Manchester United 4-0 Chelsea, Premier League: Post-match reaction

Well, that was not proper.

Even though we were visitors at Old Trafford, we showed from the get-go that we would not be afraid to face Manchester United in their own turf. In what can be seen as an “extension” of their preseason form, Chelsea were the more proactive and most threatening side in the initial minutes, pressing high up the pitch and getting close to score with a Tammy Abraham shot (that hit the post) just four minutes into the match.

But it was United who went ahead in the score. Marcus Rashford earned himself a penalty spotkick after he was brought down in the box by Kurt Zouma, although he seemed quite keen on clashing with the French centre-back. Not a good start for Lamps and this new Chelsea team.

The hosts then tried to utilise the scoreline advantage to their favour, trying to dominate possession while Chelsea attempted to pounce on them with high pressing. Neither side could do much of it; especially the Blues, who seem to be carrying the goalpost struggles of old to this season as well.

At the start of the second half, it remained a back and forth with no goals to be seen. Chelsea and United were both chaotic in their play, but that did not really lead to proper goalscoring chances. The introduction of Christian Pulisic carried a lot of promise, with the 20-year-old quite eager to prove himself in his debut.

However, United would go to show Lamps that he has a lot to work on with this Chelsea team. Goals in quick succession from Anthony Martial and once again Rashford, which showed a glaring lack of awareness and defensive prowess from us, improved United’s lead over the Blues threefold.

By the time Olivier Giroud and N’Golo Kanté entered the pitch, it was already too late. United were by and large the most dangerous side on the pitch, as Chelsea remained unable to draw anything upfront. And another debutant of the day, Daniel James, would take the hosts to four goals versus none from us.

• Youth already being given a chance to shine here. Andreas Christensen, Mason Mount and Tammy Abraham, all starters in Lampard’s official debut. However, big signing Christian Pulisic is on the bench.
• Substitutes are Pulisic in for Ross Barkley, Olivier Giroud in place of Abraham, and N’Golo Kanté for Jorginho.
• These quicker transitions from defence and attack, combined with faster interplay in the final third and high pressing, are a really refreshing sight compared to the common sluggishness of last season.
• It will take us a while to get used to this “chaotic” playing style, though.
• Also, the defensive worries from preseason linger. We really miss Antonio Rüdiger... and David Luiz.
• These giveaways from Chelsea, especially from Ross Barkley, all over the pitch certainly did not help us today.
• Plenty to work on for Lamps, that’s for certain.
• Next up: Liverpool for the UEFA Super Cup in Istanbul, Turkey.
• And as always, remember to be excellent to each other...

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