United stage stunning fightback at Chelsea

Man. United staged a stunning fightback from three goals down as Javier Hernandez’s late equaliser rescued a dramatic 3-3 draw against Chelsea in one of the games of the season in London, yesterday.

Alex Ferguson’s team seemed heading for defeat as an own goal from defender Jonny Evans gave Chelsea the lead late in the first half before Juan Mata and David Luiz added further goals for the Blues soon after the interval.

But Wayne Rooney finally sparked United into life with two penalties midway through the second half and the champions’ frenzied pressure was rewarded when Mexican striker Hernandez headed home from a Ryan Giggs cross with six minutes left.

The draw leaves United two points behind leaders Man. City, but the manner of their remarkable revival should provide a massive confidence boost as they try to overhaul their local rivals.

“It was a terrible start after half-time and it’s not easy to come back from three down. It was a massive effort from our players,” Ferguson said.

Chelsea boss Villas-Boas added: “Of course, it feels like a defeat. It isn’t easy to take. It’s a massive recovery from United. It’s a disappointment for us. We had it in our hands and let it slip.

“There were some strange decisions against us. The second penalty was very unlucky. I don’t know if Howard Webb was trying to compensate for something.”

Chelsea forward Daniel Sturridge was the catalyst as his side took the lead in the 36th minute. His neat piece of skill took him past Patrice Evra on the left side of the United penalty area and he drove in a low cross that clipped David de Gea’s foot before deflecting off Evans into the unguarded goal.

United, whose last league win at Stamford Bridge came 10 years ago, were further behind just 30 seconds after half-time when Fernando Torres whipped a cross to the far post for Spanish winger Mata to lash a sublime volley past De Gea.

Chelsea struck again five minutes later when Mata’s free-kick was met by Luiz and the Brazilian defender’s header glanced in off Rio Ferdinand’s shoulder.

Rooney gave United a lifeline when he drove home a penalty after referee Howard Webb ruled that Sturridge’s challenge on Evra was worthy of a spot-kick.

And Rooney struck from the spot again 11 minutes later when Danny Welbeck tumbled over Branislav Ivanovic’s out-stretched leg.

Suddenly United were rampant and Hernandez came off the bench to cap their comeback with a clinical close-range header from Giggs’s cross in the 84th minute.

Earlier, Senegal striker Papiss Demba Cisse enjoyed a dream debut for Newcastle as his second-half strike secured a 2-1 win against Aston Villa at St James’ Park.

Alan Pardew’s side took the lead through Cisse’s compatriot Demba Ba, who marked his return from Africa Cup duty with his 16th goal of the season in the 30th minute.

Robbie Keane equalised for Villa deep into first half stoppage-time.

Cisse, who was only available due to Senegal’s earlier than expected exit from the Africa Cup, had come on as a first-half replacement for the injured Leon Best.

He bagged the winner in his first appearance since his £10 million transfer from Freiburg with a powerful finish past Shay Given in the 71st minute.

The Magpies climbed above Arsenal into fifth place, one point behind fourth-placed Chelsea, thanks to Cisse’s heroics.

Summaries

Chelsea 3
Evans 36 og; Mata 46; Luiz 50;
Man. United 3
Rooney 58p, 69p; Hernandez 84;

HT: 1-0. Att: 41,668.

Newcastle 2
Ba 30; Cisse 71;
Aston Villa 1
Keane 45;

HT: 1-1. Att: 48,569.

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