Robin van Persie steals point for Manchester United

Robin van Persie smashed home a late equaliser

Chelsea looked all set to grab the three points but once more a late goal in Manchester left them with just the one point for their efforts.

Robin van Persie scored with virtually the last kick of the match as Manchester United hit back to draw 1-1 with Chelsea.

Jose Mourinho's unbeaten side looked set to secure a hard-earned victory after Didier Drogba had headed them into a 53rd-minute lead, only for van Persie to rescue a point for United when he lashed his shot home after Thibaut Courtois had kept Marouane Fellaini's initial header out.

It was a fitting end to a high-octane encounter between the two dominant Premier League sides of the last decade - Manchester United have been champions five times in the last ten years while Chelsea have three titles to their name, and are in pole position to finish at the top of the standings again in 2014/15.

Mourinho started with veteran striker Drogba in attack, as Loic Remy and Diego Costa were both absent, while Cesar Azpilicueta was suspended after being sent off in last week's win at Crystal Palace.

Fellaini started for United after scoring in the 2-2 draw at West Brom, while Radamel Falcao was injured and missed out.

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United created the first clear opening in the fifth minute but van Persie mishit his shot before Fellaini's attempted back-heel was blocked.

Fellaini, who was particularly impressive in the first half, then got in a great tackle inside his own penalty area to dispossess Eden Hazard.

In the 23rd minute there was another opening for van Persie but Courtois raced off his line to block the Dutchman's effort.

Chelsea struggled to contain a lively United team in the first half but they thought they should have had a penalty in the 38th minute. Branislav Ivanovic appeared to be thrown to the floor by Chris Smalling as they both tried to get on the end of Cesc Fabregas' corner but referee Phil Dowd was unimpressed and waved play on.

Four minutes before half time David De Gea saved Drogba's powerful low strike with his legs after the Ivorian had been set up by Oscar and, when play swung to the other end, Adnan Januzaj's rasping left-footed drive was only just too high.

Juan Mata then fired way over the bar after a clever Angel Di Maria pass had left him in acres of space just inside the penalty area.

United started the second half poorly and an incisive Chelsea move ended with the home defence scrambling the ball away.

As the Blues' pressure intensified, the United defence was cut apart again, only for De Gea to keep out Hazard's shot when the Belgian was clean through.

However, from the resulting 53rd-minute corner, which was delivered by Fabregas, Drogba got above Rafael and powered a header past De Gea.

United were chasing shadows for long periods in the second half as Chelsea slowed the pace of the game down.

When Chelsea did break forward, De Gea had to be alert to keep Willian's 30-yard effort out but the three points appeared to be heading back to the capital when Courtois saved another van Persie shot after the former Arsenal striker had been sent clear by Luke Shaw with ten minutes left.

Although they lost their way in the second period, United refused to give up though and, after Ivanovic had been sent off for a second bookable offence deep into stoppage time, van Persie was on hand to ensure the spoils were shared.

The result leaves United eighth in the table, three points adrift of fourth-placed West Ham, while Chelsea are now four points clear of Southampton, who are second.