Man United 1-1 Chelsea.
The first 'real' test for Man Utd this season as they face Chelsea, who are still undefeated in the league. Chelsea have been playing some great football and are looking more the likely to be the premier league winners (and it's only October). Man Utd have had the easier of the games so far this season but unfortunately the issues that were so evident last season appeal to have carried over to this season. If they can get a win at Old Trafford them that surely is the boost they would need to go on to better results.
Louis Van Gaal still has defence concerns as there was another new defence partnership in this crunch game. Smalling with Rojo. Another inexperienced pairing, were they able to keep out a formidable strike force in Drogba, Hazard and Oscar? Yes Chelsea didn't have Costa, but the strength and experience of Drogba is as good as any replacement for the in form Brazilian. Rojo has played every game since his arrival and there are signs of an improving player. With more games he surely will cement his place in the Utd defence. Smalling is a player that produces inconsistent performances and the Utd faithful are praying that he has what it takes.
There were also more injury concerns for Man Utd as Phil Jones and Falcao both picked up injuries in training and a suspended Rooney, with Chelsea without Costa and Remy meant that tonights game may not have been as explosive as one would expect.
The first half started in a predictable fashion. Chelsea applied pressure from the off and they ended up with domination number of corners. And from these corners straight away it was clear to see that there was a mismatch in who Man Utd were going to mark. Chelsea have a towering team and this cause problems in the Utd box. One incident questioned the officials in the game as both John Terry and Ivanovic were bundled to the ground in some fashion but no decision was given. Shawcross who plays for Stoke surely would have had something to say as he was penalised for a similar offence. Utd though started to control the half and they even could have take the lead a couple of time but for the new Chelsea number 1 Courtois keeping the score level.
Second half was the opposite with good chances following mainly for Chelsea. What's seems to be happening this season at Old Trafford, and at away games in that Man Utd seem to retract into their shell and allow the pressure on themselves. The blue wave continued to push and they would have got their lead but for a superb save from De Gea which thwarted Hazard, however, from resulting corner the poor marking that was clearly easy to to see let Drogba head in a powerful header in at the near post. From there Chelsea's tactics changed and they then looked to see the game out.
It's was looking as Mourinho had his tactics carried out the way he wanted but an unfortunate red card for Ivanovic in 93rd minute cost them the win. It was unfortunate in the sense that it may have not been malicious but in today's game, when an attacker has the advantage and cuts I corny of the defender, and form of contact will result in a card. In Ivanovic's card it was his second yellow. From the free kick, another good save from Courtois fell kindly to Robin Van Persie who smashed in the equaliser. He celebrated in the fashion of player and team that were desperate in the the results to fall their way by taking his shirt off, only to be deemed stupid by Van Gaal.
It was a game that United needed, to test the philosophy the LVG is trying to implement and against a good Chelsea squad this was definitely the result they needed.
Chelsea under Mourinho are dangerous, tactics are spot on, but sometimes pushing too hard has cost them games. Chelsea have been to Manchester twice and only managed a draw on both times.
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