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Manchester United suffered a crushing defeat on Thursday evening, conceding twice in stoppage time to fall to a 4-3 loss to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
Whereas United went two targets down after simply 19 minutes, they did effectively to launch a comeback, rising to a 3-2 lead earlier than their final capitulation on the dying.
From the primary whistle, struggling winger Antony confirmed his want to earn his place in Erik ten Hag’s beginning 11.
Antony regarded to seize the lead for United from the primary minute, taking a shot from shut vary that was blocked. As soon as United went a purpose down, he tried his signature shot from the sting of the field, curling the ball into the far publish to power a save from the Chelsea goalkeeper.
Whereas unable to get on the scoresheet, the Brazilian was a relentless risk to Chelsea’s defence, getting one shot on course whereas two makes an attempt had been blocked. He additionally by no means bought a shot astray, thus displaying that his accuracy has improved.
One space the place Antony improved immensely from earlier matches was by exhibiting high quality on the ball. He managed to finish six of his seven tried dribbles whereas successful 9 of his 16 duels in whole.
The Brazilian additionally did effectively to trace again and support his group in defence, finishing two tackles whereas solely being dribbled previous as soon as. The one defensive mishap that he carried out, nevertheless, got here within the nineteenth minute when he gave away a penalty.
Upon nearer inspection, there wasn’t a lot in his sort out on Marc Cucurella, along with his knee nudging into the Chelsea participant’s facet. Nonetheless, it was an pointless trick for Antony to fall for, particularly for the reason that Chelsea defender was not in a extremely threatening place.
The strongest facet of Antony’s efficiency was his passing. The winger accomplished 32 of his 37 passes for an 86% passing accuracy.
He accomplished two key passes in addition to all three of his lengthy balls and his solely cross of the sport.
Antony’s shining second undoubtedly got here within the 67th minute, when he drilled a cross from the best to the alternative wing, the place Alejandro Garnacho was capable of rating to place United within the lead.
Whereas United had been unable to see out the win, Antony undoubtedly performed a key function in giving them a preventing likelihood to come back away with a priceless three factors.
Finally, this efficiency confirmed the promise that Antony can deliver to United’s offensive recreation, presumably displaying that his struggles to adapt to life at Previous Trafford might be overcome with the best steering.
Stats by way of sofascore.com.
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