LONDON: Casemiro rescued Manchester United as the Brazil midfielder grabbed his first goal for the club in stoppage-time to salvage a dramatic 1-1 draw at Chelsea on Saturday.
Erik ten Hag’s side were seconds away from defeat after Jorginho’s 87th minute penalty put Chelsea ahead in United’s first match since Cristiano Ronaldo was sent into exile.
But former Real Madrid star Casemiro ensured United left west London on a six-match unbeaten run as he netted with a header that was awarded by goal-line technology after crossing the line by millimeters.
Ronaldo was missing from the United squad after being dropped by Ten Hag after his refusal to come on as a substitute in Wednesday’s win over Tottenham.
Ten Hag’s decision to lay down the law to Ronaldo could signal the beginning of the end for the Portugal attacker in his second spell with United.
It would be no surprise if United and Ronaldo parted ways in the January transfer window, but Ten Hag’s men did not appear troubled by the striker’s latest petulant outburst.
With Ronaldo banished, United were still the stronger side for long periods, while there were no chants in support of the 37-year-old from the visiting fans packed into one corner of Stamford Bridge.
Fifth placed United remain one point behind fourth placed Chelsea, who are unbeaten in eight matches in all competitions since Graham Potter replaced the sacked Thomas Tuchel.
The only concern for United was the sight of France center-back Raphael Varane limping off in tears in the second half after a World Cup injury scare.
Varane’s leg twisted awkwardly as he stretched in a failed attempt to intercept a pass toward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, leaving him crumpled in a heap on the pitch for several minutes.
The 29-year-old was eventually able to walk around the pitch unaided, but his angst at potentially missing the World Cup, which starts on November 20, was clear as he punched the corner flag in frustration.
Lost in the fuss over Ronaldo’s antics was the vibrancy of United’s performance against Tottenham and they retained that quality at the Bridge.
A flurry of passes cut through Chelsea’s midfield to create the first chance for Luke Shaw, who fizzed his low drive just wide of the far post from the edge of the area.
Teed up by Bruno Fernandes, United winger Anthony was next to threaten with a left-foot curler that forced a good save from Kepa Arrizabalaga.
Marcus Rashford’s return to form has played a role in keeping Ronaldo on the bench this season.
However, Ronaldo would surely have delivered a better finish than Rashford managed midway through the first half.
Fernandes’s pin-point pass opened up the Chelsea defense, leaving Rashford one on one with Kepa but a poor first touch took him away from goal and his shot thudded into the Chelsea keeper’s chest.
Rashford didn’t let that mess drain his confidence and he surged into the Chelsea area for a fierce strike that Kepa palmed away.
With Chelsea being over-run in central areas, Potter responded by replacing center-back Marc Cucurella and sending on midfielder Mateo Kovacic in a bid to disrupt United’s rhythm.
Chelsea finally managed a menacing raid after Kovacic’s introduction as Aubameyang stabbed just wide.
Aubameyang couldn’t get the decisive touch to a pair of half-chances moments later but United were unfazed.
Christian Eriksen flashed narrowly wide from 25 yards before Anthony missed a glorious chance, the winger firing wide after Fernandes sent him racing clear on goal.
Chelsea’s Trevoh Chalobah hit the bar with a second half header from Mason Mount’s cross.
And Potter’s men looked to have won it in when Scott McTominay needlessly fouled Armando Broja and Jorginho calmly slotted past David De Gea.
But four minutes into stoppage-time, Casemiro rose highest for a superb header that Kepa could only tip onto the post, the ball bouncing down just over the line to spark wild United celebrations.
Casemiro’s last-gasp leveller rescues Man Utd in Chelsea draw
https://arab.news/2cva9
Casemiro’s last-gasp leveller rescues Man Utd in Chelsea draw
- Former Real Madrid star Casemiro ensured United left west London on a six-match unbeaten run
- Ronaldo was missing from the United squad after being dropped by Ten Hag
Ronaldo’s double helps Al-Nassr to 10th straight SPL victory
- Jorge Jesus’ outstanding start continues
RIYADH: Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice to help Al-Nassr to a 3-0 victory over relegation-threatened Al-Okhdood at Al-Awwal Park to seal the club’s 10th consecutive Saudi Pro League win.
The brace took Ronaldo’s career tally to 956 goals as Jorge Jesus’ side recorded the best start to an SPL season in history.
Ronaldo, who was chasing his first hat-trick of the calendar year, looked to have extended that particular run to 16 consecutive years after netting in the 65th minute, but the goal was ruled out for offside following a VAR review.
But Al-Nassr nevertheless continued their outstanding start under former Al-Hilal coach Jesus, who has transformed the team this season.
The title-hungry side, who are seeking their first league crown since the 2018/19 season, moved four points clear of rivals Al-Hilal following the victory, just a few weeks ahead of the sides’ highly anticipated clash at Kingdom Arena on Jan. 12.
With Joao Felix drifting across the front to link up with wingers Wesley and Kingsley Coman, and Marcelo Brozovic controlling the midfield, Al-Nassr’s attacking rhythm was built around crosses to the far post and combinations in the half spaces.
Al-Okhdood did threaten on occasion, as Khaled Narey tested the Al-Nassr backline with runs in behind, but goalkeeper Nawaf Al-Aqidi ensured the hosts maintained a clean sheet.
Despite their early dominance, Al-Nassr had to wait until the 31st minute to find the breakthrough. A Joao Felix corner was met by defender Abdulelah Al-Amri, who headed the ball across goal for Ronaldo to apply the finishing touch.
Ronaldo struck again in the closing moments of the first half, after Brozovic and Angelo combined neatly on the left. The Croatian delivered yet another cross toward Ronaldo, who converted with an exquisite backheel.
The Al-Nassr attack maintained the pressure in the second half with Joao Felix finding Coman on the left, only for his effort to clip the crossbar.
The league leaders created a succession of chances but were unable to find a third until Joao Felix was found in the box to slide the ball past Samuel in the fourth minute of stoppage time.
Al-Nassr now sit comfortably at the top of the Saudi Pro League table with 30 points, having scored 33 goals and conceded just five, underlining their dominance at both ends of the pitch.
Elsewhere, Al-Qadsiah were held to a 1-1 draw by Damac as they looked to break into the top four following Al-Ahli’s defeat to Al-Fateh. A compact Damac side frustrated the hosts, who needed a first-half equalizer from Mateo Retegui to salvage a point.
