Chelsea vs Manchester United.  Thursday 4th April 2024

An 20:15 Kick off for the biggest game of game week 31. Regardless of the form of these two side this year, this game provides entertainment. As the players walk out onto the pitch the atmosphere really begins to build with both sets of fans exchanging chants towards one another. 

Jarred Gillet blew his whistle, a roar from the crowd followed and Bruno Fernandes got the game underway. After a frantic first three and a half minutes Chelsea were able to surge forward after Enzo Fernandez split the visitors midfield with a lovely pass which found Malo Gusto haring down the right hand side. He fired a low cross in which was half cleared by Varane but only as far as the Chelsea skipper who was positioned just inside the 18 yard box. Gallagher swept the ball into the right hand side of the goal with a first time shot that caught Onana out. An incredible response from the young Englishman who had been receiving online abuse all week. It was evident how much scoring his 5th goal this year meant to him as he went sliding towards the corner of the shed end.

For the next 10 or so minutes United had a lot of the ball, but Chelsea still remained a greater threat. With  17 minutes on the clock a forward pass from Mudryk to the overlapping Cucurella gave the Spanish international a chance to cross the ball into the box. He was unable to do so, due to being knocked by Anthony and the referee awarded a penalty. Chelsea's number 20, Cole Palmer cooly stepped up and dispatched the ball into the bottom right hand corner, doubling the blues lead.

Not long after the half way line the visitors were able to pull a goal back through Garnacho, who was able to pounce when Caicedo's pass failed to find Badiashille. Garnacho still had lots to do when he picked the ball up around 35 yards out. He was able to take the ball round the backtracking centre back and confidently slid the ball past the diving Petrovich. The away fans were sent into delirium and what followed was a huge momentum swing. For the next few minutes the blues were unable to string the passes together and the visitors looked the more likely to score before the interval. Just four minutes after their first goal, Anthony switched the play to find Dalot on the left hand side. The left back had plenty of time and his in swinging cross found Bruno fernandes who was completely unmarked and he headed it back the way it came past the helpless goalkeeper. The scores were level. Despite the huge shift in momentum, Chelsea were able to pick themselves up and some intricate play down the right hand side found Gallagher who was a whisker away from doubling his tally for the night when he smashed the ball into right upright. Onana could only watch! Half time score Chelsea 2-2 Manchester United. 

After a high tempo start to the second half, in similar fashion to the first, United were presented with the first big chance. A heavy touch from Badiashille saw the recently subbed on Rashford in possession and he was able to set Anthony free down the right hand side. The reds number 21 used the inside of his left boot to play a sublime pass across the face of goal leaving Petrovic stranded. The bouncing ball was met by the head of Garnacho who with great composure knocked it past the goalkeeper to score his second of the game and complete the comeback for the visitors.

As the game went on it seemed as if United would see out the win but when the 4th official indicated a minimum of 8 minutes added time the home fans became more spirited. With 6 minutes of the 8 gone Noni Maduake ,who had been on the pitch for a matter of minutes, knocked the ball past Dalot and threatened to shoot until he was clipped. Appeals for a penalty from both fans and players alike rung round the ground and for the second time in the game the referee pointed to the spot. Once more the Palmer stepped up and took no notice of the pressure slotting it past the goalkeeper to equalise as he did against the other Manchester club earlier in the season. This time he took no time to celebrate, collecting the ball from the goal showing the hunger this young Chelsea side has. With 100 minutes on the clock and surely the last play of the game, Enzo took a short corner which found the penalty taker. He glanced up and seeing space in front of him drilled the ball towards the Mathew Harding end and the ground went quiet in anticipation. The ball flew and glanced off Scott McTominay into the bottom right corner to win the game for the home team in the most dramatic style and also securing Palmer's first senior Hat trick. Stamford Bridge erupted and the Chelsea dugout went berserk with substitutes flying onto the pitch. The most incredible end to a football match. There was enough time for United to kick off but it wad to no avail. Gillet blew his whistle for full time and the Chelsea fans broke out into song. CHELSEA 4-3 MANCHESTER UNITED.