EPL: Resilient Manchester United steal a draw against table-topper Chelsea

In their first Premier League match post-Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Manchester United put up a resilient performance to steal a 1-1 draw against table-toppers Chelsea on Sunday. Stand-in manager Michael Carrick went into the game with some major changes in the lineup, including the shocking exclusion of talisman Cristiano Ronaldo. 

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Meanwhile, Ballon d’Or contender Jorginho was the main culprit when Chelsea conceded five minutes into the second half. The Italian midfielder was around the halfway line when he failed to control Bruno Fernandes’ hooked clearance from the edge of the United penalty area. Jadon Sancho nipped in to seize possession and race through on goal before netting his first Premier League goal since his offseason arrival.

When Aaron Wan-Bissaka touched the back of Thiago Silva’s leg while clearing the ball, Jorginho had the chance to save Chelsea.

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Jorginho, who missed a penalty earlier this month when Italy failed to qualify for the World Cup automatically, scored this time, sending goalkeeper David de Gea the wrong way in the 69th minute.

Jorginho will find out if he has won the Ballon d’Or, Europe’s top individual award, on Monday.

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Chelsea’s advantage was trimmed to one point as Manchester City defeated fourth-placed West Ham.

Michael Carrick had a victory – against Villarreal in the Champions League — and a draw against the Premier League leaders in his matches as interim caretaker manager, a week after Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was dismissed by United.

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United got within five points of fourth place in the Champions League after losing five of its past seven league games under Solskjaer, providing a solid foundation for Ralf Rangnick to build on. After obtaining a work visa, the German is expected to take command until the conclusion of the season.

With inputs from the Associated Press