Chelsea 1-1 Manchester United: What Were The Big Talking Points As The Red Devils Snatch A Point At Stamford Bridge?

In what was a remarkable ending at Stamford Bridge on Saturday evening, Chelsea and Manchester United eventually played out a thrilling 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge.

While the Blues might have been within seconds of snatching all three points as Jorginho converted from the penalty spot with just a couple of minutes left, it was Erik ten Hag’s side who quickly silenced the fans in west London and mounted a stunning last-gasp comeback away from Old Trafford.

Watching summer arrival Casemiro produce a sublime header in the dying seconds of injury-time, Graham Potter’s men were left heartbroken in the capital as they missed out on the chance to widen their buffer in the top-four chase.

In a showdown between two Premier League giants this weekend, we have taken a look at the big talking points following a nervy affair at Stamford Bridge.

A disappointing evening for Chelsea and Potter

While Chelsea might have had to settle for a 0-0 stalemate away at Brentford earlier in the week, the former European champions had gained plenty of praise since welcoming Potter to Stamford Bridge last month.

Laying down a marker over the past few weeks as they clinched back-to-back Champions League victories against Italian champions AC Milan, the former Chelsea boss would have been desperate for his side to make another statement here.

However, while Jorginho’s late controversial penalty might have put the Blues minutes away from extending their top-four advantage to three points, Potter’s side failed to find top gear with much stability on Saturday evening.

Knowing that they probably would have been fortunate to have left with the win this weekend, Chelsea could only muster a pair of shots on target in what was often a cagey affair at Stamford Bridge.

Nevertheless, with Casemiro’s last-gasp header the only goal that they have conceded from their previous six appearances across all competitions, Potter is still yet to taste a single defeat from his opening seven matchups in Chelsea’s dugout.

United show all of their resolve

Shocking many across the Premier League earlier in the week as they picked up a deserved 2-0 victory at home against Tottenham, Manchester United made the trip to Stamford Bridge with the mood in their camp at a real high.

While a certain Cristiano Ronaldo might have stolen most of the headlines over the past few days due to his ongoing feud with ten Hag, the former Ajax boss would have been pleased by the resolve that his side showed on Saturday evening.

With ex-Real Madrid superstar Casemiro producing a stellar last-gasp header and handing the Red Devils a deserved point here, United have now lost just one of their previous nine Premier League appearances and they do appear to have found their feet under ten Hag.

With their sights firmly set on clinching a Champions League return this season, they also extended on what is a remarkable unbeaten run against their fellow English heavyweights.

Although each of the previous five showdowns between Chelsea and United might have finished in a stalemate, Saturday’s guests are unbeaten in their previous 10 consecutive Premier League showdowns against Potter’s new squad.

Concerns over Varane

Although ten Hag and Saturday’s traveling support might have been overjoyed to have snatched an injury-time point against their top-four rivals, that did leave Stamford Bridge with one huge injury concern.

While Raphael Varane might have struggled initially upon making the move from Real Madrid 14 months ago, the French international has only underlined his importance to ten Hag’s plans over the past few weeks.

Forming a blossoming relationship with summer arrival Lisandro Martínez at the heart of United’s defence, the Reds were left heartbroken after Varane was forced off the pitch after falling awkwardly while trying to challenge Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

Replaced by Victor Lindelof and leaving the pitch in tears, United also confirmed after Saturday’s showdown that they are worried about the extent of the 29-year-old’s injury.

However, although United fans might be concerned, Didier Deschamps would have undoubtedly been struck with fear back watching on from France.

With under a month until the 2022 Qatar World gets underway, initial signs appear to suggest that Varane will now be a major doubt for the defending champions this year.

Match Report:

Chelsea: Kepa, Chalobah, Silva, Cucurella, Azpilicueta, Jorginho, Loftus-Cheek, Chilwell, Mount, Sterling, Aubameyang

Subs: Kovacic, Broja, Pulisic, Chukwuemeka

Manchester United: De Gea, Dalot, Varane, Martinez, Shaw, Casemiro, Eriksen, Fernandes, Antony, Sancho, Rashford

Subs: Lindelof, McTominay, Fred, Elanga

Goals: Chelsea: Jorginho (pen 87′) – Manchester United: Casemiro (90+4′)

Yellow Cards: Chelsea: Jorginho – Manchester United: Fred, Antony, Shaw, Martinez

Red Cards: N/A

Referee: Stuart Attwell