However, Diego Costa will show up at last and in his usual style earned Chelsea a point at the 91st minute.
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“To concede late on it is like a defeat but we have to move on to the next game”, he said.
United dictated large parts of the game, making an assertive start at Stamford Bridge, passing with precision and speed across the field.
In a frenzied end to the game, Costa turned away from his marker and shot at De Gea, but the Spaniard got down well to make a vital save and preserve United’s point, as the game ended 1-1. So United find themselves six points off fourth spot (and 12 behind leaders Leicester) while Chelsea are a whopping 17 points off the top four, leaving that dream dead and buried.
“They started well but as the game grew on we grew into it”, Chelsea captain John Terry told Sky Sports.
Chelsea boss Guus Hiddink doesn’t know what to expect from fans ahead of their clash with Manchester United.
United, the first season after Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement, and Blackburn Rovers in 1995-96 are the only teams to have previously finished outside of the top four as defending Premier League champions.
Cameron Borthwick-Jackson and Michael Carrick both dispatched long-range sighters before Thibaut Courtois was called into serious action in the 18th minute, palming Anthony Martial’s drive around the post.
United flickered – Marouane Fellaini heading wide, Matteo Darmian crossing menacingly – before Chelsea’s hands flew into the air when a shot from Terry struck Daley Blind on the elbow inside the visitors’ box.
“I think we played the majority of the game well”, Lingard said.
Ozil opened the scoring in the 23rd minute, skilfully slamming home right-footed after Olivier Giroud nodded down Aaron Ramsey’s flighted pass to claim his first goal since the 2-0 win over Bournemouth on December 28.
“If you give a team like Arsenal time on the ball they will punish you”. “I’ve made it very clear I want to stay, but more important is getting up to where we should be in the table”.
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Borthwick-Jackson crossed from the left, Rooney laid the ball off and Lingard held off Azpilicueta to shoot high into the net. He did it also in the first half.
