In a game both sides desperately needed to win, two English Premier League giants played to a scoreless draw.
Manchester United’s winless streak extended to eight games on Monday against a Chelsea side which has looked below-average itself throughout the 2015-16 campaign.
David De Gea and Thibaut Courtois produced a couple of spectacular saves on the afternoon at Old Trafford, while neither side could find a breakthrough. Man United came the closest to scoring on a few different occasions, including a Juan Mata shot that pinged off the crossbar.
The tie puts enormous pressure on Red Devils boss Louis Van Gaal, who recently stated that he was thinking about resigning due to the team’s poor results.
Meanwhile, Chelsea is now three points clear of the relegation zone after achieving Monday’s point on the road.
Here are some more news and notes from Monday:
REAL MADRID OFFICIALLY EXPELLED FROM COPA DEL REY
The verdict’s in, and Real Madrid is officially out of the Copa del Rey.
Real Madrid was booted from the Spanish tournament after Denis Cheryshev played in the club’s 3-1 win during the first leg of the Round of 32 series. Cheryshev should have been serving a one-game suspension, but head coach Rafael Benitez fielded him anyway and Real’s opponent, Cadiz, subsequently complained after the game.
Real Madrid appealed the ban, but on Monday, the Administrative Court of Sport dismissed the team’s attempt.
“The club respects but does not agree with the Court’s ruling and as such announces its decision to pursue a judicial-administrative course of action, along with other possible legal options, which are currently being studied,” a statement from the club said.
SHAQIRI SHINES AS STOKE WINS WILD AFFAIR VS. EVERTON
Marko Arnautovic’s late penalty may have sealed the win for Stoke City on Monday, but Xherdan Shaqiri’s play was nothing short of special.
The Swiss international scored a first-half brace, including a superb chip over Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard, to lead Stoke to a wild 4-3 win in the English Premier League.
Romelu Lukaku scored two of his own at Goodison Park, and Gerard Deulofeu gave the Toffees the lead with less than 20 minutes of regular time to play. However, the game was far from over, as Joselu volleyed in the game-tying goal before Arnautovic blasted in the fourth and final goal for Stoke.
Stoke now has 29 points through 19 games, good enough for eighth on the EPL table. Everton has 26 points.
Here are the other results from around the EPL:
Crystal Palace 0 – 0 Swansea City
Norwich City 2 – 0 Aston Villa
Watford 1 – 2 Tottenham
West Bromwich Albion 1 – 0 Newcastle United
West Ham United 2 – 1 Southampton
Arsenal 2 – 0 AFC Bournemouth
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What did you think of today’s EPL action? Think Real Madrid’s ban from Copa del Rey is justified?
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