Chelsea remain undefeated…
Sunday’s match between Manchester United and Chelsea was billed as a battle of managerial wills between Louis van Gaal and Jose Mourinho. The Dutchman was once the Chelsea manager’s mentor at Barcelona, and their comments in the build up did had a master versus apprentice feel to them, but what did we learn from this battle between old friends?
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5) Chelsea aren’t the same without striking pair…
Both Diego Costa and Loic Remy were ruled out of the clash with United, and it showed on the pitch. Although their replacement Didier Drogba managed to score, it wasn’t quite the same without the Spaniard or Frenchman putting fear in to the hearts of the defenders. Chelsea will be hoping that at least one of them is fit soon.
4) Marouane Fellaini might have turned it around…
The big Belgian had a good game on Sunday, following his goal last week against West Brom. Playing further forward in a role similar to the one he inhabited at Everton, the 26-year-old battled throughout and it was his header that helped in the build up to van Persie’s late equaliser. This could finally be the awakening of the Red Devils £27.5 million signing, over a year on from his original move.
3) Chelsea the team to catch…
Even without their first and second choice strikers Chelsea were still the better team throughout the match, and looked like they would win it until Robin van Persie’s late intervention. How many sides would be able to do that away at Old Trafford? Now top of the league by four points and six ahead of closest rivals Manchester City, they are going to take some catching by any potential title challengers.
2) Turning point for Man Utd?
Although they didn’t play the best football and looked the second best side, the red side of Manchester will have gained some new found impetus and confidence through their late equaliser. If they are able to build on this and fully utilise the talents of their front line over the next few weeks, this could be the point from which the Red Devils really begin to live up to their potential.
1) Too early to tell if Jose Mourinho is now the master?
In the buildup to this match, much was made of the managers’ shared history. Mourinho was the Dutchman’s assistant at Barcelona, and it was van Gaal who first started allowing the Portuguese to manage the team during some matches. However, on Sunday’s evidence Jose has now become the superior, and his Chelsea side looking far better than United. On the other hand he has had an extra year in which to mould his team, so maybe next season is when we will see a fairer match up between these two great coaches.