Javier Hernandez celebrates with team mates after equalizing against Chelsea. London: There were some numbers to be crunched before this game and the pressure was surely on Manchester United to win it after Manchester City’s victory at Fulham on Saturday. But the way this match was played was reminiscent of the fact why the English Premier League is touted as the best in the world.
Chelsea took a healthy 3-0 lead before Wayne Rooney inspired his team to 3-2, scoring two penalties before Javier Hernandez headed in an equaliser from Ryan Giggs’ cross.
“We dug in, we fought well and maybe that point could win us the league at the end of the season,” said Wayne Rooney, being interviewed by Sky Sports after he won the man-of-the-match award.
The referee was at the centre of the proceedings as early as the 10th minute, when he turned down a penalty shout from Danny Welbeck who was clearly felled by Gary Cahill on the edge of the box.
United controlled proceedings for the first half hour, patiently probing and passing it around in midfield before Chelsea’s Daniel Sturridge decided to carry the ball past the right hand side and into the danger area. His pull-back hit Jonny Evans’ body and it went in past David De Gea for the hosts to take the lead.
If the first half was exciting, then the second half was simply thrilling. Fernando Torres delivered a sumptuous cross from the right wing and Juan Mata showcased his brilliant technique, scoring straight off it in an unstoppable manner. Chelsea were 3-0 up within four minutes of the second half as David Luiz headed in Mata’s free-kick from the right wing.
There was a hint of luck for the Brazilian defender as his header deflected off Rio Ferdinand in what looked like an attempt which might have gone wide.
Manchester United looked as if they were down and out but a penalty decision in the 56th minute went their way and Wayne Rooney scored in the top corner.
With their tails up, United attacked from all sides and Danny Welbeck was brought down in the box by Branislav Ivanovic as Hernandez teed him up. It was a debatable decision but Rooney sent Cech the other way and brought the scoreline to 3-2.
With that sort of motivation, United went all out and Hernandez was at the centre of all the action. It was therefore fitting for the little Mexican to head in the equaliser from a glorious Ryan Giggs cross.
It was all or nothing for both sides after the comeback but David De Gea still had one moment to assure United fans that he has something in him which must have forced Sir Alex to pay so much money for the youngster.
Juan Mata took an absolutely sensational free-kick, which was perfectly heading into the top corner, but it was to be De Gea’s night as he stopped it at full stretch, certainly giving his team a valuable point.
Post match, Ferguson admitted that he saw the result as two points dropped rather than one point gained, but he was still impressed with his players. “To be honest, I should have played Chicharito straight from the second half. He just changed the match. Welbeck was also really good and will turn out to be a top player and De Gea showed us that he has talent and we will trust that talent.”
With Manchester City now two points ahead of their local rivals in the title race, every match is worth winning. And every point, is worth fighting for.