“Antonio, Antonio,” rang around Stamford Bridge as Chelsea inflicted another defeat on a grim-faced Jose Mourinho and his Manchester United.
A towering header from Alvaro Morata, the striker Mourinho overlooked to sign Romelu Lukaku instead, was enough with Chelsea arresting their own simmering crisis. Lukaku was desperately disappointing.
For Mourinho it is now 10 games, no wins, one goal in away games against the other ‘top six’ clubs, as first Chelsea and United manager, and there can be no disputing the result.
The true winners were Manchester City, of course, who saw their lead at the top of the table extended to eight points, in effect nine when their commanding goal difference, is factored in.
For Antonio Conte, the Chelsea manager, this was a rallying point of a result going into the international break and following the chaotic Champions League defeat away to Roma in midweek.
United, meanwhile, were caught between two stools – they had to come out and play and try to win but were undone defensively. Mourinho has been stung by criticism of his conservative in recent big games but this result will sting even more.
