RVP late strike pegs back high-flying Chelsea
RVP grabs point for LVG
By Chris
December 19 2014
Robin van Persie grabbed a vital late equaliser as United snatched a point against table-topping Chelsea amid dramatic closing scenes at Old Trafford.
Didier Drogba had given the visitors the lead after 53 minutes, taking advantage of slack marking by powering home to break the deadlock.
The opening goal followed a frantic first-half in which both teams threatened, with RVP and Drogba having two of the better opportunities.
Drogba's first Premier League strike since his Chelsea returned looked set to be decisive, before a dogged United wrestled a share of the spoils at the death.
As United threatened in stoppage time, Branislav Ivanovic was dismissed for a second yellow card after a challenge on Angel Di Maria. From the free-kick, a resurgent Marouane Fellaini was denied by the impressive Thibaut Courtois, but RVP turned home to the joy of the Old Trafford faithful.
Louis van Gaal will be pleased to have snatched this late point ahead of a tricky trip to bitter rivals City. United, however, remain 10 points behind Jose Mourinho's outfit.
Full Time - Manchester United 1-1 Chelsea (Attendance: 75,327)