Chelsea's 'ambition' delights boss Guus Hiddink after Old Trafford stalemate
Tuesday 29 December 2015 11:15, UK
Interim Chelsea head coach Guus Hiddink was happy with his side's display in their goalless draw with Manchester United at Old Trafford on Monday.
United may have been the better of the two teams, hitting both the crossbar and the post in the first half, before Thibaut Courtois produced a sensational point-blank stop to deny Ander Herrera after the beak.
However, the Premier League champions had their chances too, with United goalkeeper David de Gea saving well from John Terry, Cesar Azpilicueta and Pedro to keep the visitors at bay.
Meanwhile, Nemanja Matic also wasted a wonderful opening when played clean through on goal after half-time, only for the Serbia holding midfielder to blaze high over the bar.
And given that Chelsea were without suspended striker Diego Costa, as well as injured forwards Loic Remy and Radamel Falcao, Hiddink thought a point away from home was a good result for the visitors.
"Everyone knows we have some problems in our striker's position due to suspension and injuries," said Hiddink, who has still only lost one game in his two spells in charge of the west London club, after the game.
"We have not won, but now we are three games [unbeaten] and that is important.
"The team knows what to do, especially tactically it was OK, defensively well organised. We did not have the full, full power to hurt. But what I think is important now is that everyone is convinced to give his best for the team.
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"And that is what I like to see. I think it is normal to see the character of the players, the desire, but I think they showed a lot of ambition in the last three games and that is what we are asking.
"And then automatically when everyone is on board, hopefully we can use the quality of the players as well."
The draw saw Chelsea move up to 14th in the table, three points clear of Newcastle United in the relegation zone at the halfway point of the season.
