Chelsea boss Liam Rosenior. (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images)placeholder image
Chelsea boss Liam Rosenior. (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Manchester United and Chelsea dropped points in the race for Champions League qualification.
It was a good night of results for Liverpool in terms of the race for Champions League qualification.
Manchester United and Chelsea dropped points, meaning that the Reds have the chance to close the gap on the Premier League top five when they make the trip to Sunderland.
Michael Carrick’s perfect record as United head coach came to an end as they were held to a 1-1 draw against West Ham United at the London Stadium. The Red Devils required a 96th-minute Benjamin Sesko equalise to rescue a point against the struggling Hammers.
United, in fourth, are six points above Liverpool in the table. The Old Trafford side now have a break for 12 days as they are not in FA Cup action this weekend. United travel to Everton on Monday 23 February and Carrick is hoping to use the break to clear up some injury issues.
Carrick said: “We’ll stay in Manchester. It’s a chance to refresh a little bit, we have a few knocks and a few niggles. We have a few strains we would like to clean up, as well it will be good to have a little breather, and to digest where we’re at after this period. We need to clear our heads, do some good work, take a deep breath and to come back even stronger. It’s a strange one, 13 days, but we’ll look to make the most of it.”
Meanwhile, Chelsea - in fifth spot -threw away victory to draw 2-2 against Leeds United at Stamford Bridge. The London outfit were two goals ahead following goals from Joao Pedro and Cole Palmer (penalty). But Leeds displayed their resolve once again, with Lukas Nmencha netting a spot-kick and Noah Okafor equalising.
Chelsea, now five points above ahead of Liverpool, suffered a big injury concern as Marc Cucurella was forced off at half-time. Head coach Liam Rosenior said: “Unfortunately, at half-time, he felt his hamstring. It wasn't a tactical change. It was one that was enforced and Cucu's been top and hopefully he'll be OK. We'll scan him and make sure we find out if he's available for the next game.”
On the failure to win the game, Rosenior said: “Two key moments in the game that we don't take care of. We don't stay calm. Moises Caicedo is a magnificent player, he's been top for me. We make a poor decision.
“Actually, how the play gets there as well. We make a few poor decisions in terms of how we press in that moment and we give away a penalty when, like genuinely, I can't remember Leeds having a shot or a moment in the game. Some of our football, in possession, our press, our energy, was everything I wanted to see and that makes it even more of a bitter pill to swallow that we haven't won the game.”
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