Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel has said he was “very happy” with his side’s performance in their 1-1 Premier League draw with Manchester United on Sunday.
The Blues dominated the ball and conceded just three shots during the entire contest, while having over 20 themselves.
Despite this, they only came away with a point, largely due to Jorginho gifting United a goal with a poor first touch just after half time.
Speaking after the match, Tuchel insisted that he was happy with what he had seen from Chelsea.
“Happy with the performance. I saw huge effort, big intensity. We had so many ball recoveries in the opponent’s half. We put the pressure up high, we controlled the counter attacks before they started,” he told Sky Sports.
“We were brave and courageous. When they defend deep you need the first goal to gain the confidence to have follow-ups and goals and big chances.
“If you don’t score you always run a bit behind because you feel you are the stronger team, you play in the opponents’ half. We had two or three big chances that we should have used but in general, I am very happy.
“I was a bit surprised, because we had so many ball recoveries, that we did not make it from these ball wins to clearer chances.”
The game was likely United’s last before the arrival of interim manager Ralf Rangnick, whom Tuchel is familiar with from his time managing in the Bundesliga.
Many of his ideas were also influenced by the so-called ‘Rangnick school’, but the Chelsea boss was keen to point out that United are some way off expressing this on the pitch.
When asked whether the Red Devils played like a ‘Rangnick team’, Tuchel replied with a wry smile: “No, no, not at all.”
The draw means Chelsea remain top of the Premier League table, but Man City’s win over West Ham on Sunday means their lead is now just one point.
“We cannot be surprised that this happened. We played such good games against Burnley and Man Utd and feel disappointed because we think did by far enough and pushed the limits to win these games,” Tuchel continued.
“Over a long season you drop points and you dig in. And you try and steal them back when someone steals them from you.
“We’re in the middle of the race and this is where we want to be.”
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