Jesse Lingard’s goal put Manchester United ahead at Stamford Bridge shortly after Chelsea defender Kurt Zouma was stretchered off.
Advertisement
“I think we played very good football”.
Chelsea left it late but finally equalised when Costa rounded Spain team mate David De Gea to score as they drew at home for the fourth straight league match, leaving them in 13th place on 30 points, 17 points from the Champions League places.
The improved performances recently by United, however, have lifted some of the gloom surrounding manager Louis van Gaal. “We played like we played today but we are not making the gap smaller (on the Champions League places)”, he said.
“I have to say that I’m deeply grateful for the reception from the Chelsea fans and their applause when I was substituted. It’s something you keep in your memory forever”.
When the Manchester United manager was asked to comment on Wesley Sneijder’s remark that he was “a stern schoolmaster” while Hiddink was “a friendly uncle”, Van Gaal snorted with derision. One might imagine Jose Mourinho silently laughing to himself as his old side pegged back his potential future employers.
Chelsea were struggling to get out of their own half, but United could not maintain their initial rhythm and as the half wore on, the hosts took the upper hand.
The prospect of Van Gaal losing his job at United has receded dramatically with what he called “sparkling football” at Derby in the FA Cup and on Tuesday night against Stoke City at a newly vibrant Old Trafford.
“There has been such nonsense created about me”, Van Gaal was quoted as saying in several national newspapers.
This isn’t exactly the impact Chelsea fans were hoping for.
After trying so hard all game to get a goal, in the first minute of added time, Fabregas picks an expert pass through to Costa who was played onside by Borthwick-Jackson.
“But since I arrived at Chelsea I have learnt a lot from him. In the last quarter we gave it away”.
“I am not agreeing with that remark of Wayne Rooney”, Van Gaal said.
Despite this, Mata felt he and his teammates played well.
Just like at the start of the first half, United were the dominant side in the early stages of the second 45 minutes with Martial again allowed to cut in from the left, but this time the Frenchman screwed his shot wide. They are five points below Arsenal and Tottenham.
Advertisement
United were moments away from moving to within four points of the top four when Costa scored his seventh goal in eight games.
