FA awaits report on Stamford Bridge fracas

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The Football Association is awaiting the referee’s report before deciding whether any further action is warranted over the unsavoury scenes on the touchline at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho took exception to the way Chelsea coach Marco Ianni celebrated Ross Barkley’s late equaliser, prompting a melee around the tunnel.

The Portuguese received an apology from Ianni and Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri and said he considers the matter closed, but it remains to be seen whether the FA opts to take further action over the incident.

Anthony Martial’s second-half double looked set to earn United all three points until Barkley’s intervention deep into stoppage time.

For the second match running United had come from behind to lead, and Ashley Young has now called for the Red Devils to start matches the way they have been finishing them of late.

Young, who received praise for how he limited the influence of Chelsea playmaker Eden Hazard, told MUTV: “We have to look at the positives, I think we deserved to win it – we got on top.

“That is what we have to do, go into the game and look to start on more of a front foot, especially at home.

MUTV: Young post-match

Ashley Young delivers his verdict on today’s result, and gives Anthony Martial’s efforts a glowing assessment…

Posted by Manchester United on Saturday, October 20, 2018

“We are gutted. When you get yourself back into the game, not just back in the game but you are winning and concede with a minute to go, I’m still baffled where the referee got six minutes (of stoppage time) from.”

Young also singled out Martial for praise.

Anthony Martial celebrates his equaliser against Chelsea
Anthony Martial scores the equaliser against Chelsea (Adam Davy/PA)

“To be honest I’m not sure why he isn’t in the France squad. I see him day in and day out, he is some talent.

“He is unbelievable and shows that finishing in training, he is a fantastic player, he got the goals. But it wasn’t just him, every player on the pitch was fantastic.”

Chelsea, who remain unbeaten under Sarri as a result of Barkley’s late leveller, had gone ahead as Antonio Rudiger evaded Paul Pogba on a corner to power a free header past David De Gea.

Unlike Young, Rudiger was happy to take a share of the spoils after he felt “silly mistakes” almost cost the hosts dear.

‘We can be happy with this point because we nearly lost and we are still undefeated,” he said.

“In the second half we dropped more, we let them have more possession and we made some silly mistakes so they got some counter-attacks.

“They are a strong team, physically very strong. We need to learn to kill matches, but scoring late so often shows our mentality. We don’t give up, and also at the moment we have luck.”

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