Join us at Sportsbreaks.com as we dive into one of the most highly anticipated rivalry matchups between Chelsea and Manchester United.
We’ll explore the history of this clash and the 146-year-old stadium that has hosted it countless times, Stamford Bridge.
The history of the title chasers: Chelsea v. Manchester United
Football rivalries are usually born out of either geographical proximity or persistent competition for silverware and in this case, it’s the latter.
Both clubs enjoyed success independent of each other, they never posed much of threat to each other until the 90s when Alex Ferguson guided United to their first Premier League titles.
The rivalry only heightened as the Mourinho era began. Prior to that, Manchester United and Arsenal had been in a two-horse race battling for every trophy in the country, but with new investment and a new manager, the club caught up. The Portuguese manager took the club to two league titles, an FA Cup and two League Cups in just three years.
Between 2004 and 2011 it was either Chelsea or Manchester United that won the Premier League title; they really were the two dominant teams at the top and regardless of their standing in the table now, they continue to bring this fierce competition to one up their opponent every time they face each other.
Stamford Bridge, the home of Chelsea FC
Stamford Bridge is amongst the oldest football grounds in the country and has been Chelsea FC’s home since their formation in 1905.
But, in its first 27 years, it was used almost exclusively for athletics competitions. It wasn’t until 1904 that the ownership changed, and the new football-enthusiast owners proposed hosting football at the venue.
Initially the stadium was offered to Fulham, but they turned it down and so a new side was established, Chelsea FC. Samford Bridge has since been their fortress, a tough away game for any visiting opponent.
It has had its fair share of struggles, in the 70s the club faced bankruptcy, and the owners sold the stadium to property developers. After a 10-year fight, ownership of the Bridge was returned to Chelsea in 1992 and it has since undergone extensive redevelopment, now seating 40,341 people.
Memorable clashes at Stamford Bridge
1. Start of the Mourinho era of dominance
Jose Mourinho’s first game in charge at Stamford Bridge saw him face tough opponents, Manchester United on 14th August 2004. It was a cagey match but an early goal from Eidur Gudjonsson was the deciding factor that sent United home with no points.
2. Mourinho returns as a Red
October 23rd 2016 saw Mourinho return to Stamford Bridge, but this time as manager of their rivals, Manchester United. It wasn’t a positive outing for his new side as Chelsea took the lead just 30 seconds in and went on to win 4-0.
3. The latest drama-filled clash
Thursday 4th April was the last time the two sides faced each other at Stamford Bridge, and it was one of the most memorable matchups. Chelsea came away with all three points thanks to a 4-3 win, despite United being up 2-3 at 90 minutes. Two late penalties helped Chelsea seal the deal in a historic win.
Looking ahead
Chelsea and Manchester United have drawn more matches than any other club, with 53 out of 164 league matches ending in a tie. It is always a game that leaves fans on their edge of their seats.
It’s not too late to get your tickets to this year’s clash at Stamford Bridge, you can register your interest in tickets on our Chelsea FC ticket page.
Join us for more stories, updates, and fan experiences at SportsBreaks.com, where the game never ends, and every match is more than just a game.
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