Morgan Rogers and Cole Palmer scored after half-time as Chelsea beat Manchester United 2-0 at Stamford Bridge. The win lifts Xabi Alonso's side back into the top four and deepens Michael Carrick's problems at Old Trafford.

The game kicked off at 12:30 on Saturday 31 October 2026. The first half ended goalless. After the break, Alonso’s side took control.

Romeo Lavia won the ball back in midfield and passed to Rogers around 35 yards from goal. Rogers went past Harry Maguire and Martínez. He then lifted the ball over Senne Lammens.

Martínez was booked for a foul on Rogers. About three minutes later, VAR reviewed an incident in the United penalty area. Martínez had raised an arm to Wesley Fofana’s face. That review also handed Chelsea a spot kick.

Palmer converted the spot kick, his 50th Premier League goal for Chelsea in his 105th appearance. Only Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and Diego Costa reached that total for the club in fewer games, according to Chelsea FC. VAR also ruled out a goal for each side: Matheus Cunha’s effort before the break and Estêvão’s strike later on.

Alonso’s half-time call to keep the ball paid off

The first half was even. Chelsea had seven shots, three of them on target. United had nine and forced Mike Penders into three saves.

At half-time, Alonso told his players they would win the game by keeping the ball. Chelsea then had 67 per cent of possession and 11 shots in the second half. Over the match they had 59% of the ball and 19 shots to United’s 12. Their expected goals figure was 2.71 against 1.19. Lammens made eight saves.

Chelsea played without striker João Pedro, their top league scorer with five goals. Alonso started without a traditional centre-forward. Rogers now has four league goals and was rated the best player on the pitch at 8.2 by the data provider.

The result gives Chelsea three wins from their four league games since the last international break. Liverpool, fifth on 15 points, have played eight games.

Carrick’s United slide towards the relegation zone

United’s run is their longest without a win since 1984, and they could drop into the relegation zone over the weekend, Sky Sports reported. They are level on points with 18th-placed Crystal Palace.

Carrick recalled Bruno Fernandes. The captain had been left out for criticising his manager’s tactics after the defeat to Como. The game was only Martínez’s second start since he publicly criticised the people running the club.

Discipline was a problem for the visitors. Maguire, Kobbie Mainoo, Bryan Mbeumo and Joshua Zirkzee were all booked. United committed 20 fouls to Chelsea’s eight. They host AS Roma in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday 3 November.

Chelsea travel to 20th-placed Sunderland at the Stadium of Light on Sunday 8 November at 2pm, live on Sky Sports. The game was moved back a day because of Sunderland’s Europa League match the Thursday before.