Manchester United stunned Chelsea to grab a point in the 94th minute thanks to Robin van Persie's last-gasp equalizer. The Dutch striker was able to get to a loose ball in the box after Chelsea failed to clear a corner kick and blasted it home, earning the Red Devils a dramatic 1-1 draw in front of an adoring crowd at Old Trafford.
3 things from Manchester United’s last gasp draw with Chelsea
Robin van Persie is the Manchester United hero, earning the Red Devils a shock draw.
The Red Devils were not overwhelmed by the Blues and played relatively well. They forced Thibaut Courtois to make a couple smart saves in the first half and had their share of chances. Chelsea didn't terrorize their back line either, challenging them and getting a few looks, but hardly dominating.
Chelsea's best chance came in an appeal to the referee, but Phil Down waved play on despite two Blues being grabbed and thrown to the ground on the same corner kick. It was an appalling decision, but Manchester United had escaped and Chelsea wouldn't get another look as good until the second half.
When the two teams went into halftime level, it was a pretty fair scoreline, but it would only last until the 53rd minute. That’s when Drogba got free at the near post and was able to redirect a corner kick on goal. Robin van Persie was defending the near post, but couldn’t block it and Drogba was the hero.
Chelsea could have gone 2-0 up when Eden Hazard was played in on goal, but his shot was a little too close to David De Gea, and the United keeper made an outstanding save to keep his team within one.
Manchester United had the majority of possession, but there weren’t many chances. Chelsea had put their men in defense, content to sit on their one-goal lead and it looked like it would work, but Branislav Ivanovic was sent off in the third minute of extra time and van Persie scored on the ensuing free kick to send the fans at Old Trafford wild.
Manchester United: De Gea, Rafael, Smalling, Rojo, Shaw, Blind, Fellaini, Januzaj, Mata (Wilson 67’), Di Maria, van Persie.
Goals: van Persie 90+4’.
Chelsea: Courtois, Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Filipe Luis, Matic, Fabregas, Willian (Zouma 90'), Oscar (Mikel 67'), Hazard (Scurrle 90'), Drogba.
Goals: Drogba 53’.
Red cards: Ivanovic 90+3’.
3 things
1. Fellaini is rediscovering his form — It's easy to forget that Marouane Fellaini was once a good player. That is how bad he has been since signing for Manchester United, but he played well after coming on against West Brom and may have been the Red Devils' best player against Chelsea. He's using his physicality wisely, positioning himself well and actually knows where he is kicking the ball. That doesn't make him brilliant, but it makes him a good player and the Manchester United midfield has been desperate for that.
2. Manchester United have an idea of what they're doing — Last year's Manchester United had no idea what was going on. They changed players, formations, tactics and the only constant was confusion. They looked no different at the beginning of this season, too, but that's not the case anymore. With Marouane Fellaini playing better and competent play from Daley Blind, they are no longer a disaster in the middle. With that, they have a core that they can build a team around and they have done just that. It ensures the match doesn't get away from them and they can maintain some sort of rhythm. That doesn't make them great and they're far from being title contenders, but they look like a real, functional team now with Louis van Gaal reverting to the four-man back line and getting solid play through the middle.
3. Chelsea's squad depth is incredible — Diego Costa and Loic Remy were hurt so Didier Drogba stepped in. Cesar Azpilicueta was suspended so in came Filipe Luis. Yes, they will be disappointed to have drawn, especially in the manner that they did, but they were hardly poor at Old Trafford. They didn't struggle with a few reserves and their depth will pay off come the middle of the season.
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