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Player Ratings: Manchester United 1-1 Chelsea

Sports Mole takes a closer look at the individual performances of those involved in Manchester United's 1-1 draw at home to Chelsea.

A late goal from Robin van Persie earned Manchester United a 1-1 draw at home to Chelsea on Sunday as the Premier League title race took another twist.

The Blues looked on course for the three points after Didier Drogba headed them into the lead with 52 minutes played.

However, United salvaged a share of the spoils when Van Persie smashed the ball in from close range with 60 seconds of added time remaining.

Here, Sports Mole takes a closer look at the individual performances of those involved in a thrilling game at Old Trafford.


Manchester United's Dutch striker Robin van Persie shoots but Chelsea's Belgian goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois saves during the English Premier League football match between Manchester United and Chelsea at Old Trafford in Manchester, north west England, on © Getty Images

Man Utd

Goal

David de Gea: Came to United's rescue on numerous occasions with some very good saves. Could have possibly done better with the goal, but his point-blank stop from Hazard moments before was tremendous. (8/10)

Defence

Rafael: Got booked early on for a silly foul on Hazard. Had to be careful after that, though he gave the hosts a good attacking outlet high up the pitch. (7/10)

Marcos Rojo: Looks as if he is still getting to grips with the Premier League. Did not always appear assured as the quick movement of Chelsea's attackers caused problems. (6/10)

Chris Smalling: Cleaned up impressively at the back a couple of times, taking the sting out of any Chelsea momentum. (7/10)

Luke Shaw: Started off timidly, but he came into his own as the match wore on thanks to some dynamic runs down the left. (7/10)

Midfield

Angel di Maria: Was extremely dangerous during the first half, running at Chelsea with his trademark pace and skill. However, his influence waned the longer the match went on. (7/10)

Daley Blind: Put in yet another dogged, energetic display in midfield, making it difficult for Chelsea's creative players to have a say. (7/10)

Marouane Fellaini: The Belgian's mini-resurgence continues thanks to a disciplined 90 minutes. Did an excellent job in stifling Fabregas. (8/10)

Adnan Januzaj: Showed good awareness and vision, particularly in the first half, as he cut open the Chelsea defence with some incisive passing and silky runs. (7/10)

Juan Mata: His tearing around the pitch made it look as if he was out to prove a point against his former employers, though he ran out of steam in the second half before being brought off. (7/10)

Attack

Robin van Persie: Had to be patient and persistent for much of the match as the lone striker. His personal duel with Courtois was seemingly lost before he pounced deep in stoppage time with a ferocious finish. (7/10)

Substitutes

James Wilson: Was lively when he came on with around 20 minutes remaining, taking some of the pressure off Van Persie up front. (6/10)


Chelsea's Ivorian striker Didier Drogba celebrates scoring the opening goal of the English Premier League football match between Manchester United and Chelsea at Old Trafford in Manchester, north west England, on October 26, 2014© Getty Images

Chelsea

Goal

Thibaut Courtois: Chelsea's shot-stopper put in yet another superb performance in goal, only to be beaten by Van Persie at the death. (9/10)

Defence

Branislav Ivanovic: Was his usual dogged self at the back and nearly scored a fine goal following a dizzying run. Should have no complaints with his sending-off after picking up two yellow cards. (7/10)

John Terry: Organised his defence well during the first half before providing the visitors with a solid foundation upon which to attack United in the second. (7/10)

Gary Cahill: Complemented Terry in the heart of Chelsea's back four, proving once again that they are the best partnership in the league. (7/10)

Filipe Luis: Did not offer the Blues the kind of all-round performance that the suspended Cesar Azpilicueta so often does. Could have got forward more when his side was in the ascendancy after the break, but was more cautious than anything else. (6/10)

Midfield

Cesc Fabregas: Not the Spaniard's finest showing in a Chelsea shirt as the attentions of Fellaini and Blind limited his influence throughout. (6/10)

Nemanja Matic: Had to be focused in the first half as United controlled proceedings, before playing more like his usual robust self in the second. (7/10)

Willian: Led the Chelsea attack a couple of times in the first half and linked well with his teammates when they were on top after the restart. (7/10)

Oscar: Needed to be physical and rose to the challenge with some deceptively-stern tackling in and around the midfield area. Occasionally got forward, though could have done more in that department. (6/10)

Eden Hazard: The twinkle-toed Belgian gave the United defence lots to think about for much of the game, running at them with his trademark confidence and slippery movement. (8/10)

Attack

Didier Drogba: Did an excellent job as the lone striker, holding the ball up well and bringing others into play. His header for Chelsea's goal was textbook, rising athletically above his marker to find the net. (7/10)

Substitutes

John Obi Mikel: Was brought on to shore things up for the visitors and did a decent job in keeping United at bay before they grabbed their equaliser. (6/10)

Andre Schurrle: Had little impact on the game when he was introduced with just stoppage time remaining. (6/10)

Kurt Zouma: Similar to Schurrle, Zouma did not have enough time to help his team out when he came off the bench deep in added time. (6/10)


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Chelsea Manager Jose Mourinho protests during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester United and Chelsea at Old Trafford on October 26, 2014
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