Blues denied by last-gasp Van Persie goal

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Manchester United 1 Chelsea 1

Robin van Persie’s injury-time equaliser denied Chelsea a victory which would have left them six points clear at the top of the Premier League.

Didier Drogba put them ahead seven minutes into the second half with a firm near-post header from Cesc Fabregas’ delivery that Van Persie on the line failed to stop.

But the Manchester United striker had the final word when he scored after Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic was sent off for a second bookable offence following a foul on Angel Di Maria.

Thibaut Courtois did brilliantly keep out Marouane Fellaini’s header from Di Maria’s free-kick but Van Persie was on hand to blast home.

Chelsea arrived at Old Trafford without top scorer Diego Costa, who was unable to play having struggled with illness and a hamstring problem.

With Loic Remy also sidelined, Drogba, 36, was needed to lead the line despite himself nursing an injury in recent weeks.

And the Blues hero responded with a goal reminiscent of his all-important equaliser in the Champions League final against Bayern Munich in 2012, when he famously went on to net the winning penalty in a shoot-out.

Drogba's goal looked to have given Chelsea all three points
Drogba’s goal looked to have given Chelsea all three points

It was Drogba’s second goal in as many matches – his penalty against Maribor in midweek was his first since he returned to Chelsea in the summer.

He had the visitors’ best opening of the first half but keeper David de Gea was down quickly to save his shot after Drogba had been set up by Oscar’s cut-back.

Jose Mourinho’s side also thought they should have been awarded a penalty seven minutes before the break when Ivanovic was wrestled to the ground by Chris Smalling.

At the other end, Courtois produced two good first-half stops.

Courtois was called into action in the 22nd minute, saving with his legs from Van Persie after the Dutchman had been set up by Adnan Januzaj’s fine pass.

The impressive keeper was also able to gather Di Maria’s looping header soon afterwards.

Chelsea made a lively start to the second half and De Gea came to United’s rescue again, denyng Eden Hazard after the Belgian’s clever one-two with Drogba.

But the resulting corner led to Drogba breaking the deadlock and another assist for Fabregas, who has been involved in nine of his team’s league goals this season, setting up eight and scoring the other himself.

Ivanovic almost doubled the lead with a low shot that flashed just wide of the far post.

United rarely looked like finding an equaliser before Van Persie hauled them level, although Januzaj sent a shot wide and youngster James Wilson headed over.

Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Courtois; Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Filipe Luis; Matic, Fabregas; Willian (Zouma 90) Oscar (Mikel 67), Hazard (Schurrle 90); Drogba.
Subs not used: Cech,  Ake, Baker, Salah.

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