Manchester United playmaker Juan Mata feels the team are slowing growing in confidence despite conceding a late equaliser at Stamford Bridge in a 1-1 draw with Chelsea.

In an entertaining game of football, Manchester United started the proceedings strongly and Anthony Martial made sure that Thibaut Courtois was at his best to keep the visitors at bay in the first 30 minutes. Chelsea clawed their way back into the game in the last ten minutes of the first half and looked the stronger side going into the break.




Manchester United again came out flying in the second half and Courtois was again required to be at the top of his game to keep Louis van Gaal’s men at bay, but a sumptuous strike from Jesse Lingard at the hour mark to give the lead to the visitors. However, after conceding the goal the home side came into life and put immense pressure on the visitors in the final quarter of the game.

The Red Devils looked to be on their way to a win at Stamford Bridge, but Diego Costa chipped in with a goal in stoppage time to level the scores and could have won the game had David de Gea not been at his peak towards the end when the Spaniard saved a low show from his compatriot.
 


Mata stressed that Manchester United did well to play some good football in west London, but admits that they gave way to Chelsea’s late pressure to drop two vital points in the race for a top four finish.

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However, he insisted the quality of their football means that the team are getting more confidence and they have been playing especially well in the last few weeks.

The playmaker told Sky Sports: "We played very good football. Coming to Stamford Bridge and playing the football we did, we had it so close but Chelsea always try to push and they scored a late goal.

"When you win and play good football confidence comes back. We try our best in every game and in the last three or four I thought we played really well."

Despite the entertaining brand of football, Manchester United dropped two points at Stamford Bridge and are now six points off the top four race with 13 games left to play this season.