Costa’s late goal rescues a point for Chelsea
Chelsea 1 Manchester United 1
Diego Costa’s injury-time goal preserved Chelsea’s unbeaten record under Guus Hiddink.
As the Blues pressed forward in desperate search of an equaliser, Cesc Fabregas picked out Costa, and Cameron Borthwick-Jackson’s last-ditch challenge inadvertently nudged the ball past keeper David De Gea, enabling the striker to tap in from close range.
Jesse Lingard had put Manchester United ahead on the hour mark at Stamford Bridge, where Chelsea defender Kurt Zouma was stretchered off.
Wayne Rooney directed Borthwick-Jackson’s cross towards Lingard, who cleverly turned away from Cesar Azpilicueta and smashed past goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.
The goal came shortly after Zouma landed worryingly awkwardly after going up for a header and seemed to be in some distress before being carried off.
Earlier, Chelsea made a sluggish start but went on to create several first-half openings.
Nemanja Matic’s header from Willian’s right-wing corner was saved by De Gea, and Costa fired narrowly wide after being put through by Oscar’s clever through-ball.
Oscar then had two chances in quick succession, but he shot over after exchanging passes with Azpilicueta and was just unable to connect with Willian’s low cross.
And in the final seconds of the first half, Chelsea felt they should have been awarded a penalty when Willian sent the ball in from the right and Daley Blind blocked John Terry’s shot with his arm.
Chelsea skipper Terry was given a predictably rousing reception on his first appearance at the Bridge since announcing that he is not being offered a new contract and will leave when his current deal expires at the end of the season.
United made a blistering start to the second half and Rooney and Lingard had shots saved by Courtois, while Anthony Martial fired wide of the near post.
It prompted Hiddink to bring on the fit-again Eden Hazard, and a couple of minutes later Zouma’s injury forced the Chelsea interim boss to make another change.
Worse followed for Hiddink’s side when Lingard broke the deadlock and De Gea produced stunning saves to temporarily prevent an equaliser, denying first Branislav Ivanovic and then Fabregas.
Costa went close, heading over at the far post from Willian’s 89th-minute free-kick, before eventually finding the net – his seventh goal in nine matches.
And Costa almost earned victory in the sixth minute of time added on when he ran on to Hazard’s pass but, after cutting inside, saw his low shot brilliantly saved at the near post by De Gea.
Subs not used: Begovic, Baba Rahman, Loftus-Cheek, Traore.
07/02/2016 @ 6:20 pm
Terry tantrum victimization drama and Hiddink stubbornness dropped another 2 points.Terry playing for Terry disordered the whole team, forcing other players to cover his holes and playing Terry’s tactics not the Hiddink’s ones, this eventually indirectly being a cause for Zuouma injury due the rush and extra effort in every intervention. Not only Hiddink had to add an additional contention midfielder(Mikel) to cover the team defensive incapacity, but now is also paying a toll in injuries and other players having to run extra miles. Just as the last year when we burned Matic, Hazard, Fabregas, Ivanovich because the extra defensive miles every game. Now thanks to Hiddink we have to assist to the Terry’s show. All cameras following every Terry’s move, and punching every victimization banner . RIDICULOUS! I have to remember Hiddink we dropped 2 more points, Azpilcueta is not a left winger HELLO? Are you aware 50% of the time is useless when in attack ?Do you entiende? HELLO?