Reactions as Chelsea defeat Man Utd to compound Carrick’s woes
Reactions have continued to trail Chelsea’s 2-0 win over Manchester United in a Premier League encounter at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.
The Blues bounced back from the defeats to Tottenham and Liverpool to earn a vital win in their top-four chase.
However, It was another disappointing showing from Manchester United, which has further increased the pressure on Michael Carrick.
The Red Devils have now failed to win in their last nine matches in all competitions.
Despite a strong performance in the first half, Manchester United capitulated in the second half to fall to their third consecutive defeat.
Carrick expressed his frustration that the Reds were unable to build on an encouraging first-half display.
He said: “You know it was as good as we’ve played for some time in the first half, coming here and playing that way. Looking so dangerous and having chances and opportunities, and we could have created more chances with the spaces that we opened up.
“So, going in at half-time, there’s a positive feeling but a little bit of disappointment, knowing that we hadn’t capitalised on such a good performance. Then, the second half just kind of got away from us, the goal and then, after that, it kind of became a difficult afternoon really.”
The English manager said the team can take some from positives from the first-half performance.
He said: “I think I take away a lot of the positives from the first half. I think we still take away, though, finding a way to let the game unravel and it get away from us. It’s happened too often really so we’ve got to learn from that and we’ve got to do something about it pretty quickly.”
On the other hand, Chelsea coach, Xabi Alonso, was pleased with the team’s performance, while also reserving praises for Romeo Lavia and Estevao Willian.
Read Also: Aston Villa initiate legal action against Jamie Carragher over remarks
He said: “I think that there were different moments in the game. The first half was intense, there was momentum for both sides. United had their chances, we were close as well, so at half-time we have spoken and the reaction from the second half was better.
“We started quite well, we got the lead, we looked in better control and after with the 2-0 and the red card the context of the game changed. But you know, it has not been easy.”
Alonso was delighted with Estevao’s performance against Manchester United.
He added: “We spoke after Tottenham and he knew that he was going to be playing tonight, today. He has had the best response to show that he deserves more, that he was prepared and that’s what you want from a football player, so I’m very happy for him.
He deserved to enjoy his game, he had a good connection with the crowd. He was really close to scoring that goal. In the end he fought really hard, he was tired and it was a good day for him.”
The former Real Madrid coach described Romeo Lavia’s showing against Manchester United as top performance following his second consecutive 90 minutes.
Alonso concluded: “He knew in the right moment, but he knew yesterday. From a midfielder point of view, for me it has been a top, top performance.
“He’s done so many things right, he’s been always connecting the defence with the attacker players, he’s been able to switch the game, he’s taken many right decisions, he’s been very dynamic, competitive.
“So I think that not just this game, for the last two, three weeks he’s been playing at a very good level and I’m very happy for him and today he deserves a huge recognition for his performance.”
It was Manchester United’s fourth defeat in the Premier League this season to sit 16th.
Manchester United are now without a win in nine games in all competitions, their longest such run since October-November 1988.
Chelsea will return to action in the Premier League on Sunday against Sunderland, while Manchester United will aim to end their winless run when they take on Aston Villa on the same day.
