Sky Sports Premier League Podcast
City inch closer to title whilst De Gea’s error gives Chelsea top four-edge
28 Apr 2019
Chapter 1: What were the key moments in Manchester City's win against Burnley?
But holding off, that's Filiqueta. Lukaku, who runs from shore, the pass is terrific. And Mata finds fast pace to slot the ball home. And Manchester United's good start has been rewarded with a goal. De Gea's fluffed it. Alonso has put it in. And David De Gea's made another howler.
And how costly will this one prove to be for Manchester United? They finished one apiece here at Old Trafford this afternoon. Seven attempts from Manchester United. They've only had fewer in games against Liverpool and Manchester City this season. Chelsea, 16 attempts, three on target. But that 16 is more than they had away to any other top six side this season. So where does that leave us?
Well, Manchester City and Liverpool have won again at the top of the table, just one point between them, and not one victory between those four sides who are chasing a top-four finish. Spurs beaten yesterday on 70, Chelsea drawing here on 68, Arsenal now two behind, having lost 3-0 at Leicester today, and Manchester United with it all to do, three points behind Chelsea after that point here.
We can hear from Eden Hazard, he's been talking to Patrick Davison.
Aden, overall, good day for Chelsea? Yeah, good day, but it could be better. We came here and just think about winning the game. The draw is not a bad result for us, but I think if we believe a bit more in our chances, we could score another goal. But at the end, yes, it's a good result. Now we have two games, one at home and one away, so we'll try to be in the top four at the end.
Do you feel like you improved as the match went on? Yeah, we started a bit slowly. We conceded a goal, but today we had a reaction. So that's the good thing. We scored a goal. In the second half, I don't remember one chance for them, so we were just in control of the game for the first half. And yes, I think we just played a good game.
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Chapter 2: How did David De Gea's error impact Manchester United's draw with Chelsea?
That belief you talked about in your first answer, why is that not there? Is that because away from home, particularly against the big six teams, it has been difficult for you?
I don't know. I don't know. You know, play away is not the same than when you play at home, of course. But I think we have big players. We can handle it with the pressure. So we just need a bit of... Not motivation, but determination, I think, to score this goal that can maybe be the difference between a draw and a win. But like I said at the end, I think it's a fair result for us.
It was quite a physical game. Do you also think it was quite leniently refereed? I think the game was hard, but in a good sense. When you play against this kind of game, United, Chelsea, it's always tough. Football is a sport of contact, so I have no problem with that. I think the referee did a great game today. Yeah, I think that.
You're exhausted, I don't just mean today, but the number of games. Yeah, but it's not just this season, it's the last ten seasons. We are playing a lot of games and you know the Premier League is not easy. You need to fight all the games, 90 minutes if you want to win one game. So, yeah, it's hard, but... You know, we have everything, you know, physios and to work everywhere. So we'll do it.
Now we have two weeks to play and then it's a holiday.
You're very close to Champions League now. And I don't want to draw you too much into your own future. But how important is that? Whatever you do, you're playing in the Champions League next season for a player of your quality.
Chelsea first.
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Chapter 3: What are the implications of the top four race for Chelsea and Manchester United?
Chelsea has to play in the Champions League every year. It's one of the biggest clubs in the world. And for myself also, I want to play in the Champions League. But we will.
Well done. Thank you. Cheers, man.
I think what Hazard said is a fair reflection of the game. I think when you look at it, Man United better in the first half. And then Chelsea found a way to get back in there. Defending was better in the second half. And you could see they slowly got back into it. But overall, it came from a mistake how they got back into it. Hazard, on his standard, has had a really quiet game.
But that just sums Chelsea up.
Chapter 4: How did Eden Hazard assess Chelsea's performance against Manchester United?
If he's not firing, where else is anything going to come from? They have no creativity or anything around him or other than him. to go on to win a game. And I think that's a little bit of a frustration for him in that interview there as well.
They both look jaded in the end, Graham, but did they look the more likely winner as time went on?
Well, I thought it was a really good first half. United started really well, got the goal. Chelsea came into it a wee bit. I thought the second half, you know, with the mistake by... Man United goalkeeper that brought Chelsea right into the game. They started to believe then. The last five minutes of the game was really exciting, end-to-end stuff. I think a draw was a fair result.
I think, you know, you're making a point about Chelsea not doing well against the big teams. That's not a coincidence. They just haven't got the quality against the big teams. You know, come back to it, I think they're a near miss. I think they're lacking a... a goal scorer up front. I've been a fan of Higuain but I don't think this football is for him going forward.
I think our football is very demanding, you have to be powerful, strong, quick, athletic and it's the hardest place to play up front. I think he'll have to address that. Obviously the transfer ban is something How they address it, we'll have to wait and see.
And I think in midfield, if they're a goal-scoring midfield player, someone who got into the box more often, they'd be a very different team.
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Chapter 5: What tactical adjustments did Chelsea make in the second half?
But there's not a lot wrong with that Chelsea team. And I think Man Utd will be encouraged today because... We talk about formations and tactics all the time, but today Man United were like Man United of old. Early on, they were first to everything. They were aggressive. Got the crowd right on side in the first 10, 15 minutes, and they stayed with them.
And I think United will be encouraged by their first-half performance. But come back to the word quality, and that's what decides big games, Dave. Someone does something special at any given time. And on both sides, they're a wee bit short in the areas that really matter.
Well, they can be encouraged, Alex, but what about Manchester United's urgency? For them, they really had to win this game. For Chelsea, a point was probably enough.
And then in the first half they did. The way they were playing, the speed of the play, the runs off the ball, it was all there to go on for them to win the game. And ultimately what's lost them the three points is another mistake from the goalkeeper. And that's a huge decision now going forward for the last two games. Do you stick with him or do you change that?
Because that's cost you today once again. But you take him out of the team and you absolutely shatter your goalkeeper's confidence. But it's a huge call.
It is indeed for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Juan Mata, one of the five players that came into the side after the defeat against Manchester City in the week, and he's giving his reaction now to Patrick Davidson.
Juan, you've just had a few moments in that Manchester United dressing room. What's the mood?
No, we're disappointed. We obviously wanted to win. We needed to win. So we are disappointed because I think we did a good first half. We scored, we had another good chances.
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Chapter 6: How does Manchester United's performance reflect their season's struggles?
You know, it's difficult when you have the top four so close and then you have done an incredible job over the last months to get there. And, you know, we'll try until the end. But obviously we needed to win today because Chelsea is fighting with us for that position.
You made a really fast start to the match, which culminated in your goal. Was that down to the fact you knew how desperate the situation was for you today?
That's how we should start every game, to be honest. When we play at home, especially, we need to do what we did today, which is put the other team in trouble, press, have chances, bring the crowd with us. And I think we did very well today in the first half, especially.
What do you say to David De Gea after a moment like that? He's been so big for you, dug you out so many times.
You know, David is unquestionable for me. His level has been fantastic for this club. He's been the best player over the last years. The amount of points that he has saved us is incredible. So, yeah, we all have good and bad moments over our careers. But for me, the important thing is how to react. And he's determined to react positively, to do well. what he does best, which is being the best.
And, you know, I have 100% confidence in him and we all have. So, yeah, today, obviously, he's not happy. We are not happy. But tomorrow morning, he will come back to training with the best attitude as always. And the only thing I want to say is that his level for me is unquestionable.
As a friend, what can you do for him right now?
he's having obviously a tough time he knows i'm i'm here for him for everything and what i can do is give him my honest consideration about about the moment about the situation uh that he knows obviously he's disappointed with with that goal but after that giving confidence to him because I honestly believe he's one of the best in the world and there's no question about that.
As I said before, I make mistakes, everyone makes mistakes, but you are a goalkeeper and if you make a mistake, it's probably a goal. That's very difficult for them, but he's a strong mentality person and he will save, of course, many goals in the next games. Again, he's been the best for us and
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Chapter 7: What decisions does Ole Gunnar Solskjaer face regarding his squad?
You've said already you'll keep going, but is there the sense after today that the top four's gone?
Very difficult. We don't depend on us. We have to try to win the last two games and let's see what happens. But obviously we needed today three points, especially because it was Chelsea. Very good team, playing very good football, fighting with us for the top four, scoring before. It was a bit disappointing, the result, but we need to move on and try to finish the season the best we can.
Thank you for your time. Thank you.
Those last two against Huddersfield in Cardiff, did they deserve more today?
No, I think the draw was a fair reflection. First half, Man United was best that I've seen them in a while. The speed, the play, everything they had. But then they allowed Chelsea to get back into the game in the second half. Can you maybe look at it? Rashford going off, added to it. Sanchez came on, didn't really have an impact.
So it added a different dimension to their attack in the second half.
Still many questions over Manchester United. Gary Neville will rejoin us in just a moment. We get deeper into that and also into the race for the top four. We'll revisit the title race as well before we're done here tonight on Super Sunday. And we'll look back on these goals and that error from David De Gea, which has cost his side today. Do stay with us.
Chelsea have got a point here at Old Trafford today. Maurizio Sarri's side still very much have their fate in their own hands in the race for the top four, and he's giving his reaction to Patrick Davison.
Maurizio, first point for you away to a big six rival. Overall, are you satisfied today?
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Chapter 8: How does the title race between Manchester City and Liverpool stand?
Better in the second half.
Did you have, it looked like maybe at times two injured centre-halves, Rudiger went off, but David Luiz went down with a little problem?
No, I don't think so. The most serious problem is Rudiger, I think, for his knee. And then we have a problem with Willian for a knock. But I think that the most serious is Antonio. What did you make of the tackle that injured Willian? I don't know. Have you seen it back? The yellow card is... ..orange.
An orange card. You said before the game two wins means top four. What do you think now?
I think the same. I think the same. We need two wins. With two wins, we are sure. With four points, I don't know. It depends on the goal difference.
You've been under a lot of pressure at times this season. If you make top four and win the Europa League, it's a very good season, isn't it?
We played the final in the League Cup. We are fighting for the top four. We are in the semi-final of the Europa League. I think that we have done a good season. Now, of course, we need to take two very important targets.
Yeah, they are still fighting on two fronts. Gary Neville has rejoined us. Well, I said rejoined. It was about six hours since we saw you, Gary. Quite a lot of football we've seen since. Give us your Chelsea verdict.
I thought they grew in the game. I think the goal before half-time helped them a lot. Obviously, it always does. I thought Manchester United in the first half. I'm trying to think back, but I actually thought it was one of the best 40 minutes under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Full stop. Not just in this last couple of months, which it obviously was, but also even the first couple of months.
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