Robin van Persie scored a stoppage-time goal to rescue a 1-1 draw for Manchester United against league leaders Chelsea
Manchester United rescued a 1-1 draw against Chelsea at Old Trafford yesterday, courtesy of a stoppage-time goal from Dutch striker Robin van Persie.
The equaliser came after Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic was dismissed following a second bookable offence.
Control
Just like in most games this season Chelsea looked to be in relative control of the game. United did look like a threat, but there was always that chance that the Blues could hit the home side on the counter-attack.
However, 1-0 is a dangerous lead, just as they found out on the other side of Manchester against reigning champions City.
Blues boss Jose Mourinho shut-up shop with just that narrow one goal lead by making changes that were ultra-defensive, which invited pressure.
This tactic has worked more often than not for the Portuguese boss. Chelsea are also usually well equipped to deal with a one goal lead. The Blues had the best defence in the top-flight last season, but the sending-off of Ivanovic proved to be a vital moment in the game, just seconds later the home side equalised.
Confidence
Manchester United teams in the past two decades have always had a supreme confidence about them until Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement. That confidence and swagger gave United a psychological advantage before games even kicked-off.
That swagger had gone under David Moyes and it was replaced by doubts. Under Louis van Gaal the team are looking slightly more confident, but they are still not at the level where they can feel they can go into any game and be confident of victory.
Chelsea is a team that look like they have a real swagger and arrogance about their game at the moment. However, that swagger is also combined with Mourinho’s managerial acumen, which could be a winning formula this season.
Complete
The only two league games that the Blues have not won this season so far were the two in Manchester and that is no disgrace. Chelsea have started the season like a house on fire in a few of recent seasons, but have then dropped away.
However, this season’s Chelsea looks by far the most complete team they have had since the last time the Blues won the title.
The Blues obviously missed injured Spanish striker Diego Costa against United. Veteran Didier Drogba came in up front and turned back the clock to head the Blues into the lead. Costa’s presence was still noticeable though.
This season Chelsea seem to be strong in every area of the pitch and when Diego Costa does return to full fitness they really will be difficult to stop this season in the race for the Premier League title.
Ahead
Van Gaal recently stated that Blues boss Jose Mourinho was a year ahead of him in his team building. Last season Mourinho started building a team and added real quality to his squad this summer in Spanish duo Cesc Fabregas and Diego Costa.
United boss Van Gaal has started his rebuild job and the team are showing signs that they are moving in the right direction. I have no doubts that the Dutchman will get it right in the next couple seasons.
It seems that the United hierarchy is desperate to restore the Red Devils place as one of the top teams in English football. If they back Van Gaal and quality players continue to arrive at the club they will eventually recover from the minor slump they have been in since Sir Alex’s retirement.
Kick-start
Belgium midfielder Marouane Fellaini has received a lot of criticism since joining the Red Devils from Everton in the summer of 2013. The former-Standard Liege player was regarded as a David Moyes panic buy.
His United career has been plagued by injury and lack of form. Questions have also been asked about where Fellaini is most effective. In the last two games the Belgium midfielder has produced two very decent performances.
At Everton he was most effective playing as an attacking midfielder and Van Gaal gave him a chance against Chelsea. Fellaini arguably enjoyed his best game in a United shirt against the Blues. He started to look like the player who had become a vital cog in David Moyes Everton team.
Fellaini came on as a substitute at West Brom and scored a goal, while it was his header that was saved by Thibaut Courtois, before Robin Van Persie smashed home the equaliser.
He may not have resurrected his United career just yet, but the signs are there that the former-Everton star is ready to produce better performances in a red shirt.
Right Direction
I do not believe that Manchester United will be challenging Chelsea for the Premier League title this season. The Red Devils have improved under Van Gaal and the team look to be heading in the right direction.
However, the fact that the players and fans celebrating a draw against Chelsea in the manner they did shows that everybody at Old Trafford realises that the Red Devils are not yet on the same level as Chelsea.
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