Scott McTominay scored twice at Old Trafford for the second time this season, giving Manchester United a vital victory and relieving pressure on manager Erik ten Hag.
The Scotland midfielder’s latest effort against Chelsea was not as exciting as the two goals he scored in injury time against Brentford in October.
On a night when United squandered a slew of chances, including a penalty from Bruno Fernandes, it was just as welcome.
McTominay’s first shot was an instinctive strike from 12 yards after the rebound from Harry Maguire’s saved header bounced beautifully for him.
McTominay then raced in at the far post to slam home Alejandro Garnacho’s cross 21 minutes from time after Cole Palmer had leveled just before the interval.
He should have had his first career hat-trick after being set up by Antony, but he scuffed his finish into the ground.
It didn’t matter in the end, as United held off late Chelsea pressure, with replacement Armando Broja heading against the post.
Just over 15 years after these two met in a Champions League final, as part of a seven-year sequence in which one or the other finished up with the Premier League trophy, the hosts only moved up to sixth place, while their guests remained in tenth.
It also increased United’s current dominance in these encounters to 12 games, while Chelsea’s wait for an away win now exceeds 11 years.
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Credit: BBC Sport, Chelsea.com