For the second time this season, Scott McTominay scored twice at Old Trafford to secure a precious victory for Manchester United and ease the pressure on manager Erik ten Hag.
The Scotland midfielder’s latest effort against Chelsea was not as thrilling as the two he scored in injury-time to beat Brentford in October.
But on a night when United contrived to waste a succession of chances – including a Bruno Fernandes penalty – amid a total of 28 shots, it was just as welcome.
McTominay’s first effort was an instinctive strike from 12 yards as the rebound from Harry Maguire’s blocked header bounced kindly for him.
Then, after Cole Palmer had levelled just before the break, McTominay stole in at the far post to power home Alejandro Garnacho’s cross 21 minutes from time.
He should have had a first career hat-trick after being set up by Antony but scuffed his finish into the ground.
In the end, it didn’t matter, as United survived late Chelsea pressure, including substitute Armando Broja heading against a post.
Just over 15 years since these two met in a Champions League final, part of a seven-year period where one or the other ended up as Premier League title winners, the bragging rights on this occasion only secured the hosts a move up to sixth spot, with their visitors remaining in 10th.
It also extended United’s recent dominance in these matches to 12 games, while Chelsea’s wait for an away win will now extend beyond 11 years.
More to follow.
Player of the match
PalmerCole Palmer
Chelsea
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Squad number20Player namePalmer
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Squad number1Player nameSánchez
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Squad number6Player nameThiago Silva
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Squad number10Player nameMudryk
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Squad number26Player nameColwill
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Squad number7Player nameSterling
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Squad number8Player nameFernández
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Squad number2Player nameDisasi
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Squad number3Player nameCucurella
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Squad number25Player nameCaicedo
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Squad number24Player nameJames
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Squad number15Player nameJackson
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Squad number19Player nameBroja
Line-ups
Man Utd
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 24Onana
- 20DalotBooked at 82mins
- 5Maguire
- 2LindelöfSubstituted forReguilónat 45′minutesBooked at 90mins
- 23ShawBooked at 15mins
- 39McTominay
- 4S Amrabat
- 21Antony
- 8Bruno Fernandes
- 17GarnachoBooked at 22minsSubstituted forEvansat 90+2′minutes
- 11HøjlundSubstituted forRashfordat 84′minutes
Substitutes
- 1Bayindir
- 9Martial
- 10Rashford
- 15Reguilón
- 28Pellistri
- 29Wan-Bissaka
- 34van de Beek
- 35Evans
- 37Mainoo
Chelsea
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 1Sánchez
- 3CucurellaSubstituted forJamesat 45′minutes
- 2Disasi
- 6Thiago Silva
- 26Colwill
- 25Caicedo
- 8Fernández
- 7Sterling
- 20Palmer
- 10MudrykSubstituted forBrojaat 77′minutes
- 15Jackson
Substitutes
- 5Badiashile
- 19Broja
- 24James
- 28Petrovic
- 29Maatsen
- 36de Souza Eugênio
- 42Gilchrist
- 52Matos
- 54Castledine
- Referee:
- Chris Kavanagh
- Attendance:
- 73,607
Live Text
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Match ends, Manchester United 2, Chelsea 1.
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Second Half ends, Manchester United 2, Chelsea 1.
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Corner, Chelsea. Conceded by Sergio Reguilón.
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Sergio Reguilón (Manchester United) is shown the yellow card.
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Substitution, Manchester United. Jonny Evans replaces Alejandro Garnacho.
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Foul by Cole Palmer (Chelsea).
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Sergio Reguilón (Manchester United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Armando Broja (Chelsea) hits the left post with a header from the left side of the six yard box. Assisted by Reece James with a cross.
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Attempt missed. Reece James (Chelsea) right footed shot from the right side of the box is too high.
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Attempt missed. Enzo Fernández (Chelsea) right footed shot from very close range is close, but misses to the right.
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Attempt blocked. Levi Colwill (Chelsea) left footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Raheem Sterling.
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Substitution, Manchester United. Marcus Rashford replaces Rasmus Højlund.
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Attempt blocked. Enzo Fernández (Chelsea) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Reece James.
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Diogo Dalot (Manchester United) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
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Raheem Sterling (Chelsea) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Foul by Diogo Dalot (Manchester United).
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Attempt missed. Alejandro Garnacho (Manchester United) left footed shot from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Sergio Reguilón with a cross.
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Substitution, Chelsea. Armando Broja replaces Mykhailo Mudryk.
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Corner, Manchester United. Conceded by Moisés Caicedo.
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Attempt blocked. Alejandro Garnacho (Manchester United) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.