Alvaro Morata makes it an unhappy return for Jose Mourinho as Chelsea beat Manchester United

Alvaro Morata scored the only goal of the game as Manchester United's title hopes suffered a blow with a 1-0 defeat to Chelsea on Jose Mourinho's return.

Antonio Conte dropped David Luiz but was able to recall N'Golo Kante to the side, while Mourinho returned to his former club with Marouane Fellaini able to take a place on the bench.

Both sides could have scored more than once in the first half, with Tiemoue Bakayoko, Marcus Rashford and others going close, and Phil Jones had a spectacular own goal ruled out for a slight shove from Morata.

In the second half, Chelsea battered United into submission until Morata headed free unmarked after some terrible United defending. Chelsea continued to rack up the shots but United had two chances from Rashford and Fellaini as they struggled to hit back late in the game.

Chelsea stay fourth, but they are just a point behind United and Spurs, who both trail Manchester City by eight points.

United have nothing to offer in attack and struggle to organise themselves in defence. Paul Pogba is a superb player, but Jose Mourinho is failing his side. He is paid to organise the defence, coach the players, and to make the best of a squad whatever happens with injury. Without any transfer window to come, United need their boss to tighten things up at the box and work out how to spark Henrikh Mkhitaryan back into life.

Tiemoue Bakayoko (Chelsea): Nemanja Matic has been a huge asset to Manchester United, but Bakayoko demonstrated why Conte prefers him to the Serbian. His ability to chase the ball across the pitch means he can turn up in defence to break up play just seconds before offering assistance in attack in the box. With Cesc Fabregas in excellent form, it was a much more balanced midfield because of his presence with N'Golo Kante.

Chelsea: Courtois 7, Azpilicueta 6, Christensen 7, Cahill 6, Zappacosta 6, Bakayoko 8, Kante 7, Fabregas 7, Alonso 6, Hazard 7, Morata 7. Subs: Rudiger 6, Drinkwater 6, Willian 6.

Manchester United: De Gea 7, Bailly 5, Jones 4, Smalling 4, Valencia 6, Herrera 6, Matic 7, Young 6, Mkhitaryan 5, Lukaku 5, Rashford 6. Subs: Fellaini 7, Lingard 6, Martial 6.

7' - DISALLOWED GOAL - Jones puts the ball into his own net, and the Chelsea crowd erupts. However, Morata had clearly shoved him over to make it happen. Jones is a naturally calamitous man, but it was a foul nonetheless.

8' - RASHFORD MISS - Young curls to the back post from the left, and Rashford reaches it with Courtois flapping. Five yards out and unmarked, and he heads it over - eyes closed - to waste the chance.

12' - BAKAYOKO MISS - A cross comes in from the right from Zappacosta, Morata completely misses it as Smalling drags him away cynically, and Bakayoko runs in to sidefoot miles wide. A huge chance.

16' - COURTOIS SAVE - Lukaku finds Young on the right. The ball is worked to Valencia on the right, some clever work ends with Lukaku spinning on the edge of the box to make room, and his low shot to the corner is beaten away by Courtois.

55' - GOAL! Chelsea 1-0 Manchester United. Morata scores - Azpilicueta strides forward, with nobody tracking Morata's run. He measures a cross to the striker, who guides in an excellent header past De Gea.

75' - BAKAYOKO MISS - Fellaini loses the ball carelessly in midfield to Bakayoko. He strides towards goal and beats Smalling, only to send a shot wide of the near post.