Robin to the rescue

MANCHESTER United striker Robin van Persie was labelled “stupid” by his manager Louis van Gaal after taking off his shirt while celebrating his last–gasp equaliser against Chelsea.

Van Persie secured a 1–1 draw for his side by scoring in the fourth minute of injury time.

Lost in the moment, he whipped off his shirt and flung it in the air - earning a booking from referee Phil Dowd and a ticking off from Van Gaal.

“He did a stupid reaction after the goal,” Van Gaal said. “You can be excited but you don’t have to pull your shirt off because then you have a yellow card. It is not so smart.”

Van Gaal’s counterpart Jose Mourinho was also unhappy post–match with someone in particular — Dowd.

That much was clear, despite the Chelsea manager insisting he had no comment to make about the official as he did his best to avoid getting into trouble with the Football Association.

The visitors had a penalty appeal turned down in the first half when Chris Smalling tussled with Branislav Ivanovic.

After Didier Drogba’s 53rd–minute header had put Chelsea in front, they were denied victory when Ivanovic received his second booking of the game for a foul on Angel di Maria and the resulting free–kick came to Van Persie, who fired in.

Chelsea received a total of seven bookings in the game. Asked about Dowd, Mourinho — whose team are now four points clear at the top of the Premier League — refused to comment.

United boss Louis van Gaal was in no doubt the award of the free–kick that led to his side’s goal was fair.

The Dutchman said: “Ivanovic kicked him twice. Maybe the first time questions can be asked, but the second time, no.”

Van Gaal also hailed the fighting spirit his team had shown to grab a late equaliser for a second successive game.

Asked if he thought the point was deserved, Van Gaal said: “Yes — you know that also, and Jose Mourinho knows that also. We created a lot of chances, much more than Chelsea.”