Romelu Lukaku has been criticized this year for not scoring against the top clubs. He went a long way toward diminishing that reputation by supplying a goal and an assist for Manchester United vs Chelsea in a 2-1 victory for the Red Devils on Sunday at Old Trafford.
None of Lukaku’s first 12 goals this season came against teams in the top eight of the Premier League standings. His 13th, however, helped Manchester United jump back ahead of Liverpool into second place behind Manchester City. He equalized in the 39th minute seven minutes after a Willian opener and supplied the cross for Jesse Lingard to head home the winner in the 75th minute.
After verbal sparring in the media, Jose Mourinho and Antonio Conte share a laugh during the Manchester United vs Chelsea match. Photo: @utdxtra | Twitter
The first big moment of the match came less than five minutes in Alvaro Morata came as close to a goal as Alvaro Morata is allowed to come, hitting a shot off the crossbar following a brilliant build up, particularly the cross in by Marcos Alonso.
The first goal came for the visitors in the 32nd minute when Willian went from a defensive header in his own box to a smashing goal in about 15 seconds. He was aided by some questionable defending from Manchester United, which left him to run free in on David De Gea, who you expect to do more with a shot hit straight at him.
WILLIAN! Nearly went through the net that! #MUNCHE pic.twitter.com/DuzUvIhwim
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) February 25, 2018
It was Willian’s second goal in two matches after his excellent display against Barcelona at midweek in the Champions League.
Manchester United only trailed for seven minutes, equalizing in the 39th minute through Lukaku. The Belgian scored against his former club following some nice combination play started by Alexis Sanchez, with Anthony Martial supplying the assist.
A beautiful finish from Romelu Lukaku!
Manchester United v. Chelsea is level at 1, so get to NBCSN now! Or stream: https://t.co/LykEp2QJMY#MUNCHE pic.twitter.com/gSsK9qpYk5— NBCSN (@NBCSN) February 25, 2018
Lukaku spent a couple seasons with Chelsea after arriving in England from Anderlecht in 2011 but never scored for the Blues. He nearly doubled his tally midway through the second half with an acrobatic attempt just tipped over the bar by Thibaut Cortois.
Lukaku was again involved as Manchester United took the lead in the 75th minute, sending in a perfect cross that substitute Jesse Lingard couldn’t help but nod into the back of the net.
An INCREDIBLE ball from Lukaku and #JLingz heads it home! #MUNCHE pic.twitter.com/5c4GAvPVUi
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) February 25, 2018
Despite throwing on former Arsenal players Cesc Fabregas and Olivier Giroud and Willian playfully trying to read a note for Nemanja Matic, Chelsea couldn’t find a late equalizer. Well, they couldn’t find one that counted. Morata scored in the 86th minute but the goal was ruled out for offside. He didn’t look offside but we assume the assistant referee raised his flag because no one expects Morata to actually score a goal that counts.
In the end, it was Lukaku’s day for Manchester United vs Chelsea.
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