Chelsea vs Man Utd LIVE: Premier League result and reaction as Cole Palmer wins it late on
Chelsea 4-3 Man Utd: Palmer’s hat-trick decides seven-goal thriller at Stamford Bridge
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Chelsea clinched a wonderfully thrilling contest with Manchester United on a drama filled night at Stamford Bridge. The Blues took the lead through Conor Gallagher in just the fourth minute as the hosts looked to impose themselves on the game. Things looked even better as Cole Palmer slotted home a penalty after Antony fouled Marc Cucurella in the box.
The first half continued in blistering fashion as Manchester United looked to fight back. It took a misplaced pass from Moises Caicedo to get United back into the game. Alejandro Garnacho took control of the ball, dipped into the box and scored past Dorde Petrovic.
Bruno Fernandes added the equaliser a few minutes later completing a fast and sweeping move with a header from the back post and the teams headed into the break on level terms. Garnacho’s next goal looked to have settled things in United’s favour but Palmer had the final say.
When Diogo Dalot brought down Noni Madueke in the tenth minute of stoppage time, Palmer slipped in the penalty before latching onto a corner a minute later and blazing a deflected strike into the back of the net. Chelsea took the match and Stamford Bridge erupted in jubilation.
Relive the action below plus get the latest odds and tips for the match right here:
Ten Hag gives update on injury crisis
It may not be all doom and gloom for Manchester United’s defence as Jonny Evans and Raphael Varane are both nearing comebacks.
United boss, Erik ten Hag provided an update on both saying: “On the frontline and midfield we are okay and we have options there but in the backline we have a lack of options.
“But the good thing is Raphael Varane and Jonny Evans are back in training this afternoon. Yesterday Harry Maguire was back in training.”
Manchester United face defensive injury crisis
Manchester United have suffered a double blow at the back with Lisandro Martinez and Victor Lindelof both ruled out for at least a month with muscle problems to give manager Erik ten Hag a potential defensive injury crisis for Thursday’s trip to Chelsea.
Martinez, who suffered a calf strain in training, faces a third spell on the sidelines this season after his latest comeback – as a substitute at Brentford on Saturday – only brought him 21 minutes of first-team football.
Sweden international Lindelof came off in the second half against Brentford with a hamstring injury. The 29-year-old missed 10 games earlier in the campaign with a groin problem.
Only Harry Maguire is definitely fit while Ten Hag is also without his two specialist left-backs, in Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia.
Marcus Rashford and the case to remain in England’s Euro 2024 squad
Marcus Rashford’s first taste of the European Championships came as an 18-year-old for a side whose campaign culminated with ignominious defeat to Iceland.
His second brought another ill-fated ending: with injury reducing him to a bit-part role, he had a late cameo at right-back and as a specialist penalty taker in the Euro 2020 final. And he missed the spot kick: inches from perfection, he instead struck the inside of Gianluigi Donnarumma’s post. Perhaps a shootout swung on it: Harry Kane and Harry Maguire had scored before, Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka missed afterwards.
Third time lucky in Euro 2024? It may have looked that way when Rashford scored a glorious goal to give England a modicum of revenge against Italy in October. Even as his form for Manchester United suffered, he excelled for England. Then Rashford looked a probable starter in Euro 2024. Now the danger is that he will not even be part of the squad.
Marcus Rashford and the case to remain in England’s Euro 2024 squad
The Manchester United forward saw Gareth Southgate turn to other attacking options when England chased the game against Belgium – and now faces an uncertain summer as Anthony Gordon, Jarrod Bowen and Cole Palmer compete for his place
Chelsea vs Man Utd prediction
Unlike some of the fixtures this week, this match is a close one to call.
If both teams perform at their best Manchester United probably have the edge. That said, both clubs tend to dip in form and quality as games go on meaning this result will come down to who turns up on the night.
Recently both Chelsea and Man Utd have been lacking in that area. The Blues don’t have a particularly strong recent record against the Red Devils but could secure a scappy and much-needed home win.
Chelsea 1-0 Manchester United.
Chelsea vs Man Utd predicted line-ups
Chelsea XI: Petrovic; Disasi, Silva, Badiashile, Chilwell; Caicedo, Fernandez; Palmer, Gallagher, Mudryk; Jackson.
Manchester United XI: Onana; Dalot, Maguire, Martinez, Wan-Bissaka; Casemiro, Mainoo; Garnacho, Fernandes, Rashford, Hojlund.
Early team news
Malo Gusto is the latest to join the ever-growing injury list at Chelsea after the full-back limped off with a hamstring issue against Burnley. Pochettino will hope to have Ben Chilwell available for selection again after the left-back missed last weekend’s game having returned from international duty with a knock.
Manchester United are also contending with defensive issues after both Raphael Varane and Victor Lindelof were substituted during the draw with Brentford. Harry Maguire could be in line to return to the starting XI having missed out with a knock picked up with England. Mason Mount, who scored on Saturday for the first time since his lengthy injury, could be in line to start against his former side.
How to watch Chelsea vs Man Utd
Chelsea vs Manchester United is due to kick off at 8.15pm BST on Thursday 4 April at Stamford Bridge.
Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the match live on TNT Sports 1, with coverage on the channel from 7.30pm BST. Subscribers can stream the action via discovery+.
If you’re travelling abroad and want to watch major sporting events, you might need a VPN to unblock your streaming app. Our VPN round-up is here to help and includes deals on VPNs in the market. Viewers using a VPN need to make sure that they comply with any local regulations where they are, and also with the terms of their service provider.
Good evening!
Welcome to The Independent’s coverage of tonight’s Premier League action as Chelsea host Manchester United.
Mauricio Pochettino’s side are hoping to move back into the top 10 but know they need to defeat the Red Devils at Stamford Bridge if they have any hope of shooting up the table. Currently sitting 12th in the league three points could jump them as high as 9th and leave the Blues with some hope of securing European football next year.
That goal is also Manchester United’s though they specifically hope to finish inside the top four and earn a Champions League spot. Aston Villa’s defeat to Man City and a draw for Tottenham mean their two immediate rivals have dropped points so if Erik ten Hag’s men win tonight they will have a shot at overhauling the deficit during the run in.
We’ll have all the team news, line-ups and latest updates throughout the night so stick around as we build up to kick off at 8.15pm.
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