Here is your Chelsea morning digest for Monday, October 26.
Mendy moment may signal end for Kepa
After two hugely inconsistent seasons from Kepa Arrizabalaga, Edouard Mendy has quickly proved what a confident and capable goalkeeper can provide a team. And that was evident once more in Chelsea's 0-0 draw with Manchester United.
One moment, in particular, displayed Mendy’s qualities. In stoppage time, Marcus Rashford instinctively whipped a curling effort from outside the penalty area. Mendy dived full-length across the goal and brilliantly tipped the shot around the post, earning Chelsea a point.
And after the draw, Frank Lampard lauded the performance of his new goalkeeper. “His performance was very good,” he said. “You rely on your goalkeepers in those moments in a tight game, not full of many chances.
“Rashford's first chance was a mistake from us, the one at the end was a moment of quality from him. He showed us what he is there for. We brought him in for his quality.
“He showed great composure in the games he's played already and with the saves today in a tight you rely on them moments.”
Solskjaer explains why United couldn’t beat Chelsea
Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer bemoaned the absence of fans against Chelsea, believing that had supporters been inside Old Trafford, his team would have been more likely to claim victory.
“If we’d had that stadium and the Stretford End full, we could have created more pressure and more urgency because that was lacking,” Solskjaer said post-match.
“You’re here watching the game and it’s a different sport, and with the fans here they help you. We miss them, we have to say.
“It's the same for all teams, but I think everyone agrees football is a little bit less, the edge has gone. I can’t wait to get the fans back.”
Former referee slams Atkinson error
Former Premier League referee Keith Hackett slammed Martin Atkinson for missing what he believes was a clear Chelsea penalty against United.
As Cesar Azpilicueta rose to win a header from a cross into the penalty area, Harry Maguire put his arm across the defender’s chest, eventually sliding up to his throat to hold him down.
Atkinson, though, waved away the protests, while VAR agreed with his initial decision.
Hackett believes this was a blatant error. “Martin Atkinson is one of our most experienced referees, so it was simply amazing that he failed to give a penalty pick when Harry Maguire had a clear stranglehold on Cesar Azpilicueta,” he told CaughtOffside.
“Atkinson made a clear and obvious error by not awarding the penalty kick, so VAR official Stuart Atwell should’ve intervened and recommended that Atkinson viewed the pitchside monitor.”
