Posted on February 5, 2012
LONDON — Chicharito is back.
For the second time in five days on Sunday,striker Javier Hernandez scored. However, this time, it was much more important and much more dramatic as the Mexican international’s four-yard header lifted Manchester United to a 3-3 comeback draw with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
Hernandez headed home a Ryan Giggs cross from the left side in the 84th minute after the Chelsea goalkeeper blocked Wayne Rooney’s header.
Second-place United remained within striking distance of city rival Manchester City in the English Premier League. MU trails MC (57 points) by two points with both sides having played 24 English Premier League matches. City, which registered a 3-0 win over Fulham on Saturday.
On Wednesday, Hernandez converted a penalty kick to give United its first goal in a 2-0 EPL victory over Stoke City.
On Sunday, the Blues cruised to a 3-0 lead by the 51st minute behind an own goal by Jonny Evans, Juan Mata’s left-footed volley and David Luiz’s head shot.
Early in the second half, United manager Sir Alex Ferguson brought on Chicharito for Ashley Young to added a little spark. He got that and then some.
“To be honest, I maybe should have played Chicharito from the start. When he came on, he just had them on toast really,” Ferguson said. “He really put them under pressure with his movement and positional play. Danny Welbeck has been terrific and he’s going to be a top player. But when Chicharito came on in the second half, it was a different game.”
ManU rallied behind a pair of penalty kicks by Rooney in the 58th and 69th minute to set up Hernandez’s late heroics.
The Blues played with injured captain and defender John Terry, midfielder Frank Lampard and the suspended Ashley Cole.
Regardless who was or wasn’t play, surrendering a three-goal lead in the second half at home, even if it was against the likes of United, can be considered nothing less than a disaster.
Photo: Javier Hernandez put the finishing touches on ManUnited’s 3-3 dramatic draw with Chelsea. Photo by Michael Stephens
Categories: Mexico, North America
Tags: Chelsea, Chicharito, English Premier League, Javier Hernandez, Manchester City, Manchester United, Ryan Giggs, Stoke City, Wayne Rooney
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