Chelsea went four points clear at the top of the Premier League on Sunday, but it could have been a six-point margin had Manchester United captain Robin van Persie not scored a dramatic late goal to deny them victory in a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford.
“We are not happy with a point,” Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho said after a strong second-half performance in which Didier Drogba, who started because Diego Costa was unfit, headed the visitors in front in the 53rd minute.
With Thibaut Courtois foiling Van Persie’s best efforts, the Blues seemed likely to hold out, but just before the final whistle, Branislav Ivanovic received a second yellow.
Photo: EPA
Courtois saved the ensuing free-kick from Marouane Fellaini, but could not stop Van Persie’s fierce follow-up.
The draw extended Chelsea’s lead to four points over second-placed Southampton and six over champions Manchester City.
It was only the second time this season that Mourinho’s side have failed to take all three points, having also drawn 1-1 with Manchester City. Nevertheless, seven wins and two draws from nine games leaves them in an enviable position.
Photo: AFP
By contrast, United, having briefly reached fourth place, find themselves back in eighth after a second successive draw.
While United coach Louis van Gaal Gaal was obviously relieved to have secured what he felt was a deserved point, he was not so impressed with his star forward’s response to the dramatic goal.
“You have seen a stupid reaction after the goal,” Van Gaal said. “You can be excited, but you don’t have to pull your shirt off. Then you have a yellow card, that is not so smart, but yes, we deserved a point.”
Van Persie was one of nine players booked during the match, a surprisingly high figure given the non-violent nature of the contest, to go with Ivanovic’s second yellow after his foul on Angel di Maria.
Referee Phil Dowd’s performance certainly irritated Mourinho, but he was careful not to make a direct criticism for fear of falling foul of Football Association rules.
“I did five interviews and in all five, the first question was my comments on the referee,” he said. “I told them, my comment is that when five ask me the same thing, I don’t need to answer.”
Elsewhere on Sunday, Newcastle United moved out of the relegation zone with a 2-1 win at Tottenham Hotspur, but winless Burnley stayed there after losing 3-1 to Everton.
Sammy Ameobi scored within eight seconds of coming on as a halftime substitute in Newcastle’s first away win of the season, before Ayoze Perez scored on his full debut for the club.
Cameroon veteran Samuel Eto’o scored twice as Everton’s second successive win took them into the top half of the table.
Romelu Lukaku was guilty of a loose pass that allowed Danny Ings to score his first Premier League goal, but soon made amends, restoring the visitors’ lead in the 28th before Eto’o had his second five minutes from time.
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