Diego Costa pounced a minute into added time to rescue a point for Chelsea and leave Manchester United six points behind fourth-placed Manchester City, following a 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge.
United were heading to what would have been a morale-boosting three points, thanks to a brilliant turn and half-volley finish from Jesse Lingard in the 61st minute.
But Chelsea’s Brazilian-born striker got his seventh goal in his last nine games for the club, calmly rounding David De Gea after being played in by Cesc Fabregas, to slot home the equaliser.
It was tough on United, who belied the criticism of their play as sterile under manager Louis van Gaal, putting in a performance brimming with attacking intent.
United were particularly adventurous down the flanks, with full-backs Cameron Borthwick-Jackson and Mateto Darmian providing width and the former getting forward to set up Lingard’s opener.
Both goalkeepers demonstrated their pedigree and, without custodians of the quality of De Gea and Courtois, it could conceivably have ended up 3-3, rather than 1-1.
A draw may have been disheartening for Van Gaal’s team, but Chelsea deserved credit for responding to going behind by turning the tide and ramping up the pressure on United.
With time running out, the reigning champions began to force the Red Devils back as they monopolised possession of the ball.
Van Gaal left the pitch in discussion with the match officials, but upon reflection he will surely be angrier with the manner in which his team allowed Fabregas to thread the ball through a crowded, central area of the pitch, into Costa’s path in the penalty box.
Daley Blind in particular seemed to go walkabout, then crucially slipped as Costa evaded the United defence, a minute into the six minutes added on at the end of the second half.
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Source: Talksport