Sports Man Utd 1-1 Chelsea: Van Persie's late goal denies Chelsea a win at Old Trafford

Manchester United and Chelsea settled for a 1-1 draw in a thrilling a encounter between both teams at Old Trafford.

Coach Louis Van Gaal's team left it very late, scoring a stoppage time equaliser to deny Chelsea from taking all three points in the game.

Much of the game's build-up was centred on the team sheets both sides would file out for the match and it did live up to the surprises.

Radamel Falcao and Phil Jones were both ruled out before the game for United, and so was Chelsea's highest goalscorer in the league, Diego Costa.

But the game didn't disappoint in excitement as both teams put up a good spectacle for viewers.

The game started in lightning pace with Chelsea straight off the blocks attacking right away, however United settled in and took control.

United were dominant and moved swiftly each time they were on the prowl looking to get behind Chelsea's rearguard.

Maroune Felliani didn't apply a quality technique to his back-heeled chance after Robin Van Persie's shot fell to his path.

It was all United and Van Persie had a real chance of opening the scores,with Adnan Januzaj playing a perfect through ball to the Dutch man, but Chelsea's goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois made himself big and repelled the danger.

United had a couple of chances that they didn't put away in the first half but the first shot Chelsea had on goal came to Didier Drogba,and the Ivorian forced David De Gea to good save after drilling a shot from Oscar's cutback.

Angel Di Maria was a bit off-key for United, failing to get behind Chelsea's fullbacks and running the rule for his team.

But Eden Hazard looked dangerous,and it was his dashing run that led to the first goal.

The Belgian made a penetrating run and was through on goal but De Gea made a good save forcing a corner kick.

And it was from that corner that Chelsea scored, Drogba towered high to head the ball past Van Persie who had a touch of the ball before it beat De Gea to enter the net.

The goal was Drogba's only second in 12 Premier League appearances against Manchester United.

United were there for the taking by Chelsea: Hazard and Branislav Ivanovic coming close, but Mourinho rather opted for a defensive approach, throwing on John Obi Mikel.

However the defining moment of the game came in stoppage time time when Ivanovic was sent off for two bookable offence.

The Serb appeared to have clipped Di Maria,and referee Phil Dowd issued him a second yellow that reduced Chelsea to ten men.

United found respite from the resultant free-kick, Fellaini heading the ball towards goal which Courtois saved, but Van Persie bundled in the rebound to steal the point for his side.

Probably it was a fair result over the 90 minutes, with both teams taking control of each half.

Although Chelsea would feel like the lost the game, considering when they conceded the goal, however United would feel like they won it and it might be the confidence booster that Van Gaal's team needs.

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Photo Credit: Wikipedia
 
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