Manchester United displayed a significant improvement as Scott McTominay’s double secured a crucial Premier League victory over a lackluster Chelsea at Old Trafford.
Despite Bruno Fernandes missing an early penalty for the home side, McTominay opened the scoring in the first half as Erik ten Hag’s team showcased their prowess. Cole Palmer, a Manchester City alum and lifelong United supporter, leveled the score just before halftime, with both teams squandering opportunities.
The game kicked off brightly for the hosts, with Fernandes attempting a long-range shot that narrowly missed the bar, and Rasmus Hojlund testing Chelsea’s goalkeeper, Robert Sanchez, with a quick first-time snap shot from the left.
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Sanchez emerged as the hero when he made a crucial save from Fernandes’ penalty after Antony won the spot-kick due to a mistimed challenge from Enzo Fernandez, confirmed by VAR.
Sanchez continued to make saves, denying Alejandro Garnacho and Antony, while Chelsea’s Mykhailo Mudryk hit the post from a narrow angle. Andre Onana also made a crucial save from Fernandez.
McTominay’s opening goal came after Harry Maguire’s initial shot was blocked, and McTominay skillfully controlled the rebound before volleying home. Despite Chelsea’s attempts to find their footing, Sanchez made a double save to prevent McTominay from extending the lead.
Palmer’s equalizer provided Chelsea with a moment of quality, with the forward stretching to receive Mudryk’s pass, delaying his shot, and placing it carefully into the bottom corner.
The second half saw slower pacing, but Antony’s deflected effort had Sanchez scrambling. United appealed for a potential handball from Levi Colwill, but both the referee and VAR remained unmoved.
McTominay secured the victory with a well-timed run at the far post to meet Garnacho’s cross. Despite McTominay missing a chance for a hat-trick, United continued to press, and a mistake from Reece James allowed Garnacho through, only to be stopped by the Chelsea captain and Sanchez.
Without a comfortable two-goal lead, United remained vulnerable, and Chelsea’s Armando Broja nearly punished them with a close-range header hitting the post in stoppage time.