Last-gasp Casemiro earns Man Utd point at Chelsea
Casemiro’s looping stoppage-time header gave Manchester United a deserved point in a dramatic finale against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
Jorginho’s late penalty looked to have given Chelsea a narrow win when he sent goalkeeper David de Gea the wrong way from the spot after substitutes Scott McTominay and Armando Broja tangled at a corner three minutes from time.
United, with Cristiano Ronaldo left out of the squad as a disciplinary measure following his refusal to come on as a substitute in the win against Tottenham, had the better chances as they dominated the first half.
Erik ten Hag’s side were well on top and far more dangerous, Kepa saving well from Marcus Rashford and Antony, the latter also missing a great chance when clean through.
The second half was closer and concluded with that frantic finish, but the main worry for United now is an injury to defender Raphael Varane, who left the pitch in tears as he clearly fears for his World Cup chances with France.
Disappointment for Chelsea & Potter
Chelsea manager Graham Potter must have thought he was on the way to his second victory over United this season after Jorginho calmly slotted home a late penalty.
Potter, who won at Old Trafford with Brighton on the opening weekend, was also set to see his side earn a sixth successive clean sheet in all competitions until that late Casemiro intervention.
In reality, however, Chelsea would have been fortunate to win. Indeed, so outmanoeuvred were they in the first half that Potter was forced into a tactical reshuffle to bolster his struggling midfield after only 36 minutes, Mateo Kovacic coming on for Marc Cucurella .
Chelsea were grateful to goalkeeper Kepa in that period but they improved after the break – albeit they were still unable to force De Gea into any serious work, the one anxious moment for the visitors coming when Trevoh Chalobah’s header glanced off the top of the bar.
The hosts ultimately could muster just two shots on target in a game that failed to live up to its billing – but there will be real disappointment that they could not close out the win after taking the lead so late.
Potter was at least able to maintain his unbeaten record as Chelsea manager but it could have been so much more satisfying.
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