Chelsea back on track after lacklustre half to become latest to feed into Man United angst
Premier League
Chelsea (0) 2 Rogers 50, Palmer pen 63
Manchester United (0) 0 Martinez s/o 62
There's nothing like a win over United to improve the mood and get things heading in the right direction again.
Awful last week against Spurs and second best in the first half here, the Blues finally clicked into gear to hammer another nail into the coffin marked 'Michael Carrick Era' United have now gone nine without a win.
First Morgan Rogers scored a beauty, then Leandro Martinez gave away a penalty for a raised elbow on Wesley Fofana that Cole Palmer put away - albeit a bit luckily through the keeper's grasp.
Martinez'. felony was compounded by the offence bringing up his second yellow in a matter of minutes as he'd just been carded by ref Peter Bankes for trying to wrestle Rogers to the ground as the striker got outside him towards the byline.
Romeo and Lavia then combined to release Estevao for a fine finish into the roof of the net. The 'goal' was chalked off for offside but it was still a moment Chelsea fans will hope signals a real kick-start for the Brazilian after a quiet start to the season.
United were missing in action during the second half. Their only offering was an Mbeumo rasper which cannoned back off the underside of the Chelsea crossbar.
The Blue's first half display was not much better than the abject performance last week against Spurs but at least they went in all square - having come perilously close to allowing United a lead.
As well as a flashing shot just wide from former Blue Andrey Santos, and a skied effort from Bruno Fernandes after a Bryan Mbeumo charge down the right on a counter-attack, Amad went close to beating Mike Penders on at least four occasions.
One opportunity arose after picking the pocket of Fofana to race on from half way and again when the defender did well to block the winger's curling goalbound shot.
And just before the break, Fofana again misjudged a pass into the channel for Amad to slip in behind him and curl a golden chance over the bar when he had the goal at his mercy.
But it was a reviewed offside which really came to Chelsea's rescue after Harry Maguire's far post header at a Fernandes corner was nudged home from close in by Matheus Cunha.
For Chelsea, Estevao looked the best bet. He has been used sparingly so far this season by Xabi Alonso but today his pace down the right offered a source of hope.
He tapped home early on after Pedro Neto had a shot palmed out by keeper Senne Lammens, but was just offside.
As it happens, it was Rogers who opened the door. Great work from Lavia in the centre circle freed up the Chelsea striker to chance his arm with a run from deep and after slipping between two defenders, he calmly dinked the ball over an advancing Lammens. He made it look so easy.
It was a glorious moment for the Matthew Harding Stand fans to savour and it proved to be the stepping stone towards an important three points which should leave Alonso's men in a better frame of mind for next week's trip to Sunderland.
Blues: (3-4-2-1) Penders - Acheampong, Fofana, Colwill - Pedro Neto (Barco 83), Caicedo (Welbeck 87), Lavia, Palestra (Chavarria 72) - Estevao (Malo Gusto 87), Palmer (Quenda 97) - Rogers
United: (4-2-3-1) Lammens -Yoro, Maguire, Martinez, Dalot - Andrey Santos (Heaven 66), Baleba (Mainoo 58) - Amad (Zirkzee 77) , Bruno Fernandes, Cunha (Mount 66) - Mbeumo
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