Chelsea are facing an uphill battle to qualify for the Champions League after a 1-0 defeat by Manchester United. The loss at Stamford Bridge has increased the pressure on Liam Rosenior. He admitted his side now have ‘a mountain to climb’.
United Tighten Grip on Third Place
Matheus Cunha scored the only goal as Manchester United overcame defensive problems to tighten their grip on third place. Michael Carrick praised Ayden Heaven’s performance in central defence for United. He was also impressed with Kobbie Mainoo’s display in midfield.
United’s first win at Stamford Bridge since 2020 moved them 10 points clear of sixth place. “Coming here we haven’t had a great record,” Carrick said. “Records are there to be broken.”
Rosenior’s Frustration After Toothless Display
Chelsea are now four points off fifth-placed Liverpool. Liverpool have a chance to pull clear when they face Everton on Sunday afternoon. Chelsea were toothless against a makeshift defence and need a response when they visit Brighton on Tuesday.
“It gives us a mountain to climb,” Rosenior said. “It’s not insurmountable but it gives us a mountain to climb and we have to go into Brighton with an idea that we have to win that game and kickstart the rest of our season.”
Rosenior said he does not know what the consequences for the club’s transfer plans will be if they miss out on the Champions League. “The honest answer is we’re still fighting and we’ll address that situation at the end of the season, whatever the situation is,” he said.
“In terms of the game tonight, it’s a really, really difficult one to take because people don’t want to hear me say how well we played and didn’t win the game. We’re here to win.
- Chelsea have lost four straight league games without scoring for the first time since 1998.
- Manchester United have moved 10 points clear of sixth place.
- Chelsea are four points off fifth-placed Liverpool.
Injury Concerns for Chelsea
Rosenior said that a devastated Estêvão Willian was crying at half-time after suffering a hamstring injury. Enzo Fernández also limped off with a calf injury in the second half. Fernández was not given the captain’s armband after returning from a club imposed two-game ban, with Moisés Caicedo leading the side out instead.
“The decision is we have a leadership group,” Rosenior said. “I feel like wearing the armband is an honour for this club. Enzo played like a captain today. I thought he was magnificent. I think that shows actually where he’s been with us all this while. I’m very, very happy with his performance. I’m very, very happy with him.”
“There are many elements actually that the process of underlying things that we’re looking into suggest that if you stay in this process we will win games of football. It doesn’t look like it at the moment but the reality is Manchester United have come in, had one shot, won a goal against 10 men and won a game 1-0 which should be pretty much impossible.”
Chelsea need a response when they visit Brighton on Tuesday.