Manchester United have blown the Premier League title race open with their 2-0 defeat of league leaders Chelsea. Jose Mourinho produced a tactical master class that helped the Red Devils sail past his former club.

The gap at the top of the log has now been reduced to four points with six games left to play. The Blues would have to fight off a strong competition from Tottenham Hotspurs as the season draws to a close.

United cannot win the Premier League this term as they are afar off but they caused considerable damage to Chelsea’s confidence with the victory. It is the same situation three years ago when the same Mourinho frustrated Liverpool’s hopes. This time he seemed to get one over Chelsea after they sacked him and Antonio Conte’s men humiliated him 4-0 at Stamford Bridge earlier in the season. Same Chelsea ended United’s FA Cup hopes.

Ander Herrera was given the marching orders when they played Chelsea in the FA Cup. His foul on Eden Hazard earned him his second yellow card. This time he was outstanding. He man-marked Hazard, got on the scorers’ sheet after getting an assist. There was a bit of controversy when the ref did not book him for a hand ball offence in the build up to the first goal.

United defeated Chelsea hands down with the visitors barely having a shot on target. The team missed first choice goalkeeper ThibautCourtois and defender Marcos Alonso was sidelined sue to an illness during the warm-up.

Ahead of the game, Mourinho complained of fatigue due to their schedule but it was the Blues who seemed more tired when the game begun. About a month ago, Chelsea were 13 points clear but now four points separate them, meaning they would have to get lots of victories to lift the title. They play Spurs in the FA Cup semi-final. With Diego Costa goal drought, the team’s attacks remain futile. Eric Baily and Marcos Rojo displaced the Spaniard while Herrera handled Hazard, effectively killing off their moves.