TUCH AND GO BUT IT’S RON TOTHERESCUE
CRISTIANO RONALDO once again came to Manchester United’s rescue to save them from a third straight Premier League defeat.
The draw means United – whose interim boss Ralf Rangnick is set to take on the Austria national job – have taken just five points from 18.
Chelsea dominated throughout and went ahead on the hour through Marcos Alonso only for Ronaldo to equalise two minutes later with a thunderous finish.
Thomas Tuchel’s side had 21 shots to United’s four as Chelsea pushed for what would have been a deserved winner.
And failure to win ended any lingering hope United had of clinching Champions League football next season.
Nemanja Matic – the former Chelsea midfielder – insisted there had been progress for United.
Matic said: “It was an improvement. We played against a very good team. Maybe they had more opportunities than us but 1-1 is a fair result.
“Tonight looked much better than the last couple of weeks. We showed we didn’t give up and showed good character.”
Tuchel didn’t agree. The Chelsea boss said: “One team deserved to win and that was us. We didn’t take it. It was a very good performance but we were not decisive enough.
“We lacked a bit of determination in the box to win the game.
“It sometimes happens. It’s on us to learn from it. You need to be clinical to get the reward. We have to live with a point but it’s not a fair result.
“We worked so hard to get the lead and suddenly the opponent gets one free shot and scores.”
David De Gea’s saves and poor-decision making meant Chelsea failed to turn their domination into a deserved lead. They finally broke the deadlock in the 60th minute.
Reece James was given time to float over a cross from the right that Kai Havertz flicked on for Alonso to hit a crashing volley at the far post.
But it didn’t kick open the floodgates. Instead, Matic’s clipped ball put Ronaldo through and the veteran lashed home a 62nd-minute equaliser.
James hit the post late on but United somehow ended Chelsea’s record run of eight-successive away wins in all competitions.