Closed Man United 1-1 Chelsea

[chelseafc9010 224]

If we were so in control how come we could only score one goal, create less chances, have less possession and have to bring on Mikel to shut up shop? Courtois being our man of the match speaks volume, he saved ours ass a couple of times, I can't see many other keepers saving one of Van Pussey's 1 on 1's in the first half where he got out to him quickly, we didn't dominate at all.

[mannyfreshh 164]

When mikel comes in, we usually concede.

[Epikur 34]

Hazard needs to bury those goals.

[robsblubot 3,595]

Arsenal had a couple of chances in the first half that was very open and even, but in the second half they had absolutely NOTHING. We completely dominated them in the second half and we were in complete control of everything till the 94th minute.

proof that you watched a different game...

---

Had we faced united of old and this would have been a good result. This united however, will lose points to many teams as they have already.

We did not play a great game and Courtois was incredible. I concur with others... if your keeper is MoTM you cannot claim dominance.

Fellaini is really good in the air, so it was always going to be difficult for Cahill. Though RVP was all alone and that was the real mistake IMO. We lost control of the match as soon as Mikel came on and even by his (IMO low) standards he did not have that great a match giving the ball away when under pressure. Oscar wasn't great, but was obviously doing important things on the pitch with interceptions and making good runs like that one fantastic assist to Drogba.

[Jase 43,479]

Can I just say Phil Dowd is one attention seeking bitch? Absoutely appalled at the horrendous officiating! Every foul we committed is a yellow card while United escaped with so many challenges made. Classic case of the referee succumbing to the pressure at Old Trafford and that doesn't even include the penalty we should have had in the first half.

Seriously, do the referees ever speak to one another or analyze incidents together? Michael Oliver (IIRC) gave Swansea a penalty because Shawcross wrestled Bony to the ground but we didn't get one for Smalling on Ivanovic when he committed the same offence (there was even Rojo on Terry!)? WTH?! This inconsistent refereeing is absolutely frustrating and pathetic! Moreover, Ivanovic's second yellow card wasn't even a yellow card in the first replace. Even if Di Maria was clipped, it wasn't even intentional.

On the other hand, thought we played well and should have won the game. But once again, we were let down by some poor defending, apart from the rubbish Phil Dowd. Why did no one pick Fellaini in that free kick? I believe he was Ivanovic's man but since he went off, somebody should have taken responsibility and marked him! And I don't want to be harsh on Zouma but he was at fault too - caught ball watching and allowed Van Persie to get away from him. That's twice now we have thrown away leads in the last few minutes in Manchester. I don't really feel gutted, but rather disappointed.

Also, I said before the game if Drogba starts, we are screwed. After watching the game, think I need to eat some humble pie as he proved me wrong. Played well, certainly better than expected. Held up the ball well and linked with others nicely. This despite him not being 100% fit and if he were, think he would have scored with that chance in the first half.

All in all, pleased with the performance but not really with the result. Thankfully the pain of dropping the two points is lessened by City's loss at West Ham.

[The Chels 2,502]

Can I just say Phil Dowd is one attention seeking bitch? Absoutely appalled at the horrendous officiating! Every foul we committed is a yellow card while United escaped with so many challenges made. Classic case of the referee succumbing to the pressure at Old Trafford and that doesn't even include the penalty we should have had in the first half.

Seriously, do the referees ever speak to one another or analyze incidents together? How one earth did Michael Oliver (IIRC) give Swansea a penalty after Shawcross wrestled Bony to the ground but not Smalling on Ivanovic? This inconsistent refereeing is absolutely frustrating and pathetic! Moreover, Ivanovic's second yellow card wasn't even a yellow card in the first replace. Even if Di Maria was clipped, it wasn't even intentional.

On the other hand, thought we played well and should have won the game. But once again, we were let down by some poor defending, apart from the rubbish Phil Dowd. Why did no one pick Fellaini in that free kick? I believe he was Ivanovic's man but since he went off, somebody should have taken responsibility and marked him! And I don't want to be harsh on Zouma but he was at fault too - caught ball watching and allowed Van Persie to get away from him. That's twice now we have thrown away leads in the last few minutes in Manchester. I don't really feel gutted, but rather disappointed.

Also, I said before the game if Drogba starts, we are screwed. After watching the game, think I need to eat some humble pie as he proved me wrong. Played well, certainly better than expected. Held up the ball well and linked with others nicely. This despite him not being 100% fit and if he were, think he would have scored with that chance in the first half.

All in all, pleased with the performance but not really with the result. Thankfully the pain of dropping the two points is lessened by City's loss at West Ham.

it was great hearing Schmeichel call him out for being arrogant on MOTD. And yeah Zouma took a step forward which allowed van Persie to get to the ball first.

[BlueLyon 9,359]

Iva did what he did, but I still think it was Mou fault for the defeat. United is by no meaning some world class team, that we should park the bus after leading by ONE! goal. Kudos to United, they were very good, but after we scored we should go for another. If they equalised earlier, we would still have time to score another. And instead of controling the game, Mou parks the bus, brings Zouma, Mikel on and practicaly says Ok, United you can now attack attack attack.

I understand these tactics in CL or against top teams (City probably only in league), but other times, we should do the job as potential champions and current leaders would do.

Im happy with more open football by Chelsea this season, but Mou has soft spot for United (already seen last season away), and should do better today. Specialy after leading, this result feels very bitter.

[Jase 43,479]

it was great hearing Schmeichel call him out for being arrogant on MOTD.

Knew something dumb was going to happen when I saw him appointed as the referee for this game last Monday. Absolute joke of a referee!

[Iainrfc04 39]

Can I just say Phil Dowd is one attention seeking bitch? Absoutely appalled at the horrendous officiating! Every foul we committed is a yellow card while United escaped with so many challenges made. Classic case of the referee succumbing to the pressure at Old Trafford and that doesn't even include the penalty we should have had in the first half.

Seriously, do the referees ever speak to one another or analyze incidents together? Michael Oliver (IIRC) gave Swansea a penalty because Shawcross wrestled Bony to the ground but we didn't get one for Smalling on Ivanovic when he committed the same offence (there was even Rojo on Terry!)? WTH?! This inconsistent refereeing is absolutely frustrating and pathetic! Moreover, Ivanovic's second yellow card wasn't even a yellow card in the first replace. Even if Di Maria was clipped, it wasn't even intentional.

On the other hand, thought we played well and should have won the game. But once again, we were let down by some poor defending, apart from the rubbish Phil Dowd. Why did no one pick Fellaini in that free kick? I believe he was Ivanovic's man but since he went off, somebody should have taken responsibility and marked him! And I don't want to be harsh on Zouma but he was at fault too - caught ball watching and allowed Van Persie to get away from him. That's twice now we have thrown away leads in the last few minutes in Manchester. I don't really feel gutted, but rather disappointed.

If you look at Dowds position for the Terry/Iva challenges, he's in awful position and can't see a thing passed as soon as one lot of bodies run across his path. Compared to the Swansea game where the ref stands at the edge of the box so he can see everything.

His officiating was dire overall today

[Atlas Lion 1,223]

David DeGea and Thibaut Courtois are going to go down as legends in the game.

[The Chels 2,502]

Iva did what he did, but I still think it was Mou fault for the defeat. United is by no meaning some world class team, that we should park the bus after leading by ONE! goal. Kudos to United, they were very good, but after we scored we should go for another. If they equalised earlier, we would still have time to score another. And instead of controling the game, Mou parks the bus, brings Zouma, Mikel on and practicaly says Ok, United you can now attack attack attack.

I understand these tactics in CL or against top teams (City probably only in league), but other times, we should do the job as potential champions and current leaders would do.

Im happy with more open football by Chelsea this season, but Mou has soft spot for United (already seen last season away), and should do better today. Specialy after leading, this result feels very bitter.

I think it is best we don't score the winning goal until the last 5-10 mins, else we try to hang on for too long lol. But the approach to the second half before we scored was excellent - creating chances and not conceding many. I completely agree with you and I think most neutrals watching would be wondering the same thing - why don't we just go for the kill ffs!

[BlueLyon 9,359]

This game also shows why we still look for improvement in attack. As Willian (or to matter Schurrle, Salah) are good options, they dont offer that efficiency. And Mourinho counter is all about efficiency. We could be two up at half time if Willian, Oscar played better when we dissposesed United and went 3 on 3 and Willian even 1on1. But we blew those chances without even a shot on goal. Thats why people want Reus or whoever, and I understand them.

Btw, Willian wasnt bad at all, but thing is he probably wont improve and eventualy this team will be too big for him. His work rate is amazing though. I only hope we can find someone with same work rate and better intelligence/efficiency.

Also I hope Hazard will become more cool in finishing. As much De Gea was amazing, Eden's shot was very poor, considering time and space he had.

[Atlas Lion 1,223]

Speaking after Robin van Persie's late strike rescued a point for Man Utd at home to Chelsea, Louis van Gaal said the striker wasn't smart with his goal celebration.

No fucking shite. The twat celebrated as if they just won the title when in reality they were so overjoyed in getting a draw at home and are still sitting beneath Liverpool.

[Chelsea? 892]

We need more than just one goal threat on the field at a time. Drogba was literally the only goal threat on the field against that shaky defense.

[Jase 43,479]

If you look at Dowds position for the Terry/Iva challenges, he's in awful position and can't see a thing passed as soon as one lot of bodies run across his path. Compared to the Swansea game where the ref stands at the edge of the box so he can see everything.

His officiating was dire overall today

I would need to see a full replay of that incident again but if he's badly positioned, then he has to be questioned for that. And I don't recall a lot of bodies running across his path when everything was happening in a straight line during that corner kick. Even if Dowd did miss the incidents, for the sake of the argument, then what the hell was the linesman doing? Surely he could have seen the wrestling and shirt tugging that were going on in the box. There weren't many players blocking his line of vision when they happened.

[Jase 43,479]

Graham Poll: Phil Dowd let Chelsea down by ignoring two Manchester United headlocks

[Chelsea? 892]

When mikel comes in, we usually concede.

that's cause we start sitting back like a bunch of cowards. Nothing to do with mikel and all to do with Mourinho. I love Jose but his negative tactics get to me sometime s

[thekid9 418]

You are a sad human being.

As for the game, Ivanovic cost it for us. He was marking Fellaini the entire game and it just so happened as he was sent off, Fellaini won the header that had RVP equalize.

Will always be Ivanovic's flaw, stupid fucking challenges. Such a shame.

Anyway, 6 points clear of City, not the end of the world.

are you having a laugh? it was never even a foul! Ivanovic cost us nothing today, he was solid.

what cost us what that cunt Dowd, and also Jose stupidly sitting back with 25 minutes to go!

Don't blame brana!

[mikeholiday 209]

Matic was immense. Oscar and Willian work rates were excellent. Happy to see King Didier scoring. Rafael to mark him in set pieces? Really Louie???

Just hoping that manure will make it as difficult for manshity.

[thekid9 418]

Reading some posts on here, I don't think people watch the games? or watch a different one from everyone else?

Some idiot saying Tibo wasn't very good?

just...what?