23/08/2002  Chelsea 2 Man Utd 2
 
For all their enduring defensive weaknesses, Manchester United's vibrant attacking verve still managed to come to the fore at Stamford Bridge as they secured a hard-earned point.

Chelsea may not be able to rival United over the course of a whole season, but they yet again proved their equals on the one-off occasion.

Sir Alex Ferguson's side - again deprived of Rio Ferdinand - twice conceded goals that a defence capable of winning the title should have kept out as first William Gallas and then Boudewijn Zenden put Chelsea ahead.

However, on both occasions, United again proved - if any further proof was necessary - their ability to mount a comeback.

David Beckham, who encouragingly answered questions over his fitness with this display, struck the first equaliser to cap a superb counter-attacking move.

And then, after a penalty decision had controversially gone against them, United maintained their composure to draw level again through Ryan Giggs.

It was the Welshman's 100th goal for the club and, given their early-season problems with defeat in Hungary and the furore over Roy Keane's book, a point was the least that was required.

Ferguson had used Giggs in behind Ruud van Nistelrooy to devastating effect last April at Stamford Bridge as United cruised to a 3-0 victory.

This time, however, he pushed the recalled Paul Scholes further forward, just as he attempted without any great success during the first-half of last season.

And with just under three minutes gone, United were behind as Zenden swung in a low free-kick and Gallas sneaked ahead of Roy Keane while the rest of the United defence remained rooted to the spot.

The French defender, hardly a prolific goalscorer by any means, just managed to make enough of a connection to divert the ball past Roy Carroll from close range.

While United were roused into action, they were producing little end product as yet.

Chelsea, meanwhile, were far more assured in their build-up play, sending neat one-touch passes zipping across the turf, with Frank Lampard and Emmanuel Petit winning the midfield battle.

Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, selected up front despite the continuing uncertainty over his future, also came close twice to putting his side further ahead.

However, after Beckham had been caught round the throat by Celestine Babayaro amid a series of clashes, he took quick revenge in the best way possible.

Mikael Silvestre arrowed a 40-yard crossfield pass, of which Beckham himself would have been proud, straight into the midfielder's path on the edge of the penalty box.

His first touch controlled the ball on his instep, his second took him past Babayaro with an effortless feint and the third sent a shot looping over Carlo Cudicini, courtesy of a wicked deflection off Marcel Desailly.

Beckham was leading by example in a fiercely determined mood, serving to prove his fitness as he piled into challenges.

As the game opened up, Giggs struck the outside of the post when well-placed, while Gianfranco Zola skimmed the bar and Carroll saved superbly at the feet of Hasselbaink.

The keeper was nevertheless at fault as he conceded possession just before half-time with a throw intended to launch a counter-attack.

Instead, it was Chelsea who hared towards goal at full pace, with Zenden unleashing a fierce shot into the top corner from the edge of the penalty area.

Back came United in the second half. Beckham struck the crossbar with a chip and after Cudicini had produced a smart save from Scholes, he later looked to have brought the midfielder down.

Ferguson clearly thought so too, as did his players, and television replays appeared to back up their conviction but the referee, Graham Poll, nevertheless disagreed.

Soon, however, United at least had some cause for celebration.

Silvestre made a determined break down the left flank and cut the ball back for the Welshman to clip a first-time shot past Cudicini with 24 minutes left. Game on.

Both managers made adventurous substitutions in search of victory but for all the bluster in the final 15 minutes, chances were few and far between.

Honours duly ended even and, penalty decision apart, deservedly so.