Robin van Persie delivered when it mattered
Already without Wayne Rooney for today’s game and having lost Falcao shortly before kick-off, Manchester United needed Robin van Persie to give them something. It could be argued that before today, the Dutchman hadn’t netted for the club against a high-calibre team in almost twelve months (the winner against Arsenal on 10th November 2013) though there certainly have been ‘important’ goals along the way.
Nevertheless, he began the game brightly and enjoyed an impressive first-half overall, showing well for the ball, bringing others into the game and almost scoring after being slipped through by Adnan Januzaj. In the second half, he grew increasingly weary and when Chelsea scored and began to slow the tempo and frustrate United, he could barely muster the energy for those thankless shuttle runs, scampering to try and close down Terry and Cahill when they took possession.
Late in the game, he had another opportunity after Luke Shaw played a clever pass into the left channel of the area. But again, Van Persie was thwarted by Thibaut Courtois and it seemed inevitable that the attacker would be held scoreless for the fifth time this season.
But, when the goal finally came, it was about quick reactions. Fellaini’s header was blocked expertly by Courtois but Van Persie was already anticipating while, understandably, it took Kurt Zouma a second or two to respond to the loose ball. Before many knew it, the ball was in the net and Van Persie – the player with the unshakeable self-belief, was United saviour again. His celebrations said much. He wanted it badly. He had criticism, he had many knocking his performances. But reports of his demise have been greatly exaggerated.
Cesc Fabregas was well-shackled and hardly featured
Chelsea’s terrific start to the season has featured some magnificent link-up play between Cesc Fabregas and Diego Costa. And the striker’s absence from today’s clash seemed to affect the midfielder’s performance. In the first half especially, he was very subdued as Manchester United’s midfield three of Blind, Fellaini and Mata took to shackling and harassing Fabregas whenever he took possession.
And Fabregas also seemed to struggle with his deliveries. Chelsea forced a litany of set-pieces in the first half and David De Gea had few problems with the majority of them.
After the break, he was better as Chelsea began the second half with a lot more purpose, stepping forward and giving United little space to break out from the back. On 53 minutes, he whipped in a terrific corner for Drogba to head in the opener and from there, he began to improve with his passing stats looking a lot healthier come full-time.
But, we saw little of the rampaging Fabregas that has popped up at various moments since the season begun. Instead, Hazard seemed the biggest offensive weapon. Fabregas rarely made cameo appearances in the United penalty area and wasn’t intelligently running from deep before playing a clever pass or shooting at goal.
It may prove slightly worrying for Jose Mourinho that the Spaniard was so effectively shut-out of the game and his creativity stifled.
Marouane Fellaini continued eye-catching renaissance
The Belgian looks re-born and the goal against West Brom has certainly provided him with renewed confidence. His United career, lest we forget, looked all but over when Napoli wanted to take him on loan before the transfer window shut in August. But injury prevented him from heading to Serie A and he was forced to remain at Old Trafford, get through his rehab and try and fight for his place under Louis van Gaal.
Against the Baggies, he was brought on in place of the lightweight Ander Herrera to provide some more physicality. He proved a real menace, imposing himself on proceedings immediately by conjuring a superb individual goal. It might just go down as a critical moment in his career. Today, he was one of United’s best performers and didn’t shirk responsibility and seemed eager to impress once again. He was integral to United’s system of shutting down Fabregas but he also broke up play and was quick to feed the willing runners in front of him.
There was something fitting that he had such a key involvement in United’s equaliser – his physicality – such a strong attribute of his but rarely seen under David Moyes last season – proving key. Already, many are running the campaign for him to start against Manchester City next weekend. He’s come so far in such an incredibly short space of time.
Thibaut Courtois is simply getting better and better
You have to feel for Petr Cech. Such a magnificent servant to Chelsea for so long and without having done anything wrong, he has found himself a regular bench-warmer. Worse still, he’s been forced to watch a kid take his place and not put a foot wrong.
Courtois has been a terrific goalkeeper for a few years – hardly a coincidence that his spell with Atletico brought the club so much success. But against United, he delivered a flawless performance with an international audience watching. Yes, there were the saves from Van Persie – decent blocks that required skill, reaction and awareness. But there were also the routine moments – the crosses effortlessly plucked from the air, the shots from distance that he swept into his gloves with minimum fuss. He was also incredibly unlucky to see a close-range stop from Fellaini pounced upon by Van Persie and lashed to the net.
He deserved to keep a clean-sheet today. And what’s more: Cech, the seasoned pro, would’ve had nothing but admiration on the sidelines.
Did Phil Dowd come down hard on Chelsea?
In his post-match comments, Jose Mourinho insinuated that his side were repeatedly punished by the referee. And there were a number of key incidents that Dowd was embroiled in.
Firstly, Chris Smalling appeared to wrestle Branislav Ivanovic to the ground in the first half as the Serb tried to latch onto Cesc Fabregas’ teasing free-kick. In the moment, it looked like a 50/50 grapple in the area but the Chelsea defender was fuming when Dowd waved play on. The replays certainly suggested the guests should’ve had a penalty – Smalling seemed all over Ivanovic with zero intent to play the ball.
Ivanovic was again at the centre of things in the second period when he clashed with Di Maria and picked up a yellow card. Though many have suggested the booking was for the challenge, it may have been for the full-back’s reaction after Dowd awarded the free-kick. Brushing off the Argentine was hardly malicious and it certainly didn’t appear to merit going in the book.
But, already on a booking, Ivanovic had to be careful and he wasn’t. In injury time, as Di Maria raced towards the by-line to get a cross in, the Chelsea defender appeared to catch him on the heels, tripping him up. Even if it was accidental, it deserved a yellow.
Given the circumstances, Mourinho will be disappointed with Ivanovic. Firstly, picking up a cheap yellow for mouthing to the referee and then the double-blow of a second booking and the concession of a free kick in such a dangerous position.
