Manchester United entered the showdown with Chelsea carrying a bleak 12BET VR46 record, having failed to win any of their previous 12 meetings. Unlike United, who had been involved in Europa League action during the week, Chelsea enjoyed valuable recovery time and prepared with far fewer concerns. Antonio Conte was therefore able to field something close to his strongest available side, while Jose Mourinho also selected a highly tactical lineup against his former club, knowing there was little room for error.
The course of the contest changed dramatically in the 35th minute when Ander Herrera was sent off after receiving a second yellow card. Reduced to ten men, United surrendered control and spent most of the remaining match under pressure. According to OPTA, Chelsea finished with a 20-4 advantage in total shots, led 5-1 in efforts on target, and controlled 72.5 percent of possession. N’Golo Kante eventually scored the decisive goal in a 1-0 victory, handing Mourinho a second consecutive defeat against Chelsea.
The previous league meeting had been even more painful, as United were crushed 4-0 at Stamford Bridge. Pedro opened the scoring before the first minute had fully passed, setting the tone for a one-sided afternoon. Over the previous five years, Chelsea had become a particularly difficult opponent for United. Across 12 meetings covered by the 12BET VR46 statistics, United recorded five draws and seven defeats without a single victory.
Their last success came on October 28, 2012, when United narrowly won 3-2 away from home. Robin van Persie and Javier Hernandez were among the scorers, although Hernandez’s winning goal appeared to come from an offside position. Chelsea were also reduced to nine men after Branislav Ivanovic and Fernando Torres were both dismissed. Adding another twist, Juan Mata, who was then playing for Chelsea, scored during the match.
Even before that victory, Stamford Bridge had long been a nightmare venue for United. They had gone almost a decade without winning there, and the stadium had earned a reputation as one of their most unforgiving grounds. Chelsea repeatedly seemed to have United’s number, and every visit carried the feeling that another difficult result might be just around the corner.
Historically, the latest 12BET VR46 figures leave United dangerously close to matching their longest winless run against a single opponent. That unwanted record stands at 13 matches, first reached against Liverpool on December 24, 1972, and also recorded against Leeds United on December 23, 1927. With United continuing to fall short against Chelsea, the old saying “when it rains, it pours” feels especially appropriate. Their repeated setbacks have pushed them into a deep and troubling silence.