Robin Van Persie’s stoppage-time equalizer was enough to deny Chelsea a victory at Old Trafford. After a frenetic start that saw both sides get at each other and traded blows, the game settled down. It looked as though Didier Drogba’s goal was going to give Chelsea all three points but a late goal, after Branislav Ivanovic had been sent off gave the home side a morale-boosting draw.
Here are the three major talking points from the game.
Mourinho’s caution costs Chelsea again
Although the draw moved them four points clear at the top and six points ahead of their closest challengers, Manchester City, Jose Mourinho would’ve felt that his side should have taken all three points from Old Trafford. The Blues remained unbeaten, but for the second time this season, they let a lead slip in a crucial League game. Mourinho’s decision to bring on John Obi Mikel and make his side more solid, ceded the initiative to the home side, who huffed and puffed before eventually equalizing in injury time. They did the same against Manchester City, who were the only other team to stop them from winning in the League this season.
Although they have swept aside the lesser sides, who were their Achilles heel last season, against the bigger teams, they have been more cautious this season and that has cost them four points already. While it might not matter with regards to the destination of the League title, given how far they are ahead already, it might hinder them in Europe, which will be far more unforgiving.
Will this be the boost that United needed?
This was without a doubt, United’s best performance of the season so far. But until Van Persie scored the equalizer in stoppage time, it looked as though it wasn’t going to fetch them any points. Thibaut Courtois, who was adjudged the Man of the Match, was brilliant once again and it looked as though, United, for all of their efforts, were going to walk away with nothing from the game. But, instead of giving up, the home side showcased their powers of resilience once again.
Although a draw against Chelsea isn’t a particularly great result, the simple fact that they were able to go toe-to-toe with the League leaders should give the side a lot of confidence ahead of the tough few weeks that lie ahead. With Manchester City and Arsenal to play in the next few weeks, the Red Devils desperately needed something from this game. And although it was a long time coming, it did come in the end and that is something that will surely please Van Gaal, who will want more of the same, next weekend in the Manchester derby.
Cometh the hour, cometh the man
All the pre-match build up to the game was about how Chelsea will miss Diego Costa and Loic Remy, who were both ruled out of the game through injury. There were question marks over whether Didier Drogba would last the entire 90 minutes and if the Ivorian striker still has what it takes to lead the line for Chelsea. But Drogba answered all his critics by not only scoring the goal but also leading the line for the entire game.
The 36-year-old showed that he is still more than handy on the big occasion. His near-post header was only his second League goal against United and his first in the Premier League since March 2012. Once the visitors took the lead, it looked as though they were just going to soak up the pressure, before leaving with all three points. But although they didn’t manage that, Drogba showed that even if the Blues are without their two main strikers, he is still more than capable of doing a job. And while he may approaching the end of his career and his pace isn’t what it once was, his eye for goal still is just as sharp.