Manchester United 2-1 Chelsea: Post-match review, Stats, Key moments

Dive into Coral’s post-match review of Manchester United 2-1 Chelsea in the Premier League on Saturday, 20 September 2025, with stats, key moments and our take on the match.

Manchester United secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Chelsea at home, a result that might not have been surprising given their recent form. The Red Devils, coming off a loss to Manchester City and a win against Burnley, managed to extend their positive momentum with this win. Key moments included early goals from Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro, which set the tone for the match. Despite Chelsea's late push with a goal from Trevoh Chalobah, United held firm to claim all three points.

Chelsea, on the other hand, will be disappointed with the outcome, especially after a strong performance against West Ham in their last away game. The early red card to Robert Sánchez in the 5th minute certainly disrupted their plans, but they showed resilience by fighting back late in the game. This loss ends a run of positive results for Chelsea, who had previously drawn with Brentford and won against Fulham and West Ham. The Blues will need to regroup quickly as they look to maintain their position in the top half of the table.

The statistics from the match suggest that Chelsea had the upper hand in terms of possession, holding 59% compared to Manchester United's 41%. Despite this, United managed to secure the win, which indicates their efficiency in front of goal. Both teams had an equal number of corners at five each, showing a balanced approach to attacking play. The high number of cards, with Chelsea receiving five yellows and one red, and Manchester United receiving two yellows and one yellow/red, highlights the intensity and physicality of the game.

The match's early stages were crucial, with Bruno Fernandes opening the scoring for Manchester United in the 14th minute, setting a positive tone for the home side. Shortly after, Casemiro added a second goal in the 37th minute, which seemed to put United in a commanding position. However, the game took a dramatic turn when Casemiro received a yellow/red card in the 45+5th minute, leaving United with ten men for the second half.

Chelsea capitalised on their numerical advantage late in the game, with Trevoh Chalobah scoring in the 80th minute to set up a tense finish. Despite the early red card to Robert Sánchez in the 5th minute, Chelsea showed resilience and nearly salvaged a point. The substitutions made by both teams, particularly Manchester United's five changes, played a significant role in managing the game's flow and maintaining their lead.

Manchester United lined up in a 3-4-2-1 formation, with Altay Bayındır in goal and a back three of Matthijs de Ligt, Harry Maguire, and Luke Shaw. The midfield was anchored by Casemiro, who played a pivotal role with his goal and assist before his sending off. Bruno Fernandes was the standout performer, scoring the opening goal and leading the team from midfield. The substitutions, including Manuel Ugarte and Mason Mount, helped United maintain control and secure the win despite being a man down.

Chelsea opted for a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Robert Sánchez in goal before his early red card forced a change. The backline of Reece James, Wesley Fofana, Trevoh Chalobah, and Marc Cucurella struggled to contain United's early attacks. In midfield, Enzo Fernández and Moisés Caicedo worked hard but couldn't prevent the early goals. The late goal from Chalobah showed some fight, but the early red card and subsequent adjustments disrupted their rhythm.

Bruno Fernandes is Coral’s Man of the Match, and his performance justified this accolade. Scoring the opening goal in the 14th minute, Fernandes set the tone for Manchester United's victory. His key pass also contributed to the team's attacking play, even though he didn't create any big chances. Fernandes' leadership and impact on the game were crucial in securing the three points.

• Win: 2-1 vs Chelsea (H)

• Loss: 0-3 vs Manchester City (A)

• Win: 3-2 vs Burnley (H)

• Draw: 1-1 vs Fulham (A)

• Loss: 1-2 vs Manchester United (A)

• Draw: 2-2 vs Brentford (A)

• Win: 2-0 vs Fulham (H)

• Win: 5-1 vs West Ham United (A)

With their league position now at 10 and 7 points, Manchester United will look to build on this victory when they face Brentford, who are currently 17th with 4 points, on September 27, 2025. This result should boost their confidence, and they will likely approach the game with a focus on maintaining their momentum and improving their league standing.

Chelsea, now sitting at 6th with 8 points, will need to bounce back quickly as they prepare to face Lincoln City on September 23, 2025 in the EFL Cup. The loss to Manchester United might prompt them to reassess their approach, especially in terms of discipline and early game management, to ensure they can continue their push for a top-four finish in the premier league.

• Brentford Vs Man United

• Leeds United Vs Bournemouth

• Chelsea Vs Brighton

• Man City Vs Burnley

• Aston Villa Vs Fulham

• Crystal Palace Vs Liverpool

• Nottingham Forest Vs Sunderland

• Tottenham Vs Wolves

• Newcastle Vs Arsenal

• Everton Vs West Ham

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