Late van Persie goal denies Chelsea 3 points against Man Utd
Chelsea walked away from their encounter with Manchester United ruing the fact that they did not collect three points after Robin Van Persie scored a dramatic late goal to deny them victory in a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford on Monday morning (Oct 27, Singapore time).
With Thibaut Courtois keeping out Van Persie’s best efforts, Chelsea seemed likely to hold out.
But just before the final whistle, Branislav Ivanovic was sent off for a second yellow card.
From the free kick, Courtois managed to save from Marouane Fellaini's effort but he could not stop Van Persie’s fierce follow-up.
The draw extended Chelsea’s lead to four points over second-placed Southampton and six over champions Manchester City.
It was only the second time this season Mourinho’s side have failed to take all three points, both games being in Manchester, where they also drew 1-1 with City.
Seven wins and two draws from nine games nevertheless leaves them in an enviable position.
United, meanwhile, find themselves back in eighth after a second successive draw and they have less points at the same stage last season under David Moyes.
The consolation for them is having equalised right at the end again, just as they did in a 2-2 draw at West Bromwich Albion last week.
CHELSEA CONFIDENCE
Without Diego Costa and Loic Remy, there might have been a temptation to set up his team defensively.
But starting with Drogba just in front of Willian, Oscar and Eden Hazard reflected the London side’s confidence after their impressive start to the season.
“My team played a fantastic game, it was not the result we came for, but acceptable.”” Mourinho said.
United’s manager Louis van Gaal was pleased with the way his team kept going, saying: “We showed again that we believe until the end in making a goal.”
They face a tough assignment next, in the Manchester derby away to City next Sunday.
Source: Reuters, Twitter
Related report: Blind rescues a point for Manchester United as they sputter against West Brom
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