Chelsea 1-1 Manchester United

One can only wonder the mixed emotions for Jose Mourinho, assuming he was watching this game from the comforts of his spacious west London abode. Regardless of the 'Missing One,' though, it will be Guus Hiddink who tastes the sweeter Sunday evening wine after Diego Costa's stoppage time equaliser denied his compatriot Louis van Gaal three points after Jesse Lingard's beautiful opener in a dramatic 1-1 draw.

United were impressive at times, Chelsea limp and bereft of ideas, exuding a fragile confidence which correlates with their current position in the league. There was no shortage of bravura from Jesse Lingard though, who came up with a fabulous goal for the visitors, wrecked by the late surge from their hosts and the predatory instincts of Costa.

No player has been involved in more Premier League goals during 2016 than Wayne Rooney (8 - 5 goals and 3 assists). pic.twitter.com/jQUo4V3KXh

— Squawka Football (@Squawka) February 7, 2016

It was a slick, thoughtful United that strutted around in the opening 20 minutes and their dominance should have been crowned with a sensational goal from Martial, after the Frenchman ghosted past Ivanovic on the left, gliding infield and unleashing a brilliant curling effort that required all of Courtois' reach to tip it beyond the far post.

However, the visitors were unable to capitalise on their superiority and Chelsea rode the storm before growing into proceedings. Oscar and Willian combined beautifully to release Costa but the Spaniard watched his effort fizz past De Gea's post with the United keeper flat-footed. Then, a minute later, Fabregas slipped Oscar in only for the Brazilian to blaze his shot well over. The pendulum had been swung, Chelsea enjoyed a superb period and looked the more likely to break the deadlock. 

The first-half ended in controversy, with Chelsea crowding referee Michael Oliver in the belief they should have had a penalty when John Terry's effort was blocked with the arm of Daley Blind. The Chelsea players were irate and perhaps had a right to be, with Blind's arm not being in what you would call 'a natural position.' You couldn't help but sense that United had been lucky on that occasion. 

Following the break, United recaptured a purpose and direction that had fallen by the wayside towards the end of the first period. Rooney and Martial had both tried their luck before Lingard forced another fine save from Courtois after a curled effort from the edge of the area. Of course, crucially, the difference was that United managed to score while they were on top, at the second time of asking. 

The atmosphere of the game was darkened dramatically by Zouma's horror injury, landing awkwardly after jumping for a header. His screams of agony were deeply distressing and the whole of Stamford Bridge fell silent in the hope that his time out of the game will not be as extended as his reaction suggested.As it were, the goal was the product of the attacking imagination and aptitude of Jesse Lingard. It was another flowing move from the visitors, with Mata finding the adventurous Borthwick-Jackson down the left. As demonstrated regularly throughout the game, the young left-back found an accurate cross into Lingard, who spun and smashed a glorious shot into the top corner. Lingard showed composure and presence of mind to outmanoeuvre Azpilicueta to produce his finest moment as a Manchester United player. 

Almost by default, United thanked De Gea for his usual display of mastering the art of shot-stopping. His first one was to palm away a brilliantly-struck volley from Ivanovic before beating away Fabregas' attempt at the near post three minutes later. Although Chelsea didn't bombard the United defence in their search of an equaliser, De Gea remained typically astute and alert to ensure his side travelled back to Manchester with a precious three points.

Unfortunately for him, Costa eluded him for the equaliser, riding the last-ditch challenge of Borthwick-Jackson before rounding the grounded De Gea and diverting the ball into the empty net. It was Costa's first real chance of the game - and he struck the killer blow to crush United's elation. Costa then skipped past Smalling in the dying embers before being foiled by another excellent De Gea save. A dramatic finish indeed.