Premier League 2 Division One
Manchester United vs. Chelsea
Venue: Leigh Sports Village
Date: Sunday, 28 August 2016
Kick-off: 13:05 BST
Manchester United came from behind to draw 1-1 at home to Chelsea in the Premier League 2 Division One.
Despite Kyle Scott giving the visitors the lead on the stroke of half-time, Joseph Colley’s own goal saw United equalise with a little over five minutes remaining.
This result means United have begun their title defence with one win, one draw and one defeat.
It was a quiet first half, with Scott and Scott McTominay booked, with the latter and Dominic Solanke forced off with injuries sustained from their collision.
Scott fired a shot wide, as Axel Tuanzebe denied Josimar Quintero with a block on the line.
Into four additional minutes, Sam Johnstone could only palm a cross straight into the path of Scott, who tapped home to give Chelsea the lead at the break.
The second half wasn’t much livelier, but United edged proceedings as they hunted for a leveller.
Demetri Mitchell saw a shot held, before Bradley Collins produced a superb save to tip the ball over the bar from Josh Harrop’s strike.
Harrop and Matty Willock then saw shots blocked, as United’s 20 game unbeaten home run at this level came under threat.
That record was preserved, however, in the 85th minute, as Regan Poole’s cross from the right was converted into his own net by Colley, with James Weir lurking in the background.
There was time for Fikayo Tomori to volley over for the visitors, but the game ended all square.
A fair result, with Warren Joyce’s side showing tremendous endeavour to find a way back into the game, despite limited personnel options at this level.
They also faced a side who have regularly impressed at youth and reserve level over the past few years, so a draw seems a decent result under the circumstances.
Up next is a trip to the Etihad Stadium on Friday 9 September to take on Manchester City, the night before the first teams face off at Old Trafford.
Line-ups:
Manchester United: Johnstone; El Fitouri, Poole, Tuanzebe, Riley; Redmond, Willock, McTominay (Kehinde 35); Mitchell (Scott 77), Harrop (Hamilton 83), Weir.
Subs not used: Henderson, Sang.
Manager: Warren Joyce
Chelsea: Collins; Colley, T. Chalobah, Tomori; Sterling, Quintero (Christie-Davies 73), Colkett, DaSilva; Mount (Wakefield 89), Scott; Solanke (Ugbo 31).
Subs not used: Thompson, Ali.
Manager: Adi Viveash
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