Chelsea: Three lessons learnt from more dropped points to United

A show of character, or a lack of it?

The period following Jorginho’s error, which had allowed Jadon Sancho in to score United’s only goal of the game from their first shot on target, can only be described as disappointing. Chelsea’s players seem completely lost as Manchester United found their confidence and slowly but steadily began to assert control over the game. For a side that is perhaps not used to games going against the way it is “supposed” to, the team’s ability to rally themselves after Jorginho netted the equalizer should be seen as a show of strength in character.

However, in the 19 minutes between Sancho’s goal and Jorginho’s penalty equalizer, the way in which the team threatened to capitulate was worrying. Perhaps it was due to United’s goal coming completely against the flow of match, or perhaps it was a certain level of overconfidence that was allowed to build up over the course of Chelsea’s ten match unbeaten streak. Either way, Chelsea did not seem well-equipped at all to deal with unexpected setbacks in a game. For a team comprising of veterans such as Thiago Silva and Rudiger, it is unacceptable that the momentum of the game was allowed to swing the way in which it did.

Despite Tuchel’s claims of Chelsea being on the “hunt” as “underdogs” in this season’s title race, both the manager and the players do harbor concrete intentions of winning the league this season. To do so, however, would require the mental capacity to not just anticipate, but also, to react to unfortunate circumstances on the pitch. With potentially tricky games against Watford, Leeds United and Everton coming up, Chelsea’s title credentials will be tested to its limits. It is up to the Blues to rise up to the challenge once again.

What did you learn from this match? Let us know in the comments and on Twitter!