Chelsea and Manchester United Without Goals at Stamford Bridge

The derby of the round in the English Premier League between Chelsea and Manchester United ended without goals today at Stamford Bridge.

Everyone anxiously awaited the central match of Gameweek 26, but all they got was a disappointment. Both the Blues and the Red Devils presented one tough, unattractive, and defensive-minded football. This was the second time this year to see 0-0 in the direct clash of these two sides.

It is hard to say which side was happier following today’s draw, but according to many, Chelsea might be in a better mood, because the Blues maintained their unbeaten run under Thomas Tuchel. Once more, the German has prepared excellent tactics to protect his own goal, posting another clean sheet since arriving in England.

The spoils are shared at Stamford Bridge.

🔴 #MUFC
#️⃣ #CHEMUN
🏆 #PL@Chevrolet

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) February 28, 2021

They would also keep a one-point advantage ahead of Liverpool in the standings, but the Res are playing tonight against Sheffield Wednesday.

Chelsea also had luck in the first half as the referee decided against awarding a penalty to the guests following Callum Hudson-Odoi’s handballing in the box. The ball struck the forward in his hand that was way off the neutral position, but Stuart Atwell didn’t want to show towards the penalty spot.

“I heard the ref said to Harry Maguire, ‘If I say it’s a pen then it’s gonna cause a lot of talks after.’ I don’t understand why they stopped it if it wasn’t going to be a pen,” said United’s back Luke Shaw.

The game was mostly back and forth on both sides, who had eight shots on target combined. Chelsea had five and United three, but neither Mendy nor de Gea had any problems protecting the net.

Rashford tried to score in the 14th minute, but his effort was stopped by Mendy, and that was pretty much in the first half, apart from the situation with the penalty. Ziyech tested de Gea early in the second, while Greenwood missed a solid chance with the stopwatch showing the one-hour mark. Some eight minutes later, Fred tried his luck, but nothing happened.

After the Brazilian’s try, both teams lowered the tempo and decided to protect one point, closing the match without any excitement.

Earlier today, Arsenal made a massive comeback in Leicester, winning 1-3, even though starting the match pretty poorly. The Gunners conceded a goal in the sixth minute with Youri Tielemans scoring after an individual effort, and one minute later, the Foxes missed a chance to double the edge.

Hudson-Odoi treating the ball like a butterfly that’s just landed on your hand wasn’t given as a penalty but the league is corrupt to help United 👍 pic.twitter.com/gZnTpuOXHA

— Jordan (@FourFourJordan) February 28, 2021

However, Arsenal’s furious ending of the second half saw them scoring twice, through David Luiz and Alexander Lacazette, who converted a penalty in the stoppage time. Nicolas Pepe struck in the 52nd minute setting the final result and bringing a massive three points for the team from London.

Tottenham demolished Burnley with 4-0. Gareth Bale scored twice, and the former Real Madrid star indicated his return to the top shape. Apart from the Welsh winger, Harry Kane and Lucas Moura also netted one goal each, returning some of the lost confidence to the Spurs locker room.

In the battle of two relegation candidates, Crystal Palace and Fulham played without goals at Selhurst Park, making the situation at the bottom very interesting.

The closing match of this round is this Monday at Goodison Park, where Everton plays against Southampton.