Robin van Persie struck in the final minute of added time to give Manchester United a point against league leaders Chelsea.
He pounced as Thibault Courtois parried Marouane Fellaini’s header, firing home the rebound to secure the point.
It all stemmed from a free-kick conceded by Branislav Ivanovic by the left corner flag, fouling Angel Di Maria and picking up his second yellow card of the match.
Didier Drogba had given the visitors the lead in the 53rd minute, jumping high above his marker Rafael to meet a Cesc Fabregas corner firmly and with excellent direction.
An entertaining and swiftly-paced first half had seen chances at both ends. Angel Di Maria had probably the best of them, with two opportunities at close range for volleys that he struggled to time.Adnan Januzaj was a constant threat, with one exceptional run down the left wing resulting in a blazing shot just over the bar.
For Chelsea, Eden Hazard was lively, forcing Rafael into a foul in the opening ten minutes which resulted in a caution and the necessity to take greater care for the remainder of the match.
Courtois in the Chelsea goal was assertive, quick off his line to challenge on the ground, and happy to claim in the air as well.
Both sides also felt that they should have been awarded penalties – Ivanovic involved both times, hauled down by Chris Smalling at one end, and then clipping Januzaj at the other right on the edge of the box.
Manchester United's Robin van Persie celebrates after scoring during their English Premier League soccer match …
KEY MOMENTS
4’ CHANCE! A scramble in the box! And then Di Maria volleys over, unmarked at the far post.
9’ CHANCE! Another wild volley from Di Maria, nearer to the corner flag than the goal.
23’ GREAT SAVE! Courtois does well to come off his line briskly to block Van Persie's shot and then launch another counter-attack.
42’ CLOSE! Januzaj lets rip, flying in from the left and firing in from a tight angle, skidding over the top of the net.
53’ GOAL! United 0-1 Chelsea: And Drogba leaps for the Fabregas corner, heading it home, well above Rafael.
69’ CHANCE! Terrific run from Ivanovic, stepping in from the right, evading all-comers, and then shooting across the face of goal.
90’+4 GOAL! United 1-1 Chelsea: Well, well, well. Fellaini won the header from the corner which Courtois batted away, but Van Persie was there to fire it over the line.
KEY STATS
The last three league meetings between Manchester United and Chelsea at Old Trafford have all been goalless at half-time.
John Terry made his 430th Premier League appearance in this game for Chelsea, overtaking Frank Lampard's record for the club.
This was Didier Drogba’s first Premier League goal since March 2012.
Robin van Persie has now scored seven Premier League goals against Chelsea, but this was the first away from Stamford Bridge.
TALKING POINT
The inconsistency of referees has to be assessed. After last weekend’s penalty in Stoke v Swansea for wrestling in the area, today Phil Dowd didn’t bat an eyelid at such japery.
MAN OF THE MATCH
Thibault Courtois (Chelsea) - Tough not to give it to the Belgian keeper, who was exceptional.
PLAYER RATINGS
MAN UTD: De Gea 8, Rafael 7, Smalling 7, Rojo 7, Shaw 8, Blind 6, Fellaini 8, Mata 7, Januzaj 8, Di Maria 7, Van Persie 7. Subs: Lindegaard, Blackett, Fletcher, Carrick, Herrera, A.Pereira, Wilson 7.
CHELSEA: Courtois 9, Ivanovic 7, Cahill 7, Terry 7, Filipe Luis 7, Fabregas 7, Matic 7, Willian 7, Oscar 7, Hazard 8, Drogba 8. Subs: Cech, Zouma 6, Ake, Mikel 7, Baker, Salah, Schurrle 6.
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