toptop
Paul
Pogba scored one and created another as Manchester United beat Chelsea 2-0 at
Stamford Bridge in their FA Cup fifth round tie.
United were aggressive and clinical in the first half, going ahead through Ander
Herrera's header from Pogba's superb left-wing cross (31), before Pogba scored a
powerful header of his own from Marcus Rashford's beauty of a delivery from the
right (45).
And the visitors kept Chelsea at bay through periods of pressure in the second
half with a gritty and professional display, meaning United bounced straight
back from their first defeat under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer for only their third win
at Stamford Bridge in 23 attempts.
It was a nightmare evening for under-pressure Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri,
whose second-half substitutions were roundly jeered as home fans criticised his
methods and sang "You're getting sacked in the morning."
During a frantic but even opening, Sergio Romero was tested twice by David
Luiz's free-kick and Pedro's follow-up, before Gonzalo Higuain headed wide in
space from 12 yards.
But United grew into the game and were ahead just after the half-hour mark; Juan
Mata and Romelu Lukaku combined before spreading left to Pogba, who worked it
onto his right foot and brilliantly found Herrera at the back post to nod home
unmarked.
And it was 2-0 just before the break as Pogba started and finished a fine
counter, finding Rashford on the right flank and latching onto the forward's
superb, curling delivery to power a header past Kepa Arrizabalaga, who did get a
touch on the effort.
Team news
Chelsea made five changes from the midweek win over Malmo; Rudiger, Kante,
Alonso, Hazard and Higuain were in, replacing Christensen, Emerson, Barkley,
Giroud and Willian.
Manchester United made four after the defeat by PSG; Romero, Smalling, Mata and
Lukaku came in, with De Gea, Bailly on the bench and both Lingard and Martial
injured.
The second half lacked in chances but not in intensity, as United held off some
sustained Chelsea pressure early on and constantly used Rashford as an effective
out-ball from defence.
Sarri, under pressure following a poor run of fixtures and a 6-0 defeat at
Manchester City last time out in the Premier League, was roundly criticised for
his decision to bring on Ross Barkley and Davide Zappacosta for Mateo Kovacic
and Cesar Azpilicueta respectively, with fans singing: "You don't know what
you're doing."
But the night belonged to United and Pogba, who has now been directly involved
in 15 goals in 12 games in all competitions under Solskjaer, six more than he
managed in 20 games under Jose Mourinho this season.
What's next?
United now host Liverpool on Super Sunday, live on Sky Sports Premier League at
2.05pm, while Chelsea face Malmo in their home second leg in the Europa League
round of 32 on Thursday at 8pm, before the Carabao Cup final against Manchester
City on Sunday at 4.30pm, live on Sky Sports Football.
Click Here For Official Team Sheet
Teams
Chelsea Kepa, Azpilicueta (c) (Zappacosta 82), Rudiger, Luiz,
Alonso, Jorginho, Kante, Kovacic (Barkley 71), Pedro (Willian 58), Higuain,
Hazard
Subs Not Used Caballero, Christensen, Hudson-Odoi, Giroud
Booked Rudiger, Kante
Goals
Manchester United Romero, Young (c), Lindelof, Smalling, Shaw,
Herrera, Matic (Perreira 76), Pogba, Mata, Lukaku (Sanchez 73), Rashford
(McTominay 90)
Subs Not Used De Gea, Bailly, Dalot, Fred
Booked Matic, Young
Goals Herrera 31, Pogba 45
Attendance 40,562
Referee Kevin Friend