Chelsea 1-0 Man Utd: Morata header settles clash as Red Devils sit 8 points behind City

Alvaro Morata's 55th-minute header sealed a 1-0 win for Chelsea over Manchester United, who fell eight points behind league leaders Manchester City.

Morata, who revealed he had an offer to join United before signing for Chelsea this summer, headed home Cesar Azpilicueta's cross (55) to ease the pressure on Antonio Conte.

With Manchester City beating Arsenal 3-1 earlier , the title race has already taken a big swing to the blue side of Manchester but Chelsea closed to within nine points with this deserved victory.

The result means Jose Mourinho has not won any of his last 11 Premier League away games at the 'big six' with his teams failing to score in nine of the last 10 matches.

GOAL

GOAL! CHELSEA 1-0 MAN UTD (Morata, 55)

Chelsea's pressure finally tells as Alvaro Morata breaks the deadlock! Azpilicueta's deep cross falls perfect for the Spaniard's who directs a fine looping header beyond De Gea.

MATCH EVENTS

2: Smalling clatters into the back of Morata on the edge of the United area and Chelsea have an early free-kick in front of the travelling fans. It's rolled short to Kante, who hesitates before getting a shot away, which De GEa saves comfortably.

7: DISALLOWED GOAL! Chelsea have the ball in the back of the net as Morata forces Jones fire past his own 'keeper, but referee Taylor penalises the Spaniard. United survive.

8: CHANCE! United go right up the other end so nearly take the lead themselves as Rashford gets on the end of Young's looping cross, but the youngster can only guide his header onto the roof of the net.

13: CHANCE! Chelsea building up a real head of steam here as Bakayoko picks up the ball and charges at the United defence. They stand off him and invite him to shoot, but his bobbling effort drifts inches wide.

16: SAVE! The end-to-end nature continues as United have their best spell of possession. The visitors work the ball up to Lukaku on the edge of the Chelsea area, he spins and releases a shot which draws Courtois into a decent save low to his right.

19: CLOSE! Hazard unleashes a fierce drive from the left which De Gea can only divert into the air. A scramble ensues, with Zappacosta trying to bundle the ball home, but his effort nestles in the side-netting.

32: SHOT! Fabregas finds Moraata on the edge of the United area with an incisive pass, but the Spaniard's finish is not quite up to the same standard as De Gea comfortably saves his attempt on goal.

54: CHANCE! Hazard peels away from marker to get on the end of a cross in the area, but his effort is straight at De Gea.

68: CHANCE! United have gone route one now Fellaini is on the pitch, and it so nearly pays dividends. The Belgian bullies to Chelsea defence to knock the ball down into Rashford's path, and his effort deflects behind for a corner.

75: HUGE CHANCE! Chelsea should have all three points wrapped up. Fellaini gets caught in possession by Bakayoko, who streaks clean through on goal. He just has De Gea to beat but fires wide at the near post.

80: CLOSE! Chelsea come within inches of doubling their lead as Rudiger's cross flashes across the face of goal. Not sure he meant to find the target but he wouldn't have been complaining if he had!

84: CHANCE! Mourinho is cutting a frustrated figure on the touchline but his team respond with a rare venture forward. Martial scampers clear into the area before finding Rashford, whose whipped cross so nearly lands on the head of Fellaini at the back post.

88: CLOSE! Rashford wins the ball in the air on the edge of the Chelsea area, heading towards goal where Lukaku rises, but Courtois is quick off his line to ease the danger in an instant.

90: CHANCE! United pushing really hard for an equaliser as Fellaini brings the ball down on his chest and draws Courtois into a crucial save low to his right.We're minutes away from finding out just how crucial.

90+4: CLOSE! United win a free-kick 20 yards from goal which Rashford fores towards the target. It takes a nick off the wall on the way through and United have one last chance to get a point.