thing - clutch

> Sorry, what was that about Lukaku not performing against top 6 sides? Goal and an assist + outstanding performance, MOTM


...massive 3 points, this match was a joy to watch.

Again Lukaku shows how dangerous he is when he comes off the right, has got an incredible cross in him.

 

[gerdm07]

Great result. McTominay was very good today. He made some great passes over the top (one led to a goal) which I'm not sure he had the confidence to do before.

Can anyone explain our shape? I think it was

.............Martial.....Lakaku
....Pogba..........Sanchez
.............Matic........Mctominay
Young...Lindelof...Smalling.........Valencia

Valencia was rb, rm and rf all in one.

I can't believe how a professional who has so much talent like Martial loses the ball so often.

Chelsea looked a little lost attacking without Hazard. As other have said, that was a strange sub.

 

[glazed]

All those people saying what a pile of sh#t we were at half time.

Mind you they had a point. We were a lucky decision and a bad substitution away from losing.

 

[Walters_19_MuFc]

@Walters_19_MuFc , check Mourinho's explanation about our formation today and the “midfield square”.

And if we look at the player's average position, it does look more of a square than a diamond. Maybe we should be calling this a 4-2-2-2.

Cheers. I will watch soon, but if you remember last year, when we won two nil, we also played with a 'midfield square', but with three at the back.

Darmian and Herrera as our defensive midfielders, with Pogba and Fellaini further up.

Today, as you said, it was Matic and McTominay holding, with Sanchez and Pogba further up.

Ideally, however, I'd have liked to see Lingard instead of Sanchez, who I felt made more of a difference in that system.

 

[whatwha]

Good second half performance.

We were a bit lucky to get the 3 points. Haven't seen replays but it looked like their goal for 2-2 should have stood.

Lukaku MOTM.

 

[Marcky411]

First half was dire. Tale of two halves.

Definitely, I don’t know why we need 15-20 min to get going in games, other teams seemed to be pumped before the start of the game. Second half was really refreshing didn’t expect that, I expected Mourinho to try and grind out a draw. Very happy with the second half performance would like to more of this from the whistle.

 

[Walters_19_MuFc]

Great result. McTominay was very good today. He made some great passes over the top (one led to a goal) which I'm not sure he had the confidence to do before.

Can anyone explain our shape? I think it was

.............Martial.....Lakaku
....Pogba..........Sanchez
.............Matic........Mctominay
Young...Lindelof...Smalling.........Valencia

Valencia was rb, rm and rf all in one.

I can't believe how a professional who has so much talent like Martial loses the ball so often.

Chelsea looked a little lost attacking without Hazard. As other have said, that was a strange sub.

Exactly that I'd say. As @Android1974 said, a 4222. Very similar to City under Pelegrini.

 

[JohnnyKills]

Great result, Lukaku is improving all the time and pogba was very good.

Only negative is martial - looks half-interested atm.

 

[haram]

Romeluuuuuu!!!! Jesseeeeee!!!!

 

[Fergie's gum]

We were a shambles in the first half. It's like we continued the game vs Seville. Fans were none existent for such a big game. Really need to do better, but canblame them with the quality of football they are treated to every week. I have to admit there was an improvement after half time, something I didn't expect,but nothing drastic. The game finally swung in our favor with the introduction of Lingard who provided some much needed movement and energy to the team. Lukaku looks good on the right whenever he's there, and that either shows how much we need a Right Winger or that Lukaku should play on the right of the front 3.
Man of the Match - Matic

 

[onemanarmy]

Good result, entertaining game. What was going on with De Gea?

 

[Werd.]

Can anyone explain our shape? I think it was

.............Martial.....Lakaku
....Pogba..........Sanchez
.............Matic........Mctominay
Young...Lindelof...Smalling.........Valencia

Valencia was rb, rm and rf all in one.

That was pretty much it. Lingard mentioned after the game that we played with 2 no.10 who had defensive duties to cover the wings.

 

[P-Ro]

fecking awful. Was sat in the Sir Alex Stand in the gods having to pretend I was in some way alright with United scoring. Our confidence shot striker finally scores and its ruled incorrectly offside. Shambles.

 

[yamo123x]

A win yes. Also positive performances from matic smalling and lukaku.

Matic set the tone when he hunted down the ball in the first half .. we have missed that.

Martial was awful second half and was deservedly hooked.i also don't get the MCotminay Loving, for me he is steady at best and was at fault for first goal.

Sanchez can do much much better too

 

[Andersons Dietician]

People go on about our passing from the back and today at times watching the game I was like where are they supposed to pass to. Matic,McTominay,Sanchez and Pogba were all in picture and either had someone on them or were behind someone and refused to move leading us to pop it long. That really needs to stop as it happens in way too many games.
It’s shocking to me a team at this level with the standard of players we have can’t do the basics of football.

 

[glazed]

fecking awful. Was sat in the Sir Alex Stand in the gods having to pretend I was in some way alright with United scoring. Our confidence shot striker finally scores and its ruled incorrectly offside. Shambles.

As you were there, what happened at the final whistle? One of our players kicked ball towards an undefended goal just as whistle went but Sky never showed of it went in or not.

 

[Tosicsleftpeg]

Fantastic result for us we did brilliantly to win that in the end. However anyone saying Sanchez was class is actually a genuine mental case, he had one good pass to Lukaku and that was it.

 

[Water Melon]

Credit due to all the players and Jose. This one is on them. May it long continue. Well fecking done.

 

[Prodigy24]

I still can't believe that we won! Looked out of ideas early on, struggling to create anything, yet we reacted well after Chelsea scored which is a great thing to see! It's hard to imagine that we would be able to turn a 0-1 to 2-1, considering we were playing Chelsea, the team we always seem to struggle against.

Lukaku did not start too well but was excellent after his goal, and that cross for the winner was beautiful. It's not the first time he has put in a great cross for his teammates. Other than him I thought Matic was excellent and the MOTM for me. Breaking up plays, winning second balls, pressing the opposition, he did everything and looked like the player he was during the first half of the season.

Delighted with the win, hope it gives the lads a huge boost!

 

[sjw2511]

As soon as Sanchez joined we looked poor and as soon as he came off today we looked decent.

 

[Web of Bissaka]

First half,
Formation is a bit messy, no RM 4-2-2-1-1, attacking players are left and centre centric. Imbalance yet a lot more threatening, but too much space on the right which Chelsea exploited. Alonso is free for far too much. Martial, Sanchez and Lukaku interchanges. Martial main left and at times switch wing, Sanchez free role everywhere, Pogba lleft, Lukaku drift to the right when we're defending.

Second half,
Formation 4-2-2-2, it's very clear, Martial and Lukaku upfront with Pogba and Sanchez just behind them.
Then Martial off Lingard on, we change back to first half's no RM 4-3-2-1 formation - Sanchez and Pogba on the left, and Lingard more center-centric.
After Bakayoko (?) rush tackle Lingard, we change to 4-5-1 flat.
Giroud on, we change to 3-5-2 with Pogba and Lukaku playing the target men role.

Active tactical changes today by Mourinho ~ 5 different tactics

 

[KomodoBadger]

Great birthday present.

 

[londonredmaniac]

First half was absolutely abysmal. It was an absolute mess.

Second half was better, hardly brilliant but better.

Sanchez looks lost. Martial was brilliant for the first goal. Otherwise poor. Gave the ball away repeatedly.

Valencia couldn't cross a road. Brillisnt awareness when De Gea made a mess of things mind. Young's final ball was abysmal, but did some food defensive work first half.

The midfield was absolutely non existent first half. We looked terrified of the ball.

Second half Matic upped his game. McTominay busier second half, and Pogba influenced the game a bit more. Lukaku was excellent throughout the second half. Great stuff from Lingard. Smalling with an absolute feck up...then digging Lindelof out when he had one.

All in all it wasn't good enough for me. Especially at home against a Chelsea side that just aren't anything special. Massive improvements needed if we think we are capable of winning anything this season and finishing top 4.

 

[SteveJ]

Excellent comeback. Well done, Rom & Jesse.

 

[Handsome Devil]

Jesse may not be our most gifted player but no one can dispute his motivation and enthusiasm. Wish it was infectious.

 

[Web of Bissaka]

Referee delay blow the final whistle for about one min plus though, worrying.

But well, it's over.

 

[M Bison]

Wasn’t very positive about the game before kick off, and then with our first half performance and the manner in which we conceded, really did fear the worst.

Rom’s Goal was quality and the way we played in the second half was great.

I’m a fan of McTominay and think he’ll be a good asset. I’ve been quite critical of Matic recently but though he was fantastic, absolutely everywhere.

Sanchez and Martial were very poor and we need a lot more out of them both, Pogba was ok, not great but not bad.

Was a must win game for Jose, had we lost the fans would really have started to turn on him and the team.

Really delighted with the result, hope we can kick on now

 

[noodlehair]

Bailed us out? FFS, he’s part of the team, he is expected to score and help the team. Furthermore, I’m interested to see your growing list as it surely can’t be long. Lukaku was good today, but even a broken clock is right two times a day and so forth.

He's probably been our best player this season I'm afraid.

How much longer is this nonsense going to go on for just because people decided he was rubbish and now don't want to admit they were wrong?

 

[Yagami]

Great birthday present.

Happy birthday!

 

[MZX7]

First time I felt happy watching Lukaku and the first time I thanked God for Lingard!

Awesome win. Much needed.

 

[Frank Grimes]

Draw prob would have been fair but we managed to sneak it. Big win for us.

 

[DoubleRevv]

First half,
Formation is a bit messy, no RM 4-2-2-1-1, attacking players are left and centre centric. Imbalance yet a lot more threatening, but too much space on the right which Chelsea exploited. Alonso is free for far too much. Martial, Sanchez and Lukaku interchanges. Martial main left and at times switch wing, Sanchez free role everywhere, Pogba lleft, Lukaku drift to the right when we're defending.

Second half,
Formation 4-2-2-2, it's very clear, Martial and Lukaku upfront with Pogba and Sanchez just behind them.
Then Martial off Lingard on, we change back to first half's no RM 4-3-2-1 formation - Sanchez and Pogba on the left, and Lingard more center-centric.
After Bakayoko (?) rush tackle Lingard, we change to 4-5-1 flat.
Giroud on, we change to 3-5-2 with Pogba and Lukaku playing the target men role.

Active tactical changes today by Mourinho ~ 5 different tactics

I'm just curious to know, were you taking tactical notes during the game?

 

[Fergie's gum]

People go on about our passing from the back and today at times watching the game I was like where are they supposed to pass to. Matic,McTominay,Sanchez and Pogba were all in picture and either had someone on them or were behind someone and refused to move leading us to pop it long. That really needs to stop as it happens in way too many games.
It’s shocking to me a team at this level with the standard of players we have can’t do the basics of football.

This.

The lack of movement in the team is really hurting us. Way to easy for teams to mark our players out of the game forcing a long ball, or forcing a mistake from the player with the ball.
Even when they tried to hold a high line, no players made attempt to run behind the back 4, which is a shame given Pogba's vision and ability to play a through ball.
Our attacks mainly consist of passes in midfield which eventually end up on the left side for Young or Martial to cross, even though we only have one player in the box.
Our set pieces suck.
It really seems like they don't train together.

 

[Maestro14]

As you were there, what happened at the final whistle? One of our players kicked ball towards an undefended goal just as whistle went but Sky never showed of it went in or not.

It went nowhere near the goal, it was just a clearance. I think it was going out for a throw-in in the Chelsea half.

 

[GM K]

Fantastic result. Enjoyable game.

Pointers....

We need to retain the ball better. Whenever we do so, we look dangerous. That's what happened for a good part of the second half.

We need to find a way to get all our big players to influence games for 90 minutes. Sanchez was poor today. Matic had a mediocre first half but a superb second half. Romelu had a fair first half and a great second half. Pogba was good but not great. Martial was very average.

We also need to improve our full back positions. As much as I like Valencia and Young, we need to prove the quality of our full back positions.

Jose has unearthed a gem in Scott. I know that because he doesn't show flair or make the eye catching moves on the pitch, he will never be appreciated by many but I am confident he will come really good in due time.

 

[siw2007]

Great result! First half was really poor at times but we showed resilience to come back and win the match.

Both teams defended really well, but I think in the second half at 1 1 we showed more effort and commitment and got the second goal. Shout out to Mctomminay who played a very good game against Hazard, Pogba played an influential match and Lukaku who actually made an impact against a top side. Also mentions to Matic, Smalling and Lindelof who also played very well.

I haven’t seen whether Morata’s goal should have stood but as people are saying it was onside I will take their word for it. But these fixtures have been riddled with bad decisions over the years and many have gone to Chelsea so am pleased it’s our turn to get the luck.

 

[Nik70]

Great result! First half was really poor at times but we showed resilience to come back and win the match.

Both teams defended really well, but I think in the second half at 1 1 we showed more effort and commitment and got the second goal. Shout out to Mctomminay who played a very good game against Hazard, Pogba played an influential match and Lukaku who actually made an impact against a top side. Also mentions to Matic, Smalling and Lindelof who also played very well.

I haven’t seen whether Morata’s goal should have stood but as people are saying it was onside I will take their word for it. But these fixtures have been riddled with bad decisions over the years and many have gone to Chelsea so am pleased it’s our turn to get the luck.

Ain't that the truth. I was thinking the very same thing.