Manchester United had Casemiro to thank after the Brazilian rescued them a point with an injury-time header in a dramatic match against Chelsea.
United looked to have thrown away all their hard work when Scott McTominay hauled down Armando Broja to concede a penalty in the 87th minute. Jorginho tucked it away coolly, but the good times didn't last for Chelsea.
With time ticking away, Casemiro leapt to United's aid, heading in via Kepa Arrizabalaga's glove and the inside of the post to send the away end into raptures in the 94th minute. Chelsea remain unbeaten under Graham Potter, but the late goal took the wind out of their sails.
In truth it was a fair point, with United much the better side for the majority of the game. Marcus Rashford and Antony both spurned great chances in the first half before Chelsea grew into the contest.
Here Mirror Football takes you through the winners and losers from an engaging contest at Stamford Bridge.
WINNERS
Casemiro
Where else to start? The Brazilian was one of the best players throughout the game. The scrappy nature of the match was partly due to Casemiro, who was exceptional in the middle of the pitch, breaking up play with regularity.
But it was all about his header in injury-time. Casemiro was always an underrated impact player for Real Madrid in the opposition’s box – and his effort here reminded us why. The summer signing climbed highest and just beat Kepa with his looping effort.
The scenes in front of the away end as he screamed and smashed his chest shows what it meant and United will be delighted with his impact. Rio Ferdinand was certainly delighted, having frequently talked up the midfielder's quality this season.
He was quick to jump on Twitter after the final whistle, writing: "Where’s all the headlines saying Casemiro ain’t good enough for the Prem" alongside some laughing emojis. Point proven.
Graham Potter
The first 30 minutes of this match were all about United. They dominated the ball, didn’t allow Chelsea out of their own half and suffocated them with a high press.
But to his credit Potter did not let that pattern of play continue. After consulting his coaches, he turned to his bench and signalled for Mateo Kovacic to get ready. Marc Cucurella was taken off as Potter moved from back three to a 4-3-3 formation. It made an immediate effect, with Kovacic helping even up the numbers in midfield. Chelsea got a foothold in the game and were much improved from then on.
Casemiro's late header changed everything but Potter remains unbeaten as Chelsea boss.
Diogo Dalot
It’s not that long ago that United had a void at right-back. Aaron Wan-Bissaka was the man in possession, but really only because there was little serious competition. Now Dalot is nailed on as Ten Hag’s first choice in the position – and it is performances like this that remind you why.
The Portuguese is strong in the air, positionally aware and, now, pretty dependable when it matters. Sterling and Chilwell got little change out of him in a combative, scrappy game which seemed to suit him down to the ground.
LOSERS
Marc Cucurella
It took just 36 minutes for Potter to have seen enough and decide things weren’t working. Cucurella, who had been playing on the left of a back three was sacrificed in order to gain more of a foothold in midfield.
On came Mateo Kovacic as Potter shifted formation to give Chelsea a back four and send Mount inside as a false nine, with Aubameyang on the left and Sterling right, Cucurella is very much one of Potter’s favourites, having come to the Blues from Brighton, but he may prove to be a victim of his versatility, with Ben Chilwell preferred in his more natural left-back or left wing-back position.,
Jadon Sancho
Much like Cucurella, Sancho was a victim of circumstance, with Erik ten Hag sacrificing the winger in order to bring on Fred and match up Chelsea in the middle of the park.
But in truth the England winger can have no complaints with the decision. He was a peripheral figure at best in the first half and did little to push his case for inclusion in England’s final squad for the World Cup next month.
Three goals and one assist so far this season shows a player still not quite hitting the heights expected of a £71million player.
Raphael Varane
We will have to wait and see the extent of the injury which forced Varane off the pitch in the second half. The United centre-back appeared to far his knee while stretching for a ball against Aubameyang and he was visibly upset as he refused the stretcher to limp around the pitch to a chorus of abuse from the home fans.
After a few words from Ten Hag, Varane went straight down the Stamford Bridge tunnel. With the World Cup on the horizon, just a month away, it is safe to assume that Varane is concerned about his involvement with France in Qatar.
Scott McTominay
McTominay had only been on the pitch six minutes when he gave away the penalty. United fans may think it was soft – Broja went to the ground easily – but it was still a penalty.
McTominay gave referee Stuart Attwell a reason to point to the spot and after United had worked so hard, battled and gone toe-to-toe with Chelsea for the vast majority of the match, it was a real kick in the teeth. Luckily for him, Casemiro got to the ball just before him to rescue a point.
