Quotes
Premier League
What Xabi Alonso told Chelsea players to do against Manchester United
Summarised by MatchPal
Alonso's half-time instructions to improve ball control and reduce turnovers proved decisive as Chelsea dominated the second half to win 2-0.
Chelsea beat Manchester United 2-0 on Saturday with second-half goals from Morgan Rogers and Cole Palmer. Manager Xabi Alonso revealed his half-time team talk focused on gaining better control of the ball and reducing possession losses. "The message was to be better with the ball and to not give away that much," Alonso explained after the match. The tactical adjustment worked, with Chelsea significantly more comfortable in the second period. United's Lisandro Martinez was sent off during the match, conceding a penalty that Palmer converted. Despite the defeat, United manager Michael Carrick confirmed he would remain in charge for their Champions League fixture against Roma on Tuesday.
Summary by MatchPal from the original report at manchestereveningnews.co.uk. Reporting and images belong to the source.
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C. Palmer
L. Martínez
M. Rogers
Reports on this story
UK times- BBC Sport
- Fabrizio Romano
- The Guardian
- ESPN
- Sky Sports
- Diario AS
- The Independent
- Manchester Evening News
- Evening Standard
- Football Insider
- Mundo Deportivo
- talkSPORT
- Liverpool Echo
- Mirror
- MailOnline
- What Xabi Alonso told Chelsea players to do against Manchester UnitedManchester Evening NewsThis article
- Xabi Alonso lauds Estevao reaction to Chelsea chance: 'He deserves more'Evening Standard
- Alonso praises Estevao response to lack of gametimeBBC Sport
- Xabi Alonso: "I am very happy with Estevão! This was the best response to show that he deserves more. He worked so hard, I'm happy".Fabrizio Romano
- Chelsea: Xabi Alonso makes surprise Estevao squad decision for Manchester United clashEvening Standard
4 more reports
- Stefan Borson drops verdict on Chelsea sacking Xabi AlonsoFootball Insider
- Xabi Alonso on Estevão: "It's in the adaptation to the competition, the process to learn things with the ball, against the ball, how to be more competitive"Fabrizio Romano
- Xabi Alonso on Estevão: "It's in the adaptation to the competition, the process to learn things with the ball, against the ball, how to be more competitive"Fabrizio Romano
- Xabi Alonso on assurances from the club on Cole Palmer staying: "Absolutely! He was always part of the plans"Fabrizio Romano
Next on TV
UK times
Champions League · Matchweek 4
Manchester United v 
RomaTue, 3 Nov 2026
