Manchester United FC and Chelsea FC could not be separated at Old Trafford as the two clubs played out their first scoreless draw since May 2007 in the Premier League.
José Mourinho’s Blues could not maintain their 100 per cent league start or go into Friday’s UEFA Super Cup final with FC Bayern München on a winning note.
But the point was nonetheless enough to take them top of the table, having played a game more than their rivals.
With manager David Moyes taking charge of United on home turf for the first time since replacing Sir Alex Ferguson, it was set to be a tactical battle – and that was reflected in the first period as the sides kept each other at arm’s length. Robin van Persie drilled wide from a tight angle for United and Wayne Rooney side-footed into the arms of Petr Čech, while Oscar sent two efforts straight at David de Gea for Chelsea in a cautious first 45 minutes.
Rooney slipped in Danny Welbeck after the interval, but the England forward fired over the game’s best chance from inside the area before Oscar just failed to connect with an Eden Hazard cross.
Rooney forced Čech into a scrambling save from distance late on, but defences won out in the end as both sides maintained their undefeated league records.
Meanwhile, Nigerian international, John Obi Mikel, was featured for only six minutes of the encounter.
Mikel came on as a late substitute for Andre Schurlle appears to have worked himself into the plans of Chelsea’s returnee manager, Jose Mourinho.
The Super Eagles star was earlier linked to so many European sides such as Turkish giants, Galatasaray; Serie A outfit, Napoli; and Lique 1 side, AS Monaco.
His compatriot, Victor Moses, was not listed for the breathtaking encounter as he is close to a leaving the Stamford Bridge before the transfer window closes.
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