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Tim Ireland
AS IT HAPPENED

As it happened: Chelsea v Man United, Premier League

Chelsea took on Man United, as both sides looked to give their disappointing seasons a boost.

Hello, and welcome to today’s liveblog.

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Here’s the team news…

We’re underway…

Man United have started on top.

Zouma has to head Borthwick-Jackson’s cross away for a corner early on.

Chelsea v Manchester United - Barclays Premier League - Stamford Bridge A fan with a half and half match scarf before the Barclays Premier League match at Stamford Bridge. Nick Potts Nick Potts

Man United continue to apply early pressure.

Costa unconvincingly clears a corner out for another corner.

Diego Costa is looking an isolated figure up front for Chelsea at the moment.

The hosts are struggling to get the ball to the Spanish international.

More defending for Chelsea to do, as Oscar cuts out Darmian’s cross for another corner.

Man United have been much the better side in these opening stages.

Chelsea are not really providing too much threat or imagination in attack so far.

Is it too early to start thinking about Eden Hazard?

Carrick tries a shot from distance.

The England international’s effort is tame enough, however, and Courtois saves it quite comfortably.

Great tackle by Darmian to stop Costa launching an attack.

The Chelsea forward has been showing his pre-Hiddink form so far.

Matic gets to the by-line on the right-hand side of the pitch, but a sly little shove from Fellaini causes the Serb to run it out of play. Chelsea just haven’t got going at all in these opening minutes.

As I type, Martial almost scores a carbon copy of his fantastic goal against Stoke during the week, as Courtois manages to tip the Frenchman’s curling effort just over.

Chelsea v Manchester United - Barclays Premier League - Stamford Bridge Gary Lineker in the stands during the Barclays Premier League match at Stamford Bridge. Nick Potts Nick Potts

It’s been a pretty scrappy, tight opening 25 minutes, as expected, with both sides adopting a relatively cautious approach.

That Martial effort is probably the closest either side has come to a goal.

Diego Costa is not happy — Daley Blind was leaning into him as a corner went into the box.

It’s the sort of incident that technically should result in a penalty, but is almost never given.

Chance for Chelsea! Oscar finds Diego Costa with a clever pass, but the striker puts his ensuing effort just wide.

Chelsea are starting to get on top now.

This game has still yet to really get going.

Both sides have cancelled each other out in this first half, with clear-cut chances few and far between.

Costa tries to beat Darmian, but again the Italian tackles him cleanly.

United have looked very solid at the back today, as they have been for much of this season, for all their problems elsewhere.

Very close! Willian, who has looked bright, crosses for John Terry, whose effort is blocked by the hand of Daley Blind and deflects just wide.

The referee, however, waves away penalty claims.

HALF-TIME: CHELSEA 0-0 MAN UNITED

So half-time, and it’s been as tight and pragmatic as expected.

Man United controlled the opening 25 minutes in terms of possession and territory, while creating very little.

The Red Devils’ best chance came when Martial’s curling effort from the edge of the box was tipped over by Courtois.

Chelsea came into the match more as the half progressed.

Guus Hiddink’s side even had claims for a penalty in first-half stoppage time, as Terry’s shot deflected off the arm of Blind, though replays suggested it would have been a harsh call, given the Dutchman’s very close proximity to the ball.

The second half has begun…

After patient build-up play, Mata almost picks out Rooney with an incisive through pass.

Good, positive start to the second half from United.

Decent attempt by Rooney from distance that Courtois gets down well to save.

Moments later, Martial fires a shot just wide after cutting inside on the left.

Man United are more dominant than ever now.

United intensify the pressure, as Courtois makes a double save.

First, the keeper palms away Lingard’s shot from outside the box. Seconds later, the Belgian international parries Rooney’s cross out for a corner.

As I type, Hazard replaces Oscar for Chelsea.

Concern for Chelsea, as Zouma goes down writhing in agony, after falling awkwardly after jumping for a high ball.

The defender is taken off on a stretcher and replaced by Gary Cahill.

It’s a superb goal to give United the lead.

Lingard controls the cross from Borthwick-Jackson and acrobatically hammers the ball into the top corner.

That’s the midfielder’s fourth goal of the season.

MAN UNITED 1-0 CHELSEA (LINGARD 61)

Blind gets a booking for pushing Costa.

It’s an uphill task for Chelsea now, as they bid to score against a United defence with the second-best defensive record in the Premier League.

The hosts have just made an attacking change, with Pedro replacing Matic.

After nice interplay involving Willian down Chelsea’s right, the cross into the box falls to Ivanovic, who unleashes a powerful volley.

De Gea has to be alert to make a good stop to deny the hosts.

An audacious effort from Wayne Rooney goes just wide.

England’s record goalscorer takes one touch to control Darmian’s cross, before producing an excellent bicycle kick.

Hazard plays it to Fabregas, who blasts an attempt at goal.

Once more though, De Gea makes a fine save at his near post to keep Chelsea at bay.

A Chelsea move breaks down, as Hazard fails to run onto a Costa through pass. The Spain international does not look impressed with his teammate.

Meanwhile, Schneiderlin replaces Fellaini, as United bid to shut up shop.

Smalling gets booked for playing the ball on the floor.

Willian’s ensuing free kick is poor, however, and headed away comfortably.

The 30-year-old striker has certainly looked sharper in recent games.

Memphis Depay replaces Jesse Lingard, who goes off to appreciative applause from the United fans.

The Dutch winger, meanwhile, will have a point to prove to his manager, after being left out of the starting XI again.

CHELSEA 1-1 MAN UNITED (COSTA 90)

United deserve the three points today.

Chelsea have attacked with far less conviction, and are facing their first loss in 10 matches under Guus Hiddink, unless there is some late drama in the dying minutes.

Rooney tries an audacious chip on Courtois, but the ball lands on the roof of the net.

Meanwhile, Mata goes off to respectful applause from Stamford Bridge. He’s replaced by Herrera.

A slip by Daley Blind is capitalised on by Diego Costa.

The striker runs through on goal, taking the ball round De Gea before coolly slotting the ball into the net.

So close!

Hazard finds Costa, who turns Smalling, but his low shot is well saved by De Gea.

FULL-TIME: CHELSEA 1-1 MAN UNITED

The momentum is completely with Chelsea now.

There’s three minutes of added time left, and the crowd believe their side can get a late winner by the sounds of it.

Right, that’s all from me, but we’ll have more reaction to follow.

Thanks for reading and commenting.

So Man United are left frustrated, as Chelsea are rescued by a late Diego Costa equaliser.

The game needed a goal to come to life, and it certainly livened up considerably after Jesse Lingard’s acrobatic effort gave United the lead.

Chelsea, however, showed good resilience to recover thereafter, as United sat back and invited on the pressure.

A ruthless finish from Costa ultimately ensured a draw, as the striker took advantage of an unfortunate Daley Blind slip.

Both sides won’t be overly enthusiastic about a point, and United’s top-four hopes are looking increasingly slim as a result. Chelsea, though, have at least managed to retain their impressive unbeaten run since Guus Hiddink was appointed.

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