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FootballManchester United in control, Chelsea and Denis Zakaria at the party
The Red Devils made a good deal by dominating Nottingham Forrest (3-0). Facing Bournemouth at home (2-0), the Blues won their first league victory since mid-October. The Geneva midfielder celebrated his first start in the Premier League.
Accustomed to grimacing in recent weeks, Chelsea players have finally had the opportunity to smile.
Imago
Manchester United and Chelsea won with control against the two promoted Nottingham Forest (3-0) and Bournemouth (2-0), Tuesday evening during the 17th day of the English championship. The best deal in the standings is made by the Mancunians, 5th one point behind Tottenham, but with one more game to play. Their victory is all the more important as it comes after a turbulent international break, marked by the acrimonious departure of Cristiano Ronaldo and the sale of the club by the Glazer family.
Erik Ten Hag’s players made the difference in the first half. Marcus Rashford was first on the receiving end of a low corner kick by Eriksen (19th, 1-0), before Anthony Martial concluded a fine collective combination, just three minutes later, with Rashford for the serve (22nd, 2-0). Fred scored late in the game on a pass from Casemiro (87th, 3-0).
On the side of Nottingham Forrest, Remo Freuler played the entire meeting but he dreamed of a better result for his return to the league.
With three next matches against teams within reach (Wolverhampton, Bournemouth and Everton), the Red Devils can rest easy.
Chelsea is reassured
At the start of the evening, Chelsea reassured themselves (2-0) against an uninspired Bournemouth formation, thanks to two goals from Kai Havertz (16th) and Mason Mount (24th). A victory, the first since October 16, which allows him to take the second part of the championship by the right end: after a chaotic start to the season, saved by qualification for the knockout stages of the Champions League, the Blues n occupy only 8th place in the standings, 6 points behind 4th, Tottenham.
Graham Potter’s takeover of the team after Thomas Tuchel’s ousting in mid-September had been successful with a month of good results, but the weeks leading up to the World Cup had been tricky for Chelsea, with three straight defeats in the league at Brighton (1-4), ahead of Arsenal (0-1) and Newcastle (0-2). Graham Potter’s players were also knocked out of the League Cup by Manchester City.
Tuesday against Bournemouth, almost all of the goalscoring opportunities were obtained by the Blues, who outclassed their opponent without forcing their talent. The first two were good. Kai Havertz first received a perfect cross from Raheem Sterling at the far post, which allowed him to score his fourth league goal (16e, 1-0). The German centre-forward then gave a back pass to Mason Mount, who found a perfect angle outside the penalty area (24e2-0).
Still deprived of N’Golo Kanté as well as globalists Kovacic and Ziyech, the Londoners never left space for Bournemouth, except in the last quarter of an hour, and could have increased the score several times, with Mount and Sterling in added time but also Zakaria (53e), Havertz (60e), Jorginho (64e), Koulibaly (73e). The Geneva midfielder took advantage of the absences to make his third start of the season with the Blues, his very first in the league. Replaced at 82e minute, he performed well.
Denis Zakaria celebrated his first Premier League start against Bournemouth.
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Apart from a shot from Christie which was difficult to catch by Kepa (79e) and a header from Solanke wide in added time, Bournemouth were never in a position to take advantage of this trip to consolidate their small three-point lead over the first relegation player, Wolverhampton.
The only bad news: the injury to Reece James, who was making his first appearance since October. The right side limped out.
Continuation and end of this 17th day on Wednesday, with Leeds – Manchester City (9 p.m.), a crucial trip for Pep Guardiola’s players who are eight points behind leader Arsenal.
(AFP/Sport Center)