Van Persie Denies Chelsea Maximum Points
Robin van Persie struck in the final minute of added time to give Manchester United a point against league leaders Chelsea.
He pounced as Thibault Courtois parried Marouane Fellaini’s header, firing home the rebound to secure the point.
It all stemmed from a free-kick conceded by Branislav Ivanovic by the left corner flag, fouling Angel Di Maria and picking up his second yellow card of the match.
Didier Drogba had given the visitors the lead in the 53rd minute, jumping high above his marker Rafael to meet a Cesc Fabregas corner firmly and with excellent direction.
An entertaining and swiftly-paced first half had seen chances at both ends. Angel Di Maria had probably the best of them, with two opportunities at close range for volleys that he struggled to time. Adnan Januzaj was a constant threat, with one exceptional run down the left wing resulting in a blazing shot just over the bar.
For Chelsea, Eden Hazard was lively, forcing Rafael into a foul in the opening ten minutes which resulted in a caution and the necessity to take greater care for the remainder of the match.
Courtois in the Chelsea goal was assertive, quick off his line to challenge on the ground, and happy to claim in the air as well.
Both sides also felt that they should have been awarded penalties – Ivanovic involved both times, hauled down by Chris Smalling at one end, and then clipping Januzaj at the other right on the edge of the box.
Earlier inthe day, an inspired half-time double substitution for Newcastle paid off as they picked up a deserved away win against Tottenham at White Hart Lane.
Emmanuel Adebayor had put the hosts in front in the 18th minute with a sublimely smooth header from a beautifully dinked far-post cross by Ryan Mason.
Spurs had the better chances throughout the first half, but both teams tended towards wastefulness, opting for long-distance strikes when a little more assiduity and patience might have served them better.
It took just six seconds of the second half for Newcastle to equalise though, after the two changes which saw Sammy Ameobi and Remy Cabella enter the fray.
From the kick-off, Ameobi blindsided Eric Dier, and pelted a shot across the face of goal and past Hugo Lloris’s despairing glove.
And Cabella did the necessary work for the second goal just before the hour mark, putting in a tremendously accurate cross for the head of Ayoze Perez, rising above Danny Rose to finish.
He pounced as Thibault Courtois parried Marouane Fellaini’s header, firing home the rebound to secure the point.
It all stemmed from a free-kick conceded by Branislav Ivanovic by the left corner flag, fouling Angel Di Maria and picking up his second yellow card of the match.
Didier Drogba had given the visitors the lead in the 53rd minute, jumping high above his marker Rafael to meet a Cesc Fabregas corner firmly and with excellent direction.
An entertaining and swiftly-paced first half had seen chances at both ends. Angel Di Maria had probably the best of them, with two opportunities at close range for volleys that he struggled to time. Adnan Januzaj was a constant threat, with one exceptional run down the left wing resulting in a blazing shot just over the bar.
For Chelsea, Eden Hazard was lively, forcing Rafael into a foul in the opening ten minutes which resulted in a caution and the necessity to take greater care for the remainder of the match.
Courtois in the Chelsea goal was assertive, quick off his line to challenge on the ground, and happy to claim in the air as well.
Both sides also felt that they should have been awarded penalties – Ivanovic involved both times, hauled down by Chris Smalling at one end, and then clipping Januzaj at the other right on the edge of the box.
Earlier inthe day, an inspired half-time double substitution for Newcastle paid off as they picked up a deserved away win against Tottenham at White Hart Lane.
Emmanuel Adebayor had put the hosts in front in the 18th minute with a sublimely smooth header from a beautifully dinked far-post cross by Ryan Mason.
Spurs had the better chances throughout the first half, but both teams tended towards wastefulness, opting for long-distance strikes when a little more assiduity and patience might have served them better.
It took just six seconds of the second half for Newcastle to equalise though, after the two changes which saw Sammy Ameobi and Remy Cabella enter the fray.
From the kick-off, Ameobi blindsided Eric Dier, and pelted a shot across the face of goal and past Hugo Lloris’s despairing glove.
And Cabella did the necessary work for the second goal just before the hour mark, putting in a tremendously accurate cross for the head of Ayoze Perez, rising above Danny Rose to finish.
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