Chelsea Put United to the Sword in Five-Star Rout
The champions turned a meeting billed as a stern test into a 5-1 demolition, with Lionel Messi leading the charge.
Chelsea’s unbeaten league run was on the line against old rivals Manchester United on Wednesday, while the visitors arrived fifth and with little room for another stumble. The champions answered the test with five goals, four of them before half-time, and a 5-1 win that left their place at the summit beyond question: Chelsea had already secured the English Premier Division title, and now have 103 points from 37 games.
Lionel Messi drove low and hard through the middle in the 24th minute; Antonio López added another seven minutes later, driving the ball along the ground. Roberto Baggio made it three in the 36th, his drive finding a way in near a post.
Joaquín struck just before the break, his shot flying high beneath the bar and in near a post. Four goals, four different scorers, and a Chelsea crowd with every reason to sing: the old rivals had been swept aside before the interval.
Fabián Silva briefly gave the visitors a foothold with a low drive in the 80th minute, but substitute Júnior had the answer five minutes later, steering a low shot with his foot near a post.
Messi was named man of the match after scoring once and supplying an assist, before making way in the 54th minute. Baggio, also withdrawn then, had scored and assisted. Chelsea have now gone seven league games unbeaten since their last defeat. Manchester United remain fifth on 60 points, and this was an emphatic reminder of the distance between a side chasing the champions and the champions themselves.
Chelsea can turn their attention to tomorrow’s league meeting with Watford, with the FA Cup final against Queens Park Rangers still to come on 24 May.