Embattled Jose Mourinho had to be restrained on the bench after angrily reacting to Chelsea celebrations as Manchester United drew 2-2 at Stamford Bridge.
Here, Press Association Sport examines the battle between Mourinho and Maurizio Sarri in west London.
Tactical battle
Game 🔛 at Stamford Bridge. 👊
The scores are level, there's just under half an hour to go and we're hitting our stride – keep it up! #MUFC #CHEMUN pic.twitter.com/psLe5MsKUx
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) October 20, 2018
Chelsea dominated the first 50 minutes, squeezing United high up the field thanks to meticulous Italian boss Sarri’s already well-honed strategic blueprint. The Blues heaped the pressure on ex-Chelsea midfielder Nemanja Matic to fine effect in the first half. But once United equalised, the game changed completely. Where United were previously flat-footed and sluggish, suddenly the visitors were aggressively poaching second balls and launching quick-fire counter-attacks. The more Chelsea pushed to regain the ascendancy, the more they played into the hands of Mourinho’s countering style. Martial thought he had won the day with an 18-minute goal brace, only for Chelsea to steal a draw at the death.
Touchline behaviour
💆♂️ We've done well to come from behind, but now is the time to keep calm and hold on.
Less than 🔟 minutes left! #MUFC #CHEMUN pic.twitter.com/woLCozvo2c
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) October 20, 2018
United boss Mourinho failed to keep his cool as his side battled for a draw in west London. The Portuguese manager lost his temper entirely when Chelsea equalised at the death to deny his side a victory. Mourinho had to be restrained when attempting to rebuke the Chelsea bench, the Red Devils coach appearing angered by the home side’s exuberant celebrations. Mourinho had earlier leapt to his feet on several occasions to lambast Romelu Lukaku for struggling in his hold-up play. United’s boss also fought to appease two-goal match-winner Martial on the touchline, when replacing the France forward late on in a tempestuous afternoon. Martial simply offered his boss a wry smile, a cursory hug, and trudged to the bench. Sarri in relative contrast kept his cool, pacing the technical area as calmly as ever. The Italian was seen talking animatedly with assistant Gianfranco Zola once his side slipped behind, but still he stayed relatively cool.
Maintaining confidence and discipline
Half-time: Chelsea 1-0 Man Utd 👍
Rudiger's header from a Willian corner is the difference at the break. #CHEMUN pic.twitter.com/FMv554XT5D
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) October 20, 2018
Neither manager could coax a 90-minute performance out of their side. Antonio Rudiger outfoxed Paul Pogba to head Chelsea into the lead, with a facile run to lose his marker in the box from a corner. Pogba threw his hands up in response, and spent the first half indulging more in histrionics than smart midfield play. For so long Chelsea looked collected and composed, but in a flash that all changed. Martial’s equaliser sparked United into life, and forced Chelsea onto the back foot – and the Blues lost almost all shape at the back afterwards. And yet despite all that, Chelsea still conjured a late equaliser.
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