Plenty of matches may be billed as the irresistible force against the immovable object. Given the record-breaking personnel involved, perhaps Chelsea against Manchester United on Sunday actually is.
In the red corner, Cristiano Ronaldo, bidding to become the first footballer ever to score 800 competitive goals. The Portuguese’s strike against Villarreal took him to 799 for clubs and country.
The fact that only one has come in his last six Premier League games is an indication of the problems that brought the sacking of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. But as his opportunistic lob in Spain showed, Ronaldo is not the highest scorer in the histories of Portugal, Real Madrid, the Champions League and international football for nothing.
In the blue corner, a collective where the faces change but the commitment to keeping clean sheets does not. The Chelsea defence can feature Thiago Silva, the only outfield player in this season’s Premier League who is older than Ronaldo, and the rookie Trevoh Chalobah.
They specialise in shutouts: 31 in Thomas Tuchel’s first 50 games in charge, when just 24 goals were conceded, which is a record for a manager at any English club. It is an indication of how parsimonious Chelsea are that Juventus’ Wojciech Szczesny has conceded more goals at Stamford Bridge this season than Edouard Mendy.
If the damning statistic for United is that they have let in as many league goals as Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City have between them, it is partly because of the astonishing frugality of Tuchel’s team. These are early days but they are on course to break a top-flight record set by a defensive strategist who managed both clubs: Jose Mourinho’s 2004-05 Chelsea side were only breached 15 times. Last season, everyone conceded at least twice as many.
Villarreal v Manchester United ratings
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VILLARREAL RATINGS: Geronimo Rulli, 5 - Looked in control until a sloppy pass and poor positioning led to United making it 1-0 - and the rest, as they say, is history. PA -
Juan Foyth, 6 - Was a fantastic aerial presence for Villarreal but let himself down by giving the ball away in the lead-up to the second goal. AP -
Raul Albiol, 6 - The experience was on full display in what proved to be a relatively solid night at the office. Getty -
Pau Torres, 6 - Was dragged across for the goal that killed off the game, although his overall composure was still impressive. AFP -
Pervis Estupinan, 6 - Made good runs and showed good physicality, even if he couldn’t put in that final ball needed to unlock United’s defence. AFP -
Daniel Parejo, 6 - Showed good instincts when darting into the final third but couldn’t string together consistent, successful passes. EPA -
Etienne Capoue, 7 - Dictated the pace in the middle of the park but fell away as the game went on and could have done better for the opener. AFP -
Manuel Trigueros, 6 - Only had a few moments to make an impact and still managed to force a great save from de Gea in the 59th minute. AFP -
Moi Gomez, 7 - Opened up space, ran through the heart of Manchester United’s midfield at will and generally ran the show for Villarreal. AFP -
Yeremi Pino, 6 - Had some nice build-up play throughout but let himself down with the end product time and time again. AFP -
Arnaut Danjuma, 4 - Couldn’t get the service he needed and looked completely off his game whenever he found himself in space. EPA -
SUBS: Alberto Moreno, N/A - Was left helpless and overrun as the Red Devils scored their second and sealed all three points. EPA -
Samuel Chukwueze, N/A - Looked energetic even though the tempo was gone from Villarreal’s play by the time he was introduced. AFP -
Dani Raba, N/A - Made a brief cameo that involved a few touches and a lot of ball-watching as United took over the game. Boulaye Dia, N/A -- Barely got a touch of the ball and wasn’t able to influence the play for his side. AFP -
MANCHESTER UNITED RATINGS: David De Gea 8 - Busy first half with two decent saves. Best save was after 27 minutes, but that was nothing compared to a diving save from Trigueros on 58. Those saves kept his team in the game. Reuters -
Alex Telles 6 - Excellent cross towards McTominay from a free-kick after three minutes. Ball sailed over his head from goalkeeper Rulli on 27 and led to a Villarreal shot on target. Then he turned and crossed a beautiful ball to Ronaldo on 30. Losing possession and positioning led to another attack on 31. Getty -
Harry Maguire 7 - Better than recently, which isn’t saying much, but steady under pressure which came halfway through the second half. Nice ball towards Rashford, which was offside. Right to lead his players to the away fans at the end. Getty -
Victor Lindelof 7 - Headed an 11th minute in swinging corer away as Pino came behind him. Clattered to the ground after winning the ball against Danjuma on 38. United’s defensive shape was tighter as they tried to stop leaking so many goals and it worked. AP -
Aaron Wan-Bissaka 6 - Backed off in a move which led to Villarreal’s first shot on goal. Villareal had the run of the left wing, just as they’d had at Old Trafford, though he cut out a pass from Gomez. Lost possession on 44 which led to another chance. Still nowhere near the level he should be at, but better towards the end. EPA -
Fred 8 - Quiet first half, more influence in the second. Shot on target after 55, but it was a limp effort. Got a foot in to break up a Villarreal attack a minute later. Excellent ball to Rashford on 74 and was alert to Rulli’s poor ball out to set up Ronaldo. Got the move going for the second, too. Fred -
Scott McTominay 7 - Headed wide after three minutes. Ran the ball away from goal on 27 and did that well. Worked hard and fine pass around the corner towards Rashford leading to the second. Getty -
Anthony Martial 5 - Surprise start. Started on the middle with Ronaldo to his left. Did little in a tough first half for his team. Taken off. Getty -
Donny van de Beek 6 - Rewarded with a start after a decent cameo at Watford but couldn’t match that impact. Booked stretching for the ball on 41. Pushed hard, ran to enforce a press. Off for Fernandes. PA -
Jadon Sancho 8 - Super cross after 28, then dribbled his way into losing the ball 10 minutes later from his position on the right. That was when he was more advanced, which he wasn’t enough. Grew with his team late on and scored his first United goal, a stunning strike. EPA -
Cristiano Ronaldo 7 - Started on the left. Frustrated when Van De Beek couldn’t read his 23rd minute pass. Weak header on target after 30, but in the air was where he found space. Scored the key goal, a lofted finish, and another winner against Villarreal. Almost scored another on 84. Getty -
SUBS: Bruno Fernandes 8 - On for Van de Beek. He was a surprise omission from the starting XI, but Bruno has been poor by his usual standards. Changed the game from Villarreal being on top to United being on top. Shot on target deflected by Pau Torres on 85. Reuters -
Marcus Rashford 7 - On for Martial in a double substitution which Carrick had to make as Villarreal pushed towards a goal. It worked as he played off the shoulder of defender Estupinan. Trickery and a shot on target after 84. Getty -
Nemanja Matic N/A - On for Ronaldo after 90 minutes to use some seconds up and defend the lead. EPA -
Juan Mata N/A - On for Sancho. EPA
When Frank Lampard was sacked in January, Chelsea had let in more than Burnley. If the subsequent 10 months highlight the brilliance of Tuchel’s coaching, the effectiveness of his 3-4-3 formation, the ease with which he has swapped players in and out and the excellence of the rejuvenated Antonio Rudiger, it may offer United hope that they, with the third worst defensive record, can effect a similar transformation under new management.
The figures nevertheless suggest Chelsea’s defensive record is flattering. They have allowed opponents 34 shots on target to City’s 15. Their expected goals, reflecting the calibre of chances teams have, suggest they should have conceded 11 goals, not four. It is also a sign of Mendy’s magnificent form, and having a superb goalkeeper, much like having a virtuoso goalscorer, is a perfectly legitimate way to win the numbers game.
United’s caretaker manager Michael Carrick may have introduced an element of uncertainty to Tuchel’s planning. Ronaldo started on the left against Villarreal. It makes the role of Chelsea’s right-sided centre-back still more important. It has been filled in the last two games by Chalobah, the 22-year-old who was loaned out to Lorient last season and who scored his first Champions League goal in the rout of Juventus but Cesar Azpilicueta or Andreas Christensen offer more experienced alternatives.
Chelsea thrash Juventus
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CHELSEA RATINGS: Edouard Mendy – 7, Had very little to do throughout with Chelsea pinning their visitors into their half, though will be praising his defence for a superb goal-line clearance having been caught out by Morata’s looping attempt. Was forced into a late save by McKennie. AFP -
Trevoh Chalobah – 7, Kept his place in the starting line-up as part of back three for the Blues to make his full Champions League debut, and it will be one to be remember, with the young defender half-volleying into Juve’s goal from a corner. EPA -
Antonio Rudiger – 7, Fancied a chance in the 18th minute after scoring against Leicester at the weekend, though it was well-wide and a wasted chance. Too often given a chance by Juve to move forward. Provided a perfectly weighted pass to Reece James in the lead up to Chelsea’s third goal. Reuters -
N’Golo Kante – 6, Lively cameo and did well to catch Rabiot, who was taking his time on the ball. Opened up Juventus’ defence just after Chelsea’s opener, though Pulisic’s decision-making was questionable. Picked up an injury just before half-time for an early change as a precaution. AP Photo -
Jorginho – 7, Captained the side with Cesar Azpilicueta kept out by James and played some lovely balls and delivered a lovely through ball just before the half-time whistle. Made easy work in the middle of the park as he helped his side dominate the game. Reuters -
Ben Chilwell – 7, Saw plenty of the action early on and couldn’t convert an early shot after good work by Kante. Some lovely link-up on the left by him and Hudson-Odoi. Raised concerns after being down for a long time with a leg issue and needing help off the pitch by the physios. AP Photo -
Hakim Ziyech – 7, Chosen to start ahead of Mount who was recovering from tooth surgery. Perhaps a little too keen during the opening stages and victim to losing the ball and overdoing a pass. Played in Hudson-Odoi with a great ball to run onto just after the break. Could have got Chelsea’s fourth if not for an excellent low save by Szczesny. AFP -
Christian Pulisic – 6, Scored after coming off the bench vs Leicester and replaced an injured Kai Havertz to lead the line but looked rusty in the first half, making the wrong decisions and often lonely despite Juve playing extremely deep into their half. AFP -
SUB: Ruben Loftus-Cheek (for Kante 37’) – 7, Came on just before half-time with Kante suffering an injury. Great work to keep the ball alive and tangle Juve’s defence for Hudson-Odoi to slot home. AFP -
SUB: Cesar Azpilicueta (for Chilwell 72’) – N/R Part of a double change for the Blues to replace Chilwell on the left-wing after the young left-back went down with a knock. EPA -
SUB: Mason Mount (for Hudson-Odoi 76’) – N/R His boss mentioned Mount would be used as an impact sub, with the young player still recovering from tooth surgery, but Mount had limited to do during his short appearance. AFP -
JUVENTUS RATINGS: Wojciech Szczesny – 7, Had to quickly react after Reece James’ freekick surprised everyone. Superb work by the goalkeeper to keep out another powerful shot by James before half-time. Pulled off a brilliant save to stop a fourth goal. AFP -
Juan Cuadrado – 6, Panicked early on with Chelsea players closing down and forcing mistakes. Found difficulty dealing with the overload to Hudson-Odoi and Chilwell on the wing. Booked within 23 minutes. Reuters -
Leonardo Bonucci – 6, Got back in time to clear the ball before a chased-down Hudson-Odoi could double Chelsea’s tally. Left a lot of the work to his centre-back partner in De Ligt. Reuters -
Matthijs de Ligt – 6, Took no risk in clearing James’ ball in the box just before half-time. Did extremely well to force Ziyech to pass instead of shoot into an open goal, allowing his teammates to get back and keep Hudson-Odoi from netting after half time. AP Photo -
Alex Sandro – 5, Replaced an injured Danilo in full-back and the Brazilian was at a disadvantage too often, giving James so much space to run into on the wing. Nowhere to be seen and defended too narrowly for James’ goal. PA -
Adrien Rabiot – 5, Took too much time on the ball against a Chelsea side closing down Juve players very high up the pitch and was dispossessed by Kante, though he managed to track back well to clear any danger. PA -
Manuel Locatelli – 6, Well timed tackle early on to stop Rudiger after the German was allowed to dart into the box. Supplied a lovely ball over Chelsea’s defence to set Morata free before Thiago Silva came to the rescue with a last-ditch clearance. AP Photo -
Weston McKennie – 7, Linked with moves to the Premier League and will continue to attract interest, with the American dominating in a defensive role in midfield as he tried to keep Chelsea out with tackles, blocks and interceptions. Forced Mendy into a brilliant save late on but poor defending ahead of Chelsea’s fourth goal. Reuters -
Federico Chiesa – 5, Scored the only goal in the club’s last meeting in September but missing in the first half as he struggled to be efficient in a front two pairing with Morata. Reuters -
SUB: Paulo Dybala (for Bentancur 59’) – 6, Returned after missing Juve’s fixture at Lazio as Massimiliano Allegri looked for a way back into the game. Couldn’t keep his volley low in what would have been a stunning long-range effort. AFP -
SUB: Arthur (for Locatelli, 68’) – N/R The Brazilian saw lacklustre effort go wide of Mendy’s goal but it was a largely uneventful substitute appearance. AP Photo -
SUB: Moise Kean (for Morata 68’) – N/R The Everton loanee came on with his side 3-0 down as Allegri looked to instil some energy into his front pairing and was straight into the action, fouling Rudiger. Saw a weak effort bounce wide of the post. AFP -
SUB: Koni De Winter (for Cuadrado 81’) – N/R The U23’s player made his Champions League debut in a late substitution for the Italian side but was caught out ahead of Chelsea’s fourth. AFP -
SUB: Dejan Kulusevski (for Chiesa 80’) – N/R The Sweden international was given a short run-out after failing to keep his place in the side, despite playing 75 minutes against Lazio. AFP
Tuchel has proved adept at selecting the right players for the right games. That task has become harder with Ben Chilwell sustaining a cruciate ligament injury when he was in the form of his life.
But, while Romelu Lukaku could make his comeback against his old club, Tuchel has rendered the £98 million man less important by turning his defenders into a bunch of budding Ronaldos. Chelsea’s wing-backs have scored nine goals this season, their centre-backs a further seven. Reece James has scored as many as Chelsea have conceded in both the Premier League (four) and the Champions League (one).
If Ronaldo can be painted as the selfish scorer, the player who contributes little else, the Chelsea defence are the selfless scorers. Over the Portuguese’s extraordinary career, no one can rival his record. This season, James has as many Premier League goals.
It is a reason why Chelsea and United sit first and eighth.
