'If Heaven felt any pressure, he didn't show it'

TL;DR

Michael Carrick's team secured a crucial win at Stamford Bridge despite missing key defenders. Chelsea posed a significant threat but failed to convert chances into goals.

Key points

Michael Carrick's team won at Stamford Bridge
Chelsea hit the woodwork three times
Carrick's team was missing four central defenders
The match focused on securing a result over style
Only Solskjaer had previously won at Stamford Bridge post-Ferguson

Given only Ole Gunnar Solskjaer of all the post-Sir Alex Ferguson bosses had experienced the feeling of winning at Stamford Bridge, style was a secondary element.

Chelsea may have hit the woodwork three times. They may have carried the more consistent threat. But Michael Carrick's team was the one that delivered.

"It was a game for a result," he said. "And we managed to find it."

There was overcoming the adversity of knowing that on top of the three central defenders he knew would be missing (Matthijs de Ligt through injury and Lisandro Martinez and Harry Maguire due to suspension), Carrick then lost a fourth, Leny Yoro, to a training ground injury.

That came so late in the week his chosen pairing, Noussair Mazraoui and Ayden Heaven, could only prepare with walk-throughs.

"I love when you see players thrive in those moments," said Carrick.

Heaven, 19, had not started a game under Carrick, having first been given his chance by Ruben Amorim and then his immediate replacement Darren Fletcher.

"Ayden has not played a lot of football recently, and to come into that environment is not something that you can take for granted," said Carrick.

"We say the same things to young players all the time. Sometimes they look at you as if to say, 'yeah, good one' but in terms of training every day and looking after yourself and being ready 'because you never know when that chance comes', he probably wouldn't have thought it would come at that moment.

"But he was there, he was prepared, and he took it in his stride magnificently well."

If Heaven felt any pressure, he didn't show it.

Q&A

What challenges did Michael Carrick face in the match against Chelsea?

Michael Carrick faced the challenge of missing four central defenders due to injuries and suspensions.

How did Chelsea perform in the match against Carrick's team?

Chelsea hit the woodwork three times and had a more consistent threat but ultimately did not score.

What was the significance of this win for Carrick's team?

This win was significant as it marked a successful result at Stamford Bridge, a venue where only Ole Gunnar Solskjaer had previously won post-Ferguson.