Manchester United vs. Chelsea: Score, Grades, Reaction from Premier League Game

Manchester United 1-1 Chelsea

Robin van Persie rescued a point for Manchester United in the fourth minute of injury time to deny Chelsea a valuable Premier League victory at Old Trafford.

Veteran striker Didier Drogba, who filled in for the injured Diego Costa, looked to have claimed the win for the Blues with his 53rd-minute glancing header from a Cesc Fabregas corner.

But after Branislav Ivanovic was dismissed in the dying seconds of the match, Angel Di Maria's subsequent free-kick eventually found its way to Van Persie, who fired home a late equaliser to deny Jose Mourinho's team a six-point lead at the top of the Premier League.

While the game had been a frantic affair, there were few other notable chances on goal, although Thibaut Courtois had proved to be the difference in the opening period with some alert goalkeeping.

There was a distinct shortage of strikers at Old Trafford, with Radamel Falcao and Wayne Rooney ruled out for United, while Costa and Loic Remy missed out for Chelsea.

Drogba took up the mantle for the Stamford Bridge club, while Marouane Fellaini started for the home side, who were also without defender Phil Jones.

The match had been set up as the meeting between Louis van Gaal and Jose Mourinho, and both men were warm in their greetings for each other before the game.

Chelsea captain John Terry also had reason to celebrate. He overtook Frank Lampard as the club's leader in Premier League appearances.

There was an early chance for Angel Di Maria after a great ball from Juan Mata, but the Argentina international got under the ball and his volley flew over.

The opening stages had been a pacey affair but one with little trouble for David de Gea and Thibaut Courtois in the respective goals.

United defender Rafael found himself cautioned in the 12th minute for a foul on Eden Hazard.

Chelsea were just edging the contest after 15 minutes, but United were swift to close down any potential threat in the opening stages.

Drogba received a caution for preventing Mata from building an attack, and Courtois was quick off his line to block Van Persie's effort in the 23rd minute.

Di Maria and Nemanja Matic needed treatment after a 29th-minute collision, but both were back on their feet to carry on.

Willian broke clear for Chelsea in the 34th minute, but Chris Smalling spotted the danger and blocked off the Brazilian's path to goal.

Chelsea claimed a penalty when Ivanovic appeared to have been hauled down by Smalling, but referee Phil Dowd dismissed the appeals. However, Terry appeared to be taken to ground by Marcos Rojo at the same time, which also went unpunished by the official.

Four minutes before the interval, De Gea produced a fine block with his feet to deny Drogba, who had hit Oscar's pass with precision but not power.

Adnan Januzaj looked dangerous throughout the first period and he forced Ivanovic into a foul on the left-hand side of the area in the 43rd minute. But Mata fired well over from Di Maria's clever set-piece. 

A scramble inside the area almost set up Fellaini on the edge of the box in the 51st minute, but the Belgian's effort drifted wide.

Seconds later, De Gea was the hero when he denied Hazard after a great one-two with Drogba. But the United goalkeeper could do nothing about the subsequent Fabregas corner as the former Ivory Coast international flicked home a header at the near post.

The momentum was now with Chelsea and De Gea had to make another smart stop from Willian's drive after a through ball from Filipe Luis.

Oscar became the next player in the book for hacking down Rojo inside the United half.

In the 67th minute, Mourinho switched Oscar out for John Obi Mikel, while James Wilson came on for United in place of Mata, who had failed to make an impact on the match.

Ivanovic almost added a second for Chelsea when he broke into the right channel and flashed a shot across De Gea's goal.

Courtois was called into action in the 78th minute after Luke Shaw set up Van Persie from a tight angle, and the Belgian saved well with his feet.

The Blues were sitting back, though, and the slender one-goal lead was under threat if United could find a cutting edge. 

Chelsea's day appeared to be marred by Ivanovic's dismissal for a second yellow card in injury time, but the subsequent free-kick brought worse for the visitors.

Di Maria crossed from the set piece, and Fellaini headed goalwards from eight yards. Courtois saved but could only push the ball into the path of Van Persie, who slammed home the equaliser in the fourth minute of injury time.

Selected player ratings

Adnan Januzaj: A-

The one bright spot under David Moyes last season was shining again for Van Gaal after an impressive first period in which he was constantly looking for the right ball to team-mates. He tailed off in the second period as Chelsea pressed.

Thibaut Courtois: A+

Proved to be the difference between the two sides in the first half, denying Van Persie and United on more than one occasion.

Marouane Fellaini: A-

After his fine display as a substitute at West Brom on Monday, the midfielder was given a man-marking role on Cesc Fabregas and he responded with a solid first half, shackling the Spaniard. Fabregas was again a relative spectator in the second half in open play.

Didier Drogba: A+

An excellent first-half display with the veteran striker forging a lone role up front but always looking for the opportunity. He thoroughly deserved his goal for the work he had put in during the game.

What's ahead

United have a full week off ahead of Louis van Gaal's first taste of the Manchester derby when they travel to face Manchester City in the Premier League next Sunday.

Chelsea face the intriguing prospect of a Capital One Cup fourth-round tie at Shrewsbury Town on Tuesday.

Post-match reaction