Manchester United 1-1 Chelsea: David de Gea mistake proves crucial as Blues hold advantage in top four race

Manchester United 1-1 Chelsea: David de Gea mistake proves crucial as Blues hold advantage in top four race
Chelsea remain in a commanding position to finish in the Premier League top four after drawing 1-1 at Manchester United on Sunday.A David de Gea mistake gifted the Blues an equaliser late in the first half following Juan Matas goal against his old club in the 11th minute.5

Juan Mata put Manchester United into the lead early on

Just before the break, Antonio Rudiger’s shot from distance troubled De Gea, who couldnt keep hold of the ball.Marcos Alonso followed in and dinked a finish on the rebound over the desperate stopper, which proved to be the games decisive moment.Ole Gunnar Solskjaer had given a firm rebuttal on Friday to suggestions he could take De Gea out of the firing line after a costly mistake against Manchester City on Wednesday and he will be faced with the same question again.5

Marcos Alonso drew Chelsea level

The draw means United remain three points behind fourth-placed Chelsea with only two games to go and with a substantially inferior goal difference.Both managers rang the changes, with Solskjaer making five alterations to the team beaten in the derby on Wednesday.Eric Bailly made a rare start in defence while Ander Herrera returned from a hamstring problem and Mata, Romelu Lukaku and Nemanja Matic also featured.Rudiger and N’Golo Kante were both fit for Chelsea, with Alonso, Mateo Kovacic and Willian also in the starting line-up. Luke Shaw produced an important clearance as Chelsea began strongly but the first clear chance went to United in the fourth minute.Rudiger was caught under a long ball from Shaw and Romelu Lukaku held off the defender but Kepa Arrizabalaga was smartly off his line to smother the striker’s shot.Lukaku and Shaw were involved again seven minutes later, though, as United did take the lead.Shaw began the move with a pass to Paul Pogba, who squared to Lukaku and his superbly-timed dink over the defence played in Shaw, who cut the ball back across the box for Mata.5

The United players celebrate their well-worked goal

The Spaniard had plenty to do with defenders on the line but he calmly picked his spot in the far corner to score against Chelsea for the first time since leaving Stamford Bridge in 2014.It was the first goal United had managed from open play since Scott McTominay’s effort in a 2-1 defeat by Wolves at the start of April.Chelsea were having plenty of possession but without really threatening United, and a mix-up in their box could have been costly as Rudiger headed against the back of Alonso, but Cesar Azpilicueta was there to clear before the hosts could profit.Moments later Bailly rose highest to meet a corner but headed just wide with Arrizabalaga beaten.De Gea’s error changed the whole feeling of the game going into half-time and Chelsea looked more dangerous in the early stages of the second half without managing to test the goalkeeper further.5

De Gea has been in very bad form lately

The visitors were forced into a substitution in the 65th minute when Rudiger – who had fought off a knee problem to make the starting line-up – went down clutching his left leg and limped off to be replaced by Andreas Christensen.United had to make two changes in quick succession, with Marcus Rashford succumbing to a shoulder issue that had bothered him since the first half and then, more seriously, Bailly twisting his right knee in a challenge.The defender was able to limp off after lengthy treatment but it was clear he was in a lot of pain.Alexis Sanchez and Marcos Rojo were the men to come on, and the defender was fortunate to see yellow rather than red after flying into a challenge on Willian, who also had to be substituted.Amid all the stoppages, it was not surprising that the intensity had gone out of the game, and seven minutes were added to the end of the game.It was United who created the first clear chance of the half when Rojo jumped to meet a corner but his header was cleared off the line by Pedro, while De Gea at least ended the game well with a block from Gonzalo Higuain.5

With two games remaining, Chelsea sit fourth in the table

---

Liverpool news: Jurgen Klopp angry at Burnley's aggressive

---

Scott McTominay: Manchester United midfielder is 'not the answer', says talkSPORT's Adrian Durham Curated post Scott McTominay earned rave reviews for his performance in Manchester United's narrow defeat to Barcelona on Wednesday night, but talkSPORT's Adrian Durham was far from convinced.
Scott McTominay puts in coming-of-age display against

---

Feb 14, 2019 · Dwight Gayle to serve two-game ban after West Brom striker accepts FA charge for diving Save Dwight Gayle earned his side a late penalty against Nottingham Forest but it was later deemed he dived
Dwight Gayle: West Brom striker banned for 'diving' - BBC Sport

---

When is the Champions League quarter-final draw and who could Manchester United face? New, 14 comments All you need to know as Manchester United head into the last 8 of Europe's biggest cup.
When is the Champions League quarter-final draw? - Manchester

---

NEXT POST Next post: Referees' union 'concerned' about violence towards officials after Neil Warnock 'thumping' rant on talkSPORT Leave a Reply Cancel reply You must be logged in to post a comment.
Neil Warnock criticises 'out of order' treatment from FA over
usasportsradar.com/soccer/neil-warnock-criticises-out-of-order-treatment-from-fa-over-fine/
Neil Warnock has criticised the treatment he received from the FA after he was handed a £20,000 fine for comments he made about Premier League officials. The Cardiff manager was hit with three FA charges after he branded the officials as the "worst in the world" after his side were beaten 2-1 against Chelsea on March 31.
Neil Warnock criticises 'out of order' treatment from FA over

---

Liverpool forward Sadio Mane endured a disappointing outing for the Reds in their Champions League clash with German champions Bayern Munich and his woes were compounded when he found out that his house was burgled during the game.
Liverpool news: Sadio Mane's house burgled during Champions

---

What Sir Alex Ferguson told Man Utd at half-time to spark 5-3 comeback against Tottenham. Manchester United face Tottenham on Sunday in what will be Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's toughest challenge to
Mauricio Pochettino: Negotiating with Daniel Levy is not

---

REUTERS/Eddie Keogh Batshuayi left Chelsea for a loan spell with Dortmund, before being shipped off to Valencia in August Batshuayi isn't the first footballer to joke he leads a double life as an agent. Paul Pogba also claims to be a pro in the transfer market, thanks to his power of persuasion and has labelled himself 'Agent P'.
Bournemouth transfer news: Jermain Defoe will be allowed to

---

Manchester City news: David Silva 'to leave Etihad Stadium at end of next season' David Silva is set to leave Manchester City at the end of next season, according to reports. The 33-year-old is expected to run down his contract at the Etihad talkSPORT 17 hours ago

---

Portsmouth pair named in PFA League One Team of the Year as Barnsley dominant, while Sunderland, Luton and Doncaster players feature Team of the Year. The Pompey pair were selected in the XI
PFA League One Team Of The Year

---

Bramall Lane is a football stadium in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England.It is the home of Sheffield United.As the largest stadium in Sheffield during the 19th century, it hosted most of the city's most significant matches including the final of the world's first football tournament, first floodlit match and several matches between the Sheffield and London Football Associations that led to

---

Moussa Djenepo: Profile on the Standard Liege star set to join Southampton and has been lauded by Belgium legend Michel Preud'homme Southampton will make the 20-year-old their first summer
Moussa Djenepo: Profile on the Standard Liege star set to

---