- Chelsea’s Noni Madueke set an unfortunate Premier League record by hitting the post three times this season during the Blues' 1-1 draw with Manchester United
- Despite United taking the lead through Bruno Fernandes' penalty, Chelsea quickly levelled as Moises Caicedo netted a stunning equaliser
- The result lifts Chelsea to fourth, while United lingers in 13th, with new managerial changes anticipated after the international break
Chelsea’s Noni Madueke came agonisingly close to scoring against Manchester United in a 1-1 draw that denied United a historic third consecutive league victory over Chelsea at Old Trafford.
The Chelsea winger of Nigerian descent who is now cap-tied to England after he came on as a substitute in England’s win over Ireland in the last international break has raked in 4 goals in 9 matches for the Blues this season.
Early on in the game, Noni Madueke made a great effort at goal, albeit not in the way he intended. Jumping well above to meet a well-placed corner kick, he struck a close-range header that rattled the near post. This marked the third time Madueke would hit the woodwork this season, setting an unwanted Premier League record as no other player has struck the goalpost frame more often.
For Chelsea, coming off a midweek EFL Cup loss to Newcastle, this was a chance to impress fans. Both sides exchanged threats in the first half, but Madueke’s near-miss and United's consecutive close efforts kept fans at the edge of their seats.
Marcus Rashford’s half-volley crashed against the crossbar, while Alejandro Garnacho's curled attempt was met comfortably by Chelsea’s keeper, Robert Sanchez. The Blues, slightly shaken but unfazed, pushed forward with Pedro Neto firing a shot just wide as Chelsea became even more ruthless in trying to break the deadlock.
Tensions spiked around the 70-minute mark when United’s Casemiro made a neat through pass to Danish forward Rasmus Hojlund, the former Atalanta man seemed poised to score but Sanchez had other plans.
Chelsea’s keeper Sanchez inadvertently clipped Hojlund’s feet while defending the chance, leading to a penalty. Bruno Fernandes made no mistake, giving United the lead and leaving Chelsea scrambling for an answer.
Chelsea struck back fast and within minutes of United’s goal, a partially cleared corner landed at Moises Caicedo’s feet on the edge of the box, the Ecuadorian international unleashed a powerful volley through a sea of legs, including teammate Mykhailo Mudryk’s, to find the net and level the score which sent Old Trafford into frenzy mood.
As the match wore on, substitutes from both sides sought a late winner. Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez sent a promising shot over the bar, while United’s Joshua Zirkzee saw his last-minute drive fizzle out.
Chelsea’s hard-earned point lifts them above Arsenal into fourth place, showing promise despite a yet inconsistent season. Meanwhile, United remains in 13th, three points from the top half, with fans eagerly awaiting incoming manager Ruben Amorim’s fresh tactics after the international break.
Chelsea to make bold move by replacing Senegalese forward with ace Nigerian striker
Previously, TheRadar reported that if the Blues succeed in bringing Osimhen to Stamford Bridge, it could spell a change in fortunes for their current Senegalese striker, Nicolas Jackson. The Senegalese forward, signed from Villarreal for £32 million last summer, has enjoyed a good start to his Premier League career, scoring four goals in six games.
As such, replacing Jackson with Osimhen could seem premature, especially when the Nigerian striker has yet to test himself in the English top flight.
