United's Under 21s finished the league season in the best possible way with a hard-fought but deserved victory at Stamford Bridge, which came courtesy of a goal from Matty Willock. With the league title already won, this was effectively a meaningless game but the Reds approached it as if it were a title decider, showing a determination and will to win that speaks volumes for this group of players.
Willock almost broke the deadlock when his mazy run into the area ended with his shot being smothered by Collins in the Chelsea goal. However, when a second chance fell to the midfielder, he made no mistake. He started the move himself, moving the ball out to El Fitouri on the left. His clever ball inside allowed Pereira to move the ball back to Willock, who steered his shot inside the far post.
Pereira ought to have made it two just before half-time, but he spooned his shot over the bar with only the keeper to beat. At the other end there were some timely interventions from Phil Jones - a seemingly permanent member of the Under 21 team this days - but United were good value for their half-time lead.
There was an old-fashioned 21-man brawl at the start of the second half, following an extraordinarily reckless tackle by Chelsea's Palmer, whose attempted challenge on El Fitouri was so wild he actually took out team mate Aina instead. When the dust had settled, Palmer bizarrely walked away unpunished, with Josh Harrop and keeper Collins - who'd run forty yards to join the punch-up - both yellow carded for their involvement.
From there the game settled into a more sedate affair. Mitchell had come on as a substitute for Januzaj at half-time and carried United's greatest threat. First he then Harrop brought saves from Collins. Chelsea began to dominate possession late in the half but the United defence rarely looked troubled and the Reds saw out the game comfortably.
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