That’s the prelims over and done with. Now it’s back to the main purpose of the season – the pursuit of Premier points.
The FA Cup went the way of all that was predictable and so Geordie gazes turn to Burnley at St James Park on Wednesday night.
Survival is the name of the only game in town.
Prelims? Rafa’s team selection at Stamford Bridge told us everything with Henri Saivet, Massadio Haidara, and Chancel Mbemba all starting. Bring on Wednesday.
What we got was what we were expecting. United began pressing high with plenty of enthusiasm and discipline on a new back five system and had a rare opportunity to go ahead. The squandered it and within five minutes Chelsea were in front. Game over.
Haidara set up Jonjo Shelvey with a sweet left wing cross on 25 minutes for Shelvey, lurking at the near post, to whip a shot that one-time Rafa target Willy Caballero clawed round a post.
Five minutes on and Chelsea, who had been sloppy and flat a lot of the time, suddenly found the class within their ranks.
Lee Ryder analyses Rafa's press conference
Pedro struck a wonder pass inside and across Mbemba for Eden Hazard to flick inside to Marcos Alonso who set up the unmarked Michy Batshauyi to tap home.
A couple of minutes from half-time Batshauyi had his second when his shot from a Hazard pass flicked up off the tackling Jamaal Lascelles to loop over Karl Darlow.
Saivet had given away the ball in midfield just as United had surrendered possession on the first and they were punished as they will be at this level. Even then after surrendering the ball the defending could have been better. A new system was undone in a way it should never have been.
Two down, United were deflated second-half with first Pedro and then Alonso going close as the Mags merely went through the motions.
Dwight Gayle typified the mood with little effective work done off and on the ball and he was rightly hooked just after the hour. His interest looks minimal.
Chelsea’s inevitable third came on 71 minutes with the immaculate Alonso striking a perfect free-kick high into the net.
In the end Darlow became an Aunt Sally peppered as those in front of him surrendered turf and initiative.
The gulf between the haves and have-nots of the Premier League is as wide as the Grand Canyon and if Mike Ashley has the slightest decency within him he will come to the rescue in the transfer market before leaving this club by the back door.
His has been a miserable tentureship with nothing but relegations and early FA Cup exits sprinkled throughout it.
Wednesday is absolutely critical to United and all who care. Not only are three points on offer, which are absolutely essential, but Newcastle will be in the last chance saloon on transfer deadline day.
They need a reward on both fronts otherwise we face a long, hard run in to avoid a second relegation in three years.
Oh dear, the prospect doesn’t bear thought.
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