A GOAL AND an assist from Romelu Lukaku proved decisive as Manchester United put Chelsea to the sword 2-1 at Old Trafford on Saturday afternoon.
The victory, courtesy of a Jesse Lingard winner with 15 minutes to go, raises Jose Mourinho’s side back into second place, once again two points above Liverpool but still 13 points adrift of table-toppers Manchester City.
Chelsea took the lead when Willian capped off a brilliant individual run inside his own half with an outstanding strike which slipped through David De Gea just past the half hour mark.
Antonio Conte’s side have improved greatly in recent weeks, following consecutive defeats to Bournemouth and Watford, with back-to-back wins against West Brom and Hull City.
Indeed the performance which saw them impressively draw 1-1 with Barcelona in the Champions League midweek was in full display in this game, with Willian’s excellent opener the just rewards of a first-half the blues dominated.
However the visitors faltered just before the break when striker Lukaku took advantage of a clever Anthony Martial pass inside the box to jink the ball past Thibaut Courtois to draw the sides level.
The Belgian forward has been criticised for not performing against top six opposition, but remained composed and deadly to slot a cool finish beyond his international team-mate between the posts.
In a cagey second half which looked like meandering towards a draw, second half introduction Lingard proved the difference between the sides with a well-taken winner.
Goalkeepers De Gea and Courtois stood out as two of the best goalkeepers in the world, with the latter denying Lukaku what would have proved a sublime scissor-kick as the game entered its latter stages.
Despite his missed opportunity, Lukaku followed up his goal with a decisive assist after 75 minutes.
He curled a dangerous cross into the danger zone which Lingard – on the field of play just ten minutes after replacing Martial — headed emphatically past Courtois to snatch all three points.
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Fantastic excitement in televised darts. MVG is a beast.
Was really hoping for a come back, almost looked promising at one stage but sure look. Great to watch regardless
one of the most over rated sports ever, only reason people watch it is for a piss up
A game not a sport
I watched it sober Stilphil Brady.
do yout mean all people watching at home are having a piss up?
Darts is always a great way to finish off the Christmas break. Great darts this year. Hats off to Van Gerwen he’s a special player.
Jesus that was sick . Anderson could have went 3-1 up then bang he’s gone. Mvg is on fire , some darts
Even Taylor in his prime wouldn’t be able to live with this, well deserved title considering the year he had and would’ve been a travesty if he didn’t win it. Great effort by Gary Anderson also he is the only one that can worry MVG and he could still win another one or two.
I love Anderson but MVG really deserved it, unbeatable at the minute
Barney deserves a serious mention too, was truly heartbroken after the semi but the best man won in the end.
murt barney was feeling sorry for himself bit of a whinger in fairness (wonderful player)
Serious athletes
I assume you mean that as a joke? Haha
Your a top athlete yourself Gearoid,
The man is a machine
Bit like yourself ger
How athletic are you David? F*****g keyboard warrior!
I wouldn’t be an Olympian, but I can run a bit and lift a bit. You know, a reasonable level of fitness for an average thirty something male? Keeps the waist under the 34″
Plenty of ppl can lift doesn’t mean there athletes Dave.
Never claimed I was an athlete, I just insinuated that Darts players are not athletes. Darts is not a sport. It’s a game, albeit an entertaining one.
is it a shirt you lift David
Looking forward to Gerry Adams inevitably winning the junior B darts now on bbc…
Good old Wolfie
haha Gerry Adams,not on the BBC anymore im afraid.i think BT have it this year.
channel 4 for live afternoon coverage Glenn.
The lad that ran on stage and robbed the trophy was the highlight for me
He showed more athleticism than the two lads
He will have a sore jaw and ribs by the time those bouncers turfed him out the door
And rightly so. Tosser. Great match though.
Incredible that these lads get 350k for throwing a few sticks at a board. Anderson got a spanking in the game – but even so was laughing and joking away in a final, would never see a footballer happy with finishing 2nd on the World Cup/Euros. Not a sport, they are slobs.
And you’re an egg… You cracked wh**e like to see you be that accurate… Now off on the fitness regime your wife has you on and cycle to your rubbish job like the rest of us… They are no doubt laughing at you!
@An Ubh: Anderson laughing as hes good spirited and he knew he lost to the better player on the night would you prefer to see him bitter and resentful like yourself?. Throwing sticks is stupid description. If so isnt Soccer kicking a ball into a net, isnt formula one driving around in a ring isnt brain surgery just having a root around up there to remove the bad bits??. Can describe anything at all in a flippant way.
Great comment above me there, the egg is clearly a jealous imbecile
With finishing like mvg had he must have Tipperary blood , lethal finisher
Thanks Dave
Van Gerwan, is on PED’s. Look at the physique on him.
@Derek o keeffe: Agreed, think they made his hair fallout and do something to his voice too. Wonder if the Russian hackers will raid WADA files on himself & Taylor!!