Chapter 653: The Comeback
Reflecting on last season's matches against Manchester United, it seemed that whenever United needed a boost, they turned to Chelsea for an easy win, always walking away satisfied.
That bitter feeling of helplessness returned as Chelsea conceded an early goal. Was history about to repeat itself?
The camera focused on the sidelines. Mourinho, arms raised in celebration, appeared to be shouting something in triumph. The scene quickly switched to Chelsea's bench, where Maurizio Sarri stood momentarily stunned. Snapping back to reality, the Italian manager began shouting, clapping, and gesturing wildly, urging his players on.
Deep down, Sarri knew what was at stake. Chelsea couldn't afford to be etched into history as the team that allowed Manchester United to equal Arsenal's legendary unbeaten run.
Chelsea's counterattack was fiercer than Mourinho had anticipated.
A Fiery Equalizer
In the 19th minute, Chelsea mounted an attack. Matić sent a diagonal pass to Willian, who dashed down the wing. Faking an inside move, he suddenly delivered a sharp horizontal pass.
Maguire tried to clear the ball but only managed a deflection, sending it rolling toward the edge of the penalty area.
Jorginho pounced, firing a shot from range. Kanté blocked it with his body, but the ball rebounded to Lukaku, who shielded Van Dijk, turned, and unleashed a half-volley that sailed past De Gea's outstretched left hand into the net.
1–1. Chelsea leveled the match.
Chelsea Takes the Momentum
The equalizer lifted Chelsea's spirits, energizing both their attack and defense.
In the 31st minute, they pieced together an elegant attacking sequence. Willian, after weaving through defenders, delivered a precise cross. Matić let it pass, and Lukaku nudged it forward to Hazard, whose sharp strike was tipped by De Gea onto the post.
"Brilliant attack! That's the Chelsea we know and remember!" exclaimed Martin Tyler.
Sarri rose from his seat, clapping and shouting his approval for the team's effort.
But Mourinho wasn't pleased. Standing on the sidelines, he yelled, "Mark your man!"
Van Dijk had lost track of Hazard in the defensive sequence, allowing him to find space.
Mourinho's Counter
Returning to his bench, Mourinho turned to his assistants. "What do you think, Rui?" he asked Faria.
"Chelsea's showing great fighting spirit. It's going to be a tough match," Faria replied. "Do we need to adjust anything?"
"No," Mourinho shook his head. "Not yet. We're playing well. But have you noticed…"
He gestured toward Chelsea's right flank.
"You're talking about Azpilicueta pushing too far forward?" chimed in Carrick.
"Exactly," Mourinho said with a sly smile. "This opens up opportunities for Mbappé. It's just a matter of getting the ball to him at the right moment. And I trust Bruno to make that happen."
A Masterclass in Counterattacking
In midfield, Matić controlled the ball, but Kanté signaled Herrera to press him.
Herrera's pressure forced Matić into a hurried pass to Kovacic, who had little time to react as Luke Shaw charged toward him. Startled, Kovacic attempted a cross-field pass to Azpilicueta.
But the pass was a trap—one that Manchester United had been waiting for. Kanté anticipated it, intercepted the ball, and quickly passed to Bruno, signaling the start of a counterattack.
Bruno wasted no time. Spotting Mbappé unmarked on the left wing, he delivered a perfectly weighted long pass that bypassed Chelsea's midfield.
Mbappé's Sprint
Martin Tyler shouted, "Mbappé! Kylian Mbappé is through!"
Azpilicueta had pushed too far forward, leaving a massive gap behind him. Bruno's pinpoint pass landed in that space, and Mbappé, with his trademark speed, chased it down.
"Mbappé didn't stop the ball completely! He's kept it rolling to maintain his momentum—brilliant decision!" praised Chinese commentator He Wei.
"United's counterattack is lethal!" added Zhang Lu.
Azpilicueta desperately tried to catch up but quickly realized he was no match for the Frenchman's pace.
As Mbappé approached the penalty area, Chelsea's defense scrambled. Only David Luiz and Rüdiger stood between United and the goal.
Mbappé crossed low into the box. At the near post, Harry Kane feinted as if to control the ball, drawing Rüdiger's full attention. Instead, Kane cleverly flicked the ball with his heel, sending it behind him.
Bruno's Finish
Bruno Fernandes, charging forward, reached the ball ahead of David Luiz. Without breaking stride, he spun and struck a powerful shot.
"Bruno!" Andy Gray roared as the ball soared past Kepa's left hand and into the net.
"GOOOOOOOOOAL!"
Celebration and Frustration
United's bench erupted in cheers. Mourinho, about to celebrate with his usual exuberance, was tackled into a hug by Faria and Carrick.
On the pitch, United fans in the away section roared in delight, while Chelsea supporters watched in dismay.
"2–1! Bruno's goal puts Manchester United back in the lead!" Tyler exclaimed. "That's his ninth Premier League goal this season—one for every match played so far. The reigning World Player of the Year is on fire!"
Mourinho seized the momentum, calling Bruno and Kanté to the sideline to issue tactical instructions.
Sarri, watching from Chelsea's bench, frowned. "If I'm not mistaken, Mourinho's going to disrupt the flow of the game now," he muttered to assistant Gianfranco Zola.
Sure enough, United ramped up their midfield pressing, breaking up Chelsea's rhythm and forcing their attacks to fall apart.
Halftime
By the time the first half ended, neither team had added to the scoreline. Chelsea 1–2 Manchester United.
"United are playing brilliantly under Mourinho," Tyler remarked during the halftime break. "His tactical adjustments after taking the lead were spot on, throwing Chelsea off balance."
On the pitch, Chelsea players left with heavy hearts. Though they had played one of their best halves against Mourinho's United, the weight of the occasion loomed large.
Meanwhile, United's players walked off with smiles, chatting and laughing.
Mourinho waited at the tunnel, exchanging high-fives and hugs with his team. "Great job!" he said, giving Bruno a hearty slap on the back. As they walked together, Mourinho spoke animatedly, and Bruno nodded along, absorbing every word.
(Chapter End)
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