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Manchester United 1-1 Chelsea

SHAFAQNA – They celebrated as if this was the turning point. Last minute Manchester United, twice in a week, back to their best.

Hardly.

They got away with it. A scramble from a questionable free-kick in the fourth minute of injury time, lashed in by Robin van Persie. A red card for Branislav Ivanovic that most certainly wasn’t, and a rejected Chelsea penalty claim that gets more plausible with each viewing.

 

 

Robin van Persie smashes home United’s equaliser from six yards in the final seconds of a pulsating clash at Old Trafford

Manchester United vs Chelsea: Big Match Stats

The United striker, who had earlier missed his side's two best chances, was clearly delighted with his late goal which rescued a point

The United striker, who had earlier missed his side’s two best chances, was clearly delighted with his late goal which rescued a point

In the lead-up to Van Persie's strike Branislav Ivanovic had been shown a red card, for two bookings, by referee Phil Dowd

In the lead-up to Van Persie’s strike Branislav Ivanovic had been shown a red card, for two bookings, by referee Phil Dowd

 

 

 

Didier Drogba puts Chelsea ahead as he takes advantage of an aerial mismatch with Rafael to head past David de Gea in the United goal

Didier Drogba puts Chelsea ahead as he takes advantage of an aerial mismatch with Rafael to head past David de Gea in the United goal

The Ivorian striker celebrates giving his side the lead, scoring for the first time in the Premier League since returning this summer

The Ivorian striker celebrates giving his side the lead, scoring for the first time in the Premier League since returning this summer

MATCH FACTS

Man Utd: De Gea 6.5, Rafael 6, Smalling 7, Rojo 7, Shaw 6.5, Blind 6, Januzaj 5.5, Fellaini 6.5, Mata 4.5 (Wilson 65 – 6), Di Maria 7, Van Persie 7.

Subs not used: Lindegaard, Carrick, Herrera, Fletcher, Blackett, Pereira

Manager: Louis van Gaal 6

Chelsea: Courtois 7, Ivanovic 5, Cahill 7, Terry 7, Luis 6.5, Fabregas 7, Matic 6.5, Willian 6 (Zouma 90 – 6), Oscar 6.5 (Mikel 65 – 6.5), Hazard 7 (Schurrle 89 – 6), Drogba 7.5

Subs not used: Cech, Zouma, Ake, Mikel, Schurrle, Salah, Baker.

Manager: Jose Mourinho 7

Ratings by Neil Ashton

 

 

 

 

 

This wasn’t United at their best, but perhaps their most fortunate. Jose Mourinho had too much respect for his mentor, Louis van Gaal, to make his displeasure public when they came together on the sidelines.

His face as the goal went in said it all, though. He screwed up his features as if encountering a bad smell. It was the expression of a man who thought he was robbed. Probably, he was.

Not hugely. This wasn’t grand larceny. Chelsea were not many goals better than United, they did not thrash them, or put them away. But a 1-0 win would have been about fair.

Chelsea were better organised, stronger defensively, executed their game plan, and shaded the action.

To United’s credit, however, they did not give up, displaying the spirit that saw them through at West Bromwich Albion on Monday, and they deserve praise for that.

It says much about their development, though, that this point at home was celebrated like a far greater affair, the United players forming a pyramid of jubilation on Van Persie as Chelsea despaired.

Ivanovic, by now down the tunnel, will have known what had happened by the cacophony. The sense of injustice would have been quite raw.

Would Chelsea have hung on with 11? We can never know. The fact is, it never helps to defend with ten, and Ivanovic is a significant presence during set pieces at either end. Perhaps Chelsea lost a little concentration, too, when Dowd issued his seventh yellow card to a blue shirt. It did not seem a particularly dirty game, either.

 

 

 

The two managers, Jose Mourinho (left) and Louis van Gaal (right) shared a hug before kick-off, but both were quickly back to business

The two managers, Jose Mourinho (left) and Louis van Gaal (right) shared a hug before kick-off, but both were quickly back to business

Marouane Fellaini, rewarded for his impact against West Brom with a starting berth, plays the ball past Chelsea's Didier Drogba

Marouane Fellaini, rewarded for his impact against West Brom with a starting berth, plays the ball past Chelsea’s Didier Drogba

Eden Hazard was a constant threat for Chelsea, running at the Manchester United defence and causing Rafael in particular problems

Eden Hazard was a constant threat for Chelsea, running at the Manchester United defence and causing Rafael in particular problems

Rafael was shown a twelfth minute yellow card after pulling back Hazard, the Belgian having beaten him and made his way towards goal

Rafael was shown a twelfth minute yellow card after pulling back Hazard, the Belgian having beaten him and made his way towards goal

Robin van Persie had the best of the early chances, but saw his low shot saved when one-on-one with Thibaut Courtois

Robin van Persie had the best of the early chances, but saw his low shot saved when one-on-one with Thibaut Courtois

 

 

To make one thing clear: Angel di Maria did not dive to win the foul. Ivanovic clipped his heel on the run, and he tripped. He did not cheat. It did not look intentional, but there was contact and that makes it a free-kick.

Intent does not come into this. Even if Ivanovic merely mis-stepped the onus is on him not to be clumsy. So United’s drink in the last chance saloon was at least deserved.

The booking, less so. There are too many dirty, dangerous challenges going unpunished in the English game for this to be yellow card material. So Chelsea should have had the full complement on the pitch when Di Maria’s free-kick came in. Whether that would have made the difference, who knows?

As it was, United’s best player on the day, Marouane Fellaini, won the header, Thibaut Courtois made the save, and the ball fell to Van Persie, who buried ferociously it on instinct alone.

There was no time for any more drama and a result that would have pleased both sides before the game, had the feeling of a United victory, and a Chelsea defeat. Yet is that the positive it sounds?

There was a time when Old Trafford would have been disappointed at two home points dropped in this fixture. Now it provokes a fiesta.

 

 

 

Didier Drogba’s goal was simplicity itself coming from Cesc Fabregas’ pin-point delivery. See more in our brilliant Match Zone

 

 

 

Rafael looked exposed against the Chelsea winger, but offered a little more going forward than he did in defence during the first half

Rafael looked exposed against the Chelsea winger, but offered a little more going forward than he did in defence during the first half

Chris Smalling holds up Drogba, who was asked to lead the line for Chelsea in the absence of the injured Diego Costa and Loic Remy

Chris Smalling holds up Drogba, who was asked to lead the line for Chelsea in the absence of the injured Diego Costa and Loic Remy

Juan Mata, playing against his former club, had a point to prove to Mourinho, who had frozen the Spaniard out at Chelsea

Juan Mata, playing against his former club, had a point to prove to Mourinho, who had frozen the Spaniard out at Chelsea

The turning points of the match? Chelsea will cite Ivanovic’s first booking and the spurned penalty appeal, although neither come with a guarantee. For the first, Ivanovic certainly seemed to hand off Di Maria, but the United man was trying to do the same to him.

It is hardly Ivanovic’s fault that he won this particular trial of strength and, even if Dowd considered it worthy of a foul, it surely wasn’t a booking. Maybe, though, Ivanovic talked his way into trouble with his protests. If so, he was foolish.

As for the penalty that wasn’t, Dowd merits a small degree of sympathy. Closer inspection suggest Marcos Rojo had John Terry by the neck, and Chris Smalling was doing a similar job on Ivanovic as Cesc Fabregas’s first-half corner came in, but there is so much grappling in the box these days that the referee possibly viewed it as a fair fight, with the entire quartet offending.

When Gary Neville says that United got away with one, however, it is worth considering that Chelsea had a case.

 

 

 

Angel di Maria, who fired a volley over the bar when well placed early on, runs at Chelsea's Willian during the first half at Old Trafford

Angel di Maria, who fired a volley over the bar when well placed early on, runs at Chelsea’s Willian during the first half at Old Trafford

 

 

 

 

 

Di Maria has been the best thing about United's play so far this season, but struggled to impose himself against Chelsea's midfield early

Di Maria has been the best thing about United’s play so far this season, but struggled to impose himself against Chelsea’s midfield early

Courtois saves after van Persie had tried an ambitious volley, but it didn't really trouble the big Belgian in the Chelsea goal

Courtois saves after van Persie had tried an ambitious volley, but it didn’t really trouble the big Belgian in the Chelsea goal

Branislav Ivanovic was wrestled to the ground by Chris Smalling from a set piece, but referee Phil Dowd turned down his penalty appeal

Branislav Ivanovic was wrestled to the ground by Chris Smalling from a set piece, but referee Phil Dowd turned down his penalty appeal

 

 

 

Despite Smalling throwing him to the ground in a headlock, Ivanovic still came close to reaching the ball into the box

Despite Smalling throwing him to the ground in a headlock, Ivanovic still came close to reaching the ball into the box

The real victim here, though: Chelsea’s third-choice striker. Without Manchester United’s equaliser and Ivanovic’s red, the headlines would have belonged to Didier Drogba, as Chelsea’s match-winner. Life in the old Drog yet. Who would have thought it?

Rejoining in the summer, Drogba was considered to be on very much a sentimental journey under Mourinho. We should have known Chelsea’s manager does not do sentiment, even in mellowed middle age.

Shorn of Diego Costa with a virus and his understudy Loic Remy, injured against Maribor, Mourinho sent Drogba into the fray, kept him there for 90 minutes, and watched in quiet vindication as he all but won the match.

One mighty leap in the 52nd minute took him above Manchester United’s puny defence and should have given Chelsea a six-point lead over their rivals. What he has got to offer?

A muscular presence and eye for the main chance that may never be dulled by the years. Drogba is 36. He could be 86, and you would still fancy him to outjump Rafael from a Cesc Fabregas corner, which is what happened.

 

 

The United defender clearly brought down his Chelsea counterpart as the ball flashed across goal, with his arms around the Serb's neck

The United defender clearly brought down his Chelsea counterpart as the ball flashed across goal, with his arms around the Serb’s neck

A disbelieving Ivanovic appeals to Dowd, while Smalling seems to realise he has got away with a silly mistake inside the six-yard box

A disbelieving Ivanovic appeals to Dowd, while Smalling seems to realise he has got away with a silly mistake inside the six-yard box

 

 

Robin van Persie continued on his own up front in the absence of the suspended Wayne Rooney and injured Radamel Falcao

Robin van Persie continued on his own up front in the absence of the suspended Wayne Rooney and injured Radamel Falcao

Di Maria was closely watched by Nemanja Matic, who has been such a crucial part of Chelsea's success sitting in front of the back four

Di Maria was closely watched by Nemanja Matic, who has been such a crucial part of Chelsea’s success sitting in front of the back four

Quite why Van Gaal chose his right-back to go against Drogba from a dead ball who can say? It was a mis-match of fantastic proportions. David versus Goliath, except some prankster has taken David’s sling shots and replaced them with marshmallows.

Seconds earlier, Drogba had signalled the spark that remains, playing a delightful one-two to send Eden Hazard sprinting beyond United’s defence, only for a fabulous David De Gea save to keep him out.

It was from this corner that Chelsea scored. De Gea deserved more; United didn’t.

 

 

 

Thibaut Courtois rises highest to collect the ball, as both goalkeepers stood strong in a goalless first half at Old Trafford

Thibaut Courtois rises highest to collect the ball, as both goalkeepers stood strong in a goalless first half at Old Trafford

Adnan Januzaj skips past Chelsea's Cesc Fabregas, who can find no way to stop him except by pulling the young winger down

Adnan Januzaj skips past Chelsea’s Cesc Fabregas, who can find no way to stop him except by pulling the young winger down

 

 

Hazard glides between Di Maria and Mata as the two United midfielders do their best to stop him without committing a foul

Hazard glides between Di Maria and Mata as the two United midfielders do their best to stop him without committing a foul

The Belgian star sees his shot brilliantly saved by De Gea after slicing through the United defence, but Chelsea would score moments later

The Belgian star sees his shot brilliantly saved by De Gea after slicing through the United defence, but Chelsea would score moments later

Rafael can get nowhere near Drogba as the Chelsea striker gets up highest to head home, moments after De Gea had denied Hazard

Rafael can get nowhere near Drogba as the Chelsea striker gets up highest to head home, moments after De Gea had denied Hazard

 

Having missed Chelsea's best chance of the first half, Drogba silenced the Old Trafford crowd with his precision header 

Having missed Chelsea’s best chance of the first half, Drogba silenced the Old Trafford crowd with his precision header

Fabregas whipped it, Drogba got the glancing header, Van Persie could not do enough to stop its progress to goal. Mourinho 1 Van Gaal 0. No, of course he doesn’t do sentiment.

Leading his mentor by a single goal, Mourinho then tried to shut up shop, introducing an increasing number of defence-minded players as the minutes leaked away.

Fools will say Chelsea paid the price for being negative. Only an numbskull goes gung-ho leading by a goal at Old Trafford with 15 minutes remaining, though.

 

 

United's players cannot believe it after falling behind to Jose Mourinho's table-topping side, against whom chances were scarce

United’s players cannot believe it after falling behind to Jose Mourinho’s table-topping side, against whom chances were scarce

Oscar looks to find a way past Rafael but the United full back gets a foot in to stop his fellow Brazilian, who was soon replaced 

Oscar looks to find a way past Rafael but the United full back gets a foot in to stop his fellow Brazilian, who was soon replaced

Van Persie sees another good chance go begging as he is once again denied by Thibaut Courtois when through on goal

Van Persie sees another good chance go begging as he is once again denied by Thibaut Courtois when through on goal

Jose Mourinho spits water onto the Old Trafford pitch as his Chelsea side battle to preserve their lead in the final few minutes

Jose Mourinho spits water onto the Old Trafford pitch as his Chelsea side battle to preserve their lead in the final few minutes

Can United build on this? Van Gaal will hope so. He will be buoyed, too, by the first-half performance of Adnan Januzaj, who was at the centre of most of United’s best work.

In the 23rd minute, he threaded a lovely pass through to Van Persie, whose shot was smothered by Courtois, one on one.

At the other end, Drogba forced an equally fine save from De Gea, with his legs. Honours even? Sometimes it is better to be lucky than good, you know. Either way, it’s a start.

 

 

It was not only in scoring goals that Drogba excelled as the 36-year-old striker worked hard without the ball after putting his side ahead

It was not only in scoring goals that Drogba excelled as the 36-year-old striker worked hard without the ball after putting his side ahead

Fellaini does his best to stop Filipe Luis making progress down the Chelsea left as the visitors looked to close out the win at Old Trafford

Fellaini does his best to stop Filipe Luis making progress down the Chelsea left as the visitors looked to close out the win at Old Trafford

Louis van Gaal looks on, unable to call on Falcao or Rooney to offer support to Van Persie, and instead turned to teenager James Wilson

Louis van Gaal looks on, unable to call on Falcao or Rooney to offer support to Van Persie, and instead turned to teenager James Wilson

 

Mourinho reacts furiously as he sees his side concede a late goal to deny them all three points, after Ivanovic had been sent off

Mourinho reacts furiously as he sees his side concede a late goal to deny them all three points, after Ivanovic had been sent off

Ivanovic cannot believe it as he is shown his second yellow card for a foul on Angel di Maria in the last minute of stoppage time

Ivanovic cannot believe it as he is shown his second yellow card for a foul on Angel di Maria in the last minute of stoppage time

As the ball breaks to him from the resulting free kick, Van Persie smashes the ball past Courtois to rescue a point for United

As the ball breaks to him from the resulting free kick, Van Persie smashes the ball past Courtois to rescue a point for United

Despite the attention of several Chelsea defenders, in particular Kurt Zouma sliding in to try and deny him, van Persie found the target

Despite the attention of several Chelsea defenders, in particular Kurt Zouma sliding in to try and deny him, van Persie found the target

The Dutch striker falls to the floor as Marcos Rojo, Smalling and Fellaini begin to celebrate their somewhat fortunate escape

The Dutch striker falls to the floor as Marcos Rojo, Smalling and Fellaini begin to celebrate their somewhat fortunate escape

The United players descend on Van Persie as Chelsea's defenders look around in despair, with two points having been snatched away

The United players descend on Van Persie as Chelsea’s defenders look around in despair, with two points having been snatched away

Van Persie celebrates after his dramatic equaliser rescued a point for Manchester United against league leaders Chelsea

Van Persie celebrates after his dramatic equaliser rescued a point for Manchester United against league leaders Chelsea

source : http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2808568/Manchester-United-1-1-Chelsea-Didier-Drogba-bang-striker-marks-Premier-League-start-return-Chelsea.html

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