Barkley denies fiery United
Hosts Chelsea score late to neutralise Martial’s double strike as Mourinho loses his cool
LONDON:JOSE Mourinho described conceding a 96th minute equaliser to draw 2-2 at Chelsea as an “awful result” for Manchester United, but played down a melee involving players and staff from both sides after Ross Barkley’s late strike.
Mourinho had to be restrained by stewards when one of Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri’s backroom staff, Marco Ianni, ran in front of the Portuguese to celebrate as the hosts salvaged their unbeaten start under the Italian.
The United manager then also gestured with three fingers towards the Chelsea fans in reference to the three Premier League titles he won for the club in two spells in charge.
“I did not get respect back from Chelsea (fans) but that is not my responsibility,” said Mourinho.
Sarri said he had gone with Ianni after the match to offer his apologies to Mourinho.
“After the match I have spoken with Jose and I understood that we were wrong,” said Sarri.
“I (have) spoken immediately with the member of my staff and then I bring him to speak with Mourinho and to say sorry to Mourinho.”
Mourinho accepted that apology. But his frustration at blowing what could have been a huge win in the context of a stuttering season was obvious.
“(It was) not celebrations, but bad education. But I also made mistakes in football matches and I will make more so after the game when he came to offer his apologies, I accept,” added Mourinho.
“A fantastic game with a fantastic result for Chelsea and awful result for us. We were so much in control, so much the positive team in the second half.”
Mourinho’s decision to hand Anthony Martial a start in an attack-minded line-up came good as the Frenchman scored twice in 18 second-half minutes after Antonio Rudiger headed Chelsea into an early lead.
The German defender easily peeled away from Paul Pogba to plant a powerful header past the helpless David de Gea from Willian’s corner.
“Players make mistakes and I prefer to focus on the global performance and again my midfield was very good,” added Mourinho on Pogba’s error.
Martial had been largely anonymous before the break, but took his chances with aplomb when they came in the second period.
Kepa Arrizabalaga parried Juan Mata’s initial effort, but with Marcos Alonso down
injured in the Chelsea box, Martial had time to control Ashley Young’s driven cross back into the area before firing home to equalise.
Martial again provided the final flourish with a brilliant curled effort into the far corner 17 minutes from time after fine work in the build-up by Mata and Rashford.
But United couldn’t hold out for an extra six minutes stoppage time as Barkley pounced after De Gea had produced a miraculous save from Rudiger before carnage broke loose on the touchline.