Dave at Manchester United v Chelsea, 0-1, Wembley Stadium, May 2018
4,166 views · Published 22 May 2018 · 15:33 · Indexed 6 November 2026
Channel: Life The Basic Manual · 2018 · Sports
“Wasteful Reds pay the ultimate penalty" When the unmarked Paul Pogba glanced a late gilt-edged opening wide of the post, you just knew the game was up. The Frenchman found himself in the perfect position to head home what would have just been a deserved equaliser but he wastefully missed the target. He laid prostrate on the ground as virtually United's last chance went begging to leave a jubilant Chelsea to pick up another FA Cup triumph. Jose Mourinho was quick to point out at the final whistle that his side had been superior being the only one with genuine attacking intent. But the absence of Romelu Lukaku - only introduced as a late substitute - was surely the telling factor. The manager has mentioned before about the lack of challengers to the Belgian's pivotal role and here was a classic case in point. Try as he might, Marcus Rashford was unable to get the better of a resolute defence in which Courtois kept out two of the young England striker's efforts, as well as another from Nemanja Matic, whose last-gasp header, cleared the crossbar. Another abject first-half performance had seen the Reds trail to a coolly-taken Edan Hazard penalty. Phil Jones failed to cut out a through ball and the midfield maestro was away. Eventually, a last-ditch effort to thwart him failed and a yellow card for the Russia-bound centre-back was the least he deserved. United typically took control after the break and chances came and went as Chelsea resorted to exactly the same tactics their opponents would have employed had the positions been reversed. But late changes and a couple of other openings failed to send the encounter into extra time, leaving a trophy-less season and still many questions about the style of play and direction the club are pursuing." Commentary by Lew Fink
