Thriller a reminder of the way things used to be

LATE LATE WINNER: Chelsea and Manchester United enjoyed a bit of old school football fun at Stamford Bridge, delivering an end-to-end seven- goal fest that reminded us of what this fixture used to be and showed their may be life in the old dogs yet.  Pic: Thomas Ash

Chelsea and Manchester United enjoyed a bit of old school football fun at Stamford Bridge, delivering an end-to-end seven- goal fest that reminded us of what this fixture used to be and showed their may be life in the old dogs yet - even if the level of defending was way off standard. Cole Palmer was the star of the show for Chelsea as he scored a remarkable hat-trick, including a penalty and a deflected winner in injury time to leave United, who had come back from 2-0 down to lead 3-2, demoralised and deflated.

It leaves Erik ten Hag under intense pressure coming straight after a miserable performance at Brentford last weekend.

It was an extraordinary game, no doubt about that.

But before Chelsea fans get too excited, this victory, however enjoyable, still revealed defensive frailties in a match that was hugely entertaining but still a long way away from the days when the Red Devils and the Blues dominated English football.

Memories of Jose Mourinho and Sir Alex Ferguson squaring up on the touchline sprung to mind during the build-up in west London, along with John Terry’s missed penalty that led to United glory in Moscow in 2008 and Didier Drogba’s FA Cup Final winner in 2007. Not to mention a plethora of title-deciding moments across almost a decade.

Roll forward to 2024, however, and the level is not the same – but the entertainment was still there.

The first half was almost comical in its openness.

When Chelsea scored after only four minutes with a strike from Conor Gallagher (one that United goalkeeper Onana should have done better with) and doubled it through a Cole Palmer penalty (given away by Antony) the roar from the Matthew Harding Stand still felt guttural. But the meaning of it all wasn’t the same.

Anyone who had seen United pummelled by Brentford a few days earlier, but somehow come away with a 1-1 draw, knew scoring against them in this year’s Premier League is hardly a momentous achievement. Even when, like Chelsea, you haven’t won against them for 12 Premier League games in a row.

That run is now over, but it didn’t always look likely.

United arrived at half-time level at 2-2 thanks to a terrible pass from Moises Caicedo (who, remember, cost 135m Euros), which was punished by Garnacho; and then a header from Bruno Fernandes, who was left completely unmarked at the far post, nobody was truly surprised.

We should enjoy the drama, of course, but the defending on show, and the brittle confidence that went with it, reminded everyone that despite the goals this was a battle for the top 10 and the top six, rather than a battle for trophies.

By half-time, Stamford Bridge, which had been so noisy after 20 minutes, but there was joy t o ome.

Was it fun? Oh, yes. A welcome outbreak of entertainment for fans who have been shortchanged now for several years in a row. But was it a sign that either of these sides are heading in the right direction? That answer is rather less certain.

What it did highlight, however, was two outstanding young players.

Chelsea’s Cole Palmer was outstanding. And Garnacho, who has been United’s shining light this season, put his side ahead again with a clever header from a wonderful ball by Antony (which somewhat made up for his penalty error).

Chelsea have now gone 12 games since keeping a clean sheet but this victory could change their fortunes.

They will be dreaming of winding back the years to the days when these two sides were comfortably the best in the country, with Mourinho and Ferugson battling it out for supremacy.

In the nine years between Mourinho's arrival at Chelsea in 2005 and Ferguson's departure from Old Trafford in 2013 the pair won eight Premier League titles between them (Chelsea three, United five).

Chelsea then won two more, in 2015 and 2017, as United's demise began - but soon matched the Red Devils' slump as Manchester City and Liverpool took over the reins.

Chelsea are celebrating today, of course, and they should enjoy it. Perhaps it will even see Pochettino keep his job and deliver success in the long erm.

But if anyone is dreaming of seeing Chelsea and United going head-to-head for the biggest trophies any time soon, then they may have a long, long wait – even on this evidence.

Mourinho has been sacked, re-hired and re-sacked since he began his career in England with a home win over United in 2004 – a result that set up a rivalry that continued for almost 10 years.

United, meanwhile, have failed miserably to replace Ferguson since he retired – and continue to flatter one week and deceive the next.

This result is one to be enjoyed, one to savour even for the Blues and it will keep the critics quiet for a while.

But, sorry Chelsea supporters, don’t get over-excited just yet. This was an important and dramatic win that reminded us all of what their side can be. But, sadly for fans of an old rivalry, it came against opponents who are no longer the important club they used to be