The attacking front three of Chelsea have struggled to get on the ball, especially Batshauyi, who is up against three United centre-backs. McTominay had a good chance for United early on, but that’s it in terms of chances here.
United lead 1-0 at the break after Rashford’s 25th minute penalty, after James was brought down from behind by Alonso and the striker sent Caballero the wrong way. Chelsea are struggling to break down the United defence, with Romero not having anything to do in the United goal so far and the visitors look very assured.
45′ + 1′ HALF-TIME: CHELSEA 0-1 MANCHESTER UNITED
45′ There will be a minimum of one minute of added time played at the end of the half.
43′ The visitors are managing the game very well now, making it difficult for Chelsea to break through as they are sitting in a back five when the Blues do get on the ball and are putting them under some good pressure.
41′ Romero in the United goal is yet to make a save, he’s barely touched the ball so far tonight and United are now keeping the ball well and easing to half time 1-0 up. Chelsea are having to do a lot of defending and chasing of the ball at the moment.
39′ Rashford has now scored four goals against Chelsea across all competitions; his joint-most against a single opponent (also four v Leicester).
37′ Decent effort! The ball falls nicely to Lingard after good work by Rashford down the left wing and Lingard finds space on the edge of the penalty area, but his shot lacks the pace to beat Caballero, who makes a comfortable save.
35′ There’s not much movement in the Chelsea box as James whips a decent cross into the penalty area from the right wing, no-one can get close to it and United win the throw-in on the opposite side of the pitch.
33′ The Chelsea front three has been pretty quiet so far, with Hudson-Odoi and Pulisic struggling to get on the ball. The American winger has stayed in the Chelsea starting XI after his hat-trick performance against Burnley at the weekend.
31′ We’re just past the half an hour mark at Stamford Bridge and Manchester United lead 1-0, thanks to a Rashford penalty after James was brought down in the box. It’s comfortable for the visitors against a young Chelsea side.
29′ Chelsea last faced Man Utd in the League Cup in a fourth-round tie in October 2012, winning a 5-4 thriller in extra time, with eight different players scoring that day.
27′ United have looked solid so far, they haven’t dominated possession, but they’ve looked strong at the back and haven’t allowed Chelsea any chances at goal yet.
25′ GOOOAAALLL! Rashford converts from the penalty spot, to make it 1-0 to United! The striker sends Caballero, who dived early, the wrong way. He slides the ball into the other corner of the net.
24′ UNITED PENALTY! James sprints into the penalty area after winning the ball back in midfield, he is chased down by Alonso, who takes his legs away from behind and brings him down. No hesitation by the referee, who points to the spot straight away.
22′ Jorginho and Gilmour are controlling the midfield for Chelsea, they’ve regained their composure on the ball, but are yet to get it forward to the front three and test the United defence.
20′ Lingard is playing in the middle of the front three for United, with James to his right and Rashford to his left, so they can cut inside and shoot at goal. However, they are yet to really test the Chelsea backline.
M. Batshuayi
Yellow Card
18′ Batshuayi is the first Chelsea player to be booked, after his late challenge on McTominay. The United midfielder gets to the ball first and the striker catches him late.
17′ United have started to grow into the game slightly now, slowing the pace down, with Zouma having to deal with a bit of pressure from Rashford and James at the back.
15′ This is Chelsea’s second-youngest starting XI under Frank Lampard (24y 166d), after their game v Sheff Utd in August (24y 159d).
13′ CLOSE! Good chance for United, the best opportunity so far! The visitors play a short corner, drilling the ball to McTominay, who gets away from his marker and he fires the ball towards the near post, but it ripples the sidenetting.
S. McTominay
Yellow Card
11′ The first yellow card of the game is shown to McTominay, after his late lunge on Kovacic and there are no complaints from the United midfielder who doesn’t get anywhere near the ball.
9′ There is a cracking atmosphere inside a packed out Stamford Bridge, with United packing out their allocation in the away end.
7′ United clear the initial delivery out of play for another corner and then the second set piece is headed away by Maguire, who also wins a free-kick, easing the pressure on United.
5′ Chelsea have started well, they look bright on the ball, with Hudson-Odoi and Pulisic getting involved early on. The American has a go from the edge of the box, but it’s blocked by Lindelof and goes out for the first corner of the game.
4′ Jorginho has the captains armband for Chelsea tonight, the centre midfielder is key in the Blues attacking play, starting plays from the back. United look happy to sit deep and allow the hosts to play the ball around in front of them.
2′ United have started the game by enjoying the early possession here, keeping the ball well in a back three, with Wan-Bissaka and Williams both getting forward in the wing-back positions.
1′ We’re under way!
The teams are out at Stamford Bridge and kick-off is just a few minutes away, stay tuned for all of the match action!
Meanwhile there are four changes to the United side that beat Norwich 3-1, with Romero, Williams, Rojo and Lingard coming into the side, replacing De Gea, Young, Pereira and Martial.
Frank Lampard makes six changes to the Chelsea side that beat Burnley 4-2 in the Premier League on Saturday, Caballero starts in goal, with James, Guehi, Gilmour, Hudson-Odoi and Batshuayi all coming into the starting XI.
MAN UNITED SUBS: Lee Grant, Phil Jones, Ashley Young, Andreas Pereira, James Garner, Juan Mata, Anthony Martial.
MAN UNITED (4-3-3): Sergio Romero; Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Victor Lindelof, Harry Maguire, Marcos Rojo; Brandon Williams, Scott McTominay, Fred; Jesse Lingard, Daniel James, Marcus Rashford.
CHELSEA SUBS: Jamie Cumming, Cesar Azpilicueta, Tariq Lamptey, Mason Mount, Pedro, Tammy Abraham, Olivier Giroud.
CHELSEA (4-3-3): Willy Caballero; Reece James, Kurt Zouma, Marc Guehi, Marcos Alonso; Billy Gilmour, Jorginho, Mateo Kovacic; Callum Hudson-Odoi, Michy Batshauyi, Christian Pulisic.
Chelsea eased into the fourth round of the EFL Cup, with an impressive 7-1 victory over Grimsby Town, whilst United could only beat Rochdale on penalties, after a 1-1 draw after 90 minutes.
The two sides have already met this season in the Premier League, with United thrashing Chelsea 4-0 on the opening day at Old Trafford. However, it is now Chelsea who are the in-form team, they have won their last seven games in all competitions and sit fourth in the league. Meanwhile United are seventh, having won their last three games, but before this run, they suffered a 1-0 defeat against Newcastle United.
Hello and welcome to our LIVE match commentary of the EFL Cup fourth round clash between Chelsea and Manchester United at Stamford Bridge.
M. Rashford
Penalty Goal