Manchester United 1-1 Chelsea: Late goal from Van Persie denies Chelsea a win at Old Trafford

Manchester United's Dutch striker Robin van Persie celebrates after scoring his late equalising during the English Premier League football match between Manchester United and Chelsea

Robin van Persie scored late in the injury time to deny Chelsea all three points against Manchester United at Old Trafford. Chelsea drop points only for the second time in this Premier League campaign when the home side made the most of a Di Maria set-piece.

In a game where referee Phil Dowd was happy to show a card for almost every foul in the game, Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic was shown a red just before the equaliser from the home side.

Earlier in the game, Chelsea’s old warhorse Didier Drogba – who replaced the injured Diego Costa tonight - scored a sensational header from a Cesc Fabregas corner.

While both the side enjoyed a fair share of possession, it was the away side who looked more dangerous going forward.

Manchester United had major setback with Falcao and Phil Jones ruled out with injuries. However, the defensive pairing of Marcos Rojo and Chris Smalling put up a discipling performance to keep the home side in the contest.

The best chances for the home side came to Robin van Persie on both side of the half-time only to be denied by Chelsea goalkeerper Thibaut Courtois. The keeper was later adjudged as the Man of the Match for some spectacular saves throughout the game.

For the away side, Eden Hazard missed a one-on-one against David de Gea in the second half that could have secured all three points for Jose Mourinho’s side.

Louis van Gaal decided to start with Marouane Fellaini ahead of Ander Herrera in the midfield to deal with the dominant Chelsea midfield duo of Nemajia Matic and Cesc Fabregas, The move from the Dutchman turned out to be a masterstroke as Fabregas could find little space to combine with Chelsea attackers.

Angel Di Maria on the other hand struggled throughout the game to make an impact as Felipe Luis put in a top shift as a replacement of Cesar Azpilicueta.

All and all, credit goes to Van Gaal in organising United for the toughest task they have faced so far this season. Mourinho will look back at the red card decision and feel hard done by the refereeing the the game where his side deserved to take all three points back to Stamford Bridge.