Wayne Rooney scored on two second-half penalties and Javier Hernandez netted the equalizing goal with just minutes remaining to give Manchester United a 3-3 draw with Chelsea.
Here are three thoughts on the game:
Fernando Torres is still a man of mystery
Fernando Torres's struggles have been well-documented since the 2010 World Cup, but there have been occasions this season when it has seemed as though he was poised to break out of his slump. His cross to Juan Mata for one of Chelsea's goals was as brilliant as they come, and it was a reminder of how much skill Torres still has.
However, I believe that it's more his confidence than his skill that has diminished. Three years ago, Torres would have finished a goal-scoring opportunity like he had late in the game on Sunday. His Chelsea teammates got him the ball with plenty of space in the Manchester United penalty box, but instead of shooting for the game-winning goal, he backed off as the Red Devils' backline caught up to him. The Fernando Torres I remember would have smashed that ball into the back of the net. Unfortunately, I think that Torres is gone for good; he just doesn't have the confidence to play like he used to.
Penalty shots
I don't want to hear any complaints about referee Howard Webb or the penalty shots given to the Red Devils in the second half. The early non-call on Gary Cahill should have been a red card. If anyone wants to argue that point, then please go back and watch the footage. United forward Danny Welbeck was through on goal, and Cahill took him down. It should have been a red card.
The first penalty shot awarded to the Red Devils was a clear foul on Chelsea's defender Daniel Sturridge, but the second one isn't as certain. The replay shows Welbeck with his foot out as Chelsea's Branislav Ivanovic made contact with him, and I admit it appears a little shaky. Still, if Sturridge and Ivanovic played stronger defense in the penalty box, then these fouls wouldn't have happened.
Some Chelsea supporters are complaining about Webb because of the second penalty shot, but I think that's wrong. Webb didn't even call a foul on Cahill early in the game, let alone give the red card. It's amazing how quick some fans are to talk about favoritism from the referees, even when there's evidence that argues against their beliefs.
Man of the match
David De Gea has been getting torn apart by Manchester United supporters and the media since he joined the club last year. Much of the criticism he's faced has been well-earned, and I think De Gea is lucky to be off the bench at all, since fellow goalkeeper Anders Lindegaard is injured."
However, I also believe De Gea has plenty of potential, and if both the club and the fans support him, he'll develop into an elite goalkeeper. With the game tied at 3-3 and time running out, De Gea made one of the best saves I've seen in years, proving that he's more than capable of being the team's starter. Mata launched a free kick that was heading for the upper right hand corner of the goal, and De Gea somehow made the leaping save to knock it away. Minutes later, he made another outstanding stop on a powerful Cahill shot on goal.
With his late saves, De Gea won my man of the match award, and hopefully a reprieve from his critics.
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