MOURINHO IN TOUHLINE BUST-UP AS CHELSEA FORCE MAN.UNITED TO A DRAW

Manchester
United manager Jose Mourinho was involved in a furious touchline bust-up after
Ross Barkley's 96th-minute equaliser rescued Chelsea's unbeaten Premier League
start at Stamford Bridge.
Mourinho's
side looked on course for an outstanding win over his former club after two
goals from Anthony Martial overturned the first-half lead given to the hosts by
Antonio Rudiger's 21st-minute header.
He bowed his
head in disappointment as Barkley scored in the dying seconds after a goalmouth
scramble, but then reacted angrily as Chelsea technical assistant Marco Ianni
celebrated in front of him before then pumping his fists in Mourinho's
direction again.
The
Portuguese jumped from his seat and was then held back by a mixture of stewards
and Manchester United staff as he attempted to get down the tunnel at Ianni.
It was a
dramatic conclusion as Mourinho saw victory snatched away after he had replied
to the taunts of Chelsea fans by holding up three fingers to remind them of the
three Premier League titles he won while in charge at Stamford Bridge.
The Blues
looked in control when Rudiger took advantage of Paul Pogba's poor marking to
head home Willian's corner, but United responded superbly after the break and
Martial's double - a smart, swivelling finish and a composed, low effort - put
the visitors on the brink of three points until that frantic finale.
Mourinho
kept his emotions in check for most of the afternoon as returned again to the
club where enjoyed success still under pressure at Manchester United - but then
it all boiled over in that super-charged finish.
He allowed
himself a celebratory fist-pump when Martial drove in United's second goal. It
was low-key and would have gone pretty much unnoticed had it not been caught on
the television cameras.
It was then,
as the clock ticked down, that Mourinho's body language became animated and his
emotions bubbled to the surface, concluding in that chaotic confrontation by
the tunnel entrance as he felt Chelsea technical staff member Ianni overdid the
celebrations of Barkley's late leveller.
The
manager's temperature was rising even before then as United protected the lead
that could have given them a crucial win, with the added delight for Mourinho
of achieving it at Stamford Bridge, where he won those three titles. No matter
how calm he tried to remain, you could see how much this meant to him.
When
goalscorer Martial chased back towards the halfway line to close down a Chelsea
player, Mourinho was jumping out of his seat in the technical area - first to
urge the France forward on to greater efforts to win the ball, then with an
extravagant fist-pump, applause and even an advance onto the pitch to slap him
on the back for completing his task.
Mourinho's
understandable anguish as Barkley celebrated his equaliser was not helped by
what he clearly saw as gloating from the Chelsea backroom member, and he was
only persuaded to let the matter rest after being calmed down by stewards and
his staff.
The
Portuguese decided to have the last word with that three-fingered gesture
towards Chelsea fans - but victory would have been a much sweeter response.
Martial has
often cut a discontended figure at Manchester United this season - and his
relationship with Mourinho has been the subject of much debate.
The
22-year-old France forward has been marginalised on occasions this season, but
has now proved his worth and quality in successive games.
Martial's
snapshot finish played its part in the comeback from two goals down to beat
Newcastle United before the international break, and on Saturday at Stamford
Bridge he was the spearhead for United's revival after Chelsea controlled the
first half.
He equalised
with a finish of superb technique on the turn, then coolly completed good work
by Juan Mata and Marcus Rashford by steering a low shot into the bottom corner.
Martial was
also willing to do the dirty work and was rewarded with a warm embrace and
words from his manager that brought a smile to his face when he was
substituted.
United's
hierarchy clearly see Martial as a key element of their future and hope he will
commit to a long-term contract. Mourinho will certainly be grateful for his
contribution in the past two games.
Chelsea's
wild celebrations after Barkley scrambled home their equaliser demonstrated the
importance of keeping their unbeaten league start going against one of their
close rivals.
Maurizio
Sarri's side had been the victim of Daniel Sturridge's late equaliser when
Liverpool took a point here - but were grateful for something similar of their
own this time, with Barkley on hand to smash home after David Luiz's header hit
a post and David de Gea saved brilliantly from Rudiger.
Chelsea boss
Sarri will surely be concerned about how his side lost the control they enjoyed
in the first half, when they were untroubled by United, but he must be
delighted they were still battling and pushing so deep into six minutes of
stoppage time to rescue what could be an important point.
The Blues
have shown they are willing to scrap as well as turn on the style - and it was
enough to ensure they are yet to suffer a league loss this season.
Chelsea boss
Maurizio Sarri to BBC Sport: "We have played very well in the first
hour but then we have played the match of United - a physical match, and United
are better than us in a physical match. I am disappointed with the last 30
minutes. We could win but at the end one point is enough.
"We
were not organised for the long ball, we usually play with short passes so we
were not organised for this in the last half hour. This is not our football. I
prefer to play our football for 90 minutes.
"I
didn't see what happened but I have spoken to Jose Mourinho. I understood that
we were on the wrong side of the situation. I have spoken to a member of my
staff and have dealt with this immediately."
Manchester
United manager Jose Mourinho to BBC Sport: "A fantastic match, a very
undeserved result for us but that is football. We were the best team, even in
the first half when we were losing.
"We
were in control, tactically - the result is really unfair for us. We conceded
from two set-pieces, but that is a way to score goals and you have to be able
to defend against that.
"Anthony
Martial is improving, he is doing different things than before. He is a more
complete player than before - but he needs to improve. He has a huge talent and
he wants it, which is a good thing. The team as a team was really good."
"It is
not my reaction, it is Sarri's assistant. He was very impolite but Sarri took
care of the situation. They have both apologised to me. I accept. For me, the
story is over.
"Don't
do what everyone does and say: 'It's Mourinho who does things.' I don't know
his name, I don't need to know. Everything is fine."
FROM bbc.com/sport/football
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