Manchester United 1-1 Chelsea: De Gea error hands Chelsea top-four advantage

David de Gea's latest mistake meant Chelsea took a point against Manchester United to stay in control of the top-four race.

Published : Apr 28, 2019 23:46 IST

David De Gea was at fault as Marcos Alonso equalised for Chelsea against Manchester United.
David De Gea was at fault as Marcos Alonso equalised for Chelsea against Manchester United.
lightbox-info

David De Gea was at fault as Marcos Alonso equalised for Chelsea against Manchester United.

Chelsea ensured the race for a place in the Premier League's top four remains in its hands after a 1-1 draw with Manchester United at Old Trafford.

Another error from David de Gea allowed Marcos Alonso to cancel out Juan Mata's opener and claim what could be a valuable point in the quest for Champions League qualification.

READ | Manchester United 1-1 Chelsea: De Gea blunder could cost United top four - As it happened

United started the day knowing anything less than a win would leave it needing a few favours in the final two matches of the season, and it deservedly went ahead in the first half after producing a far better performance than it has managed in its recent run of seven defeats in nine games in all competitions.

But De Gea, who made costly mistakes against Barcelona and Manchester City in recent games, gifted Alonso a simple finish that could prove fatal to United's top-four hopes.

READ | David de Gea blooper costs Manchester United, again

United's fast start yielded a goal after 11 minutes - its first from open play since April 2 - when Mata, on his 31st birthday, turned in Luke Shaw's cutback after a fine pass from Romelu Lukaku.

GettyImages-1139955935jpg
Juan Mata scores Manchester United's first goal against Chelsea.
 

Chelsea responded with a period of possession, but the recalled Eric Bailly could have made it 2-0 with a header he glanced just past the right-hand post. The visitor managed to draw level moments before the break, though, as Alonso squeezed in the rebound after De Gea failed to hold Antonio Rudiger's speculative strike from 35 yards out.

The second half was disrupted by a succession of injury problems, with Rudiger and Marcus Rashford unable to fight through the pain barrier and Bailly then helped off after an awkward collision with Mateo Kovacic.

Marcos Rojo had a header cleared off the line by Pedro in injury time, while De Gea saved from Gonzalo Higuain, but United will now need to beat Huddersfield Town and Cardiff City in its final two matches and hope for some help elsewhere if it is to secure Champions League football for next season.


What does it mean? Top four in Chelsea's hands

Thanks to Leicester City's 3-0 defeat of Arsenal earlier, the draw gives Chelsea a two-point cushion to Arsenal and keeps it three above United with two games left.

It means Maurizio Sarri's men, along with Tottenham, must now be clear favourites to finish third and fourth, even though the Blues have potentially tricky games against Watford and Leicester to come.


Mata reminds United what it could miss

It seems likely Mata will leave Old Trafford at the end of the season, but this was a timely reminder - against his old club, no less - that he still has plenty of quality to offer.


De Gea dilemma continues

Solskjaer was adamant he would not drop De Gea for this match. After his third costly error in four games, and with the top four still just about within United's reach, he might have no choice.


What's next?

United heads to relegated Huddersfield Town next Sunday. As for Chelsea, a home game with Watford follows the first leg of its Europa League semi-final with Eintracht Frankfurt.

Sign in to unlock all user benefits
  • Get notified on top games and events
  • Save stories to read later
  • Access to comment on every story
  • Sign up / manage to our newsletters with a single click
  • Get notified by email for early bird access to discounts & offers to our products
Sign in

Comments

Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide to our community guidelines for posting your comment