Shaw impresses on return
Luke Shaw one of the players to come back into the team, playing at left-back in place of the injured Daley Blind. Shaw had been withdrawn at half-time in his previous outing against Arsenal so needed a positive showing and that’s exactly what he produced at Stamford Bridge, impressing throughout with a series of purposeful runs at the Chelsea defence.
With Oscar playing a tucked-in role and Marouane Fellaini occupying defenders, the space was there for Shaw but he seized it in fine style by creating three chances for his team-mates – Chelsea only managed four as a team. “He’s been the best attacker in the second half,” said Neville. “It’s outstanding on his return.”
One threaded pass through to Radamel Falcao might have brought the equaliser but the striker’s shot cannoned off the outside of the post and while Shaw was substituted late on, it was not before Mourinho had been forced to reshape his team in order to combat the 19-year-old’s efforts. “Ramires is now on the right side and it’s because of Luke Shaw’s prominence,” said Neville. It was a compliment to Shaw and reflected his performance.