Latest: Man Utd 0 Chelsea 1

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Didier Drogba’s goal seven minutes into the second half put Premier League leaders Chelsea ahead in the big game at Old Trafford.

Drogba met Cesc Fabregas’ delivery with a firm near-post header that Robin van Persie on the line failed to clear.

Chelsea arrived at Old Trafford without top scorer Diego Costa, who was unable to play having struggled with illness and a hamstring problem.

With Loic Remy also sidelined, Drogba, 36, was needed to lead the line despite himself nursing an injury in recent weeks.

And the Blues hero responded with a goal reminiscent of his all-important equaliser in the Champions League final against Bayern Munich in 2012, when he famously went on to net the winning penalty in a shoot-out.

It was Drogba’s second goal in as many matches – his penalty against Maribor in midweek was his first since he returned to Chelsea in the summer.

He had the visitors’ best opening of the first half but keeper David de Gea was down quickly to save his shot after Drogba had been set up by Oscar’s cut-back.

Jose Mourinho’s side also thought they should have been awarded a penalty seven minutes before the break when Branislav Ivanovic was wrestled to the ground by Chris Smalling.

At the other end, Thibaut Courtois produced two good first-half stops.

Courtois was called into action in the 22nd minute, saving with his legs from Van Persie after the Manchester United striker had been set up by Adnan Januzaj’s fine pass.

The impressive keeper was also able to gather Angel Di Maria’s looping header soon afterwards.

Chelsea made a lively start to the second half and De Gea came to United’s rescue again, denyng Eden Hazard after the Belgian’s clever one-two with Drogba.

But the resulting corner led to Drogba breaking the deadlock and another assist for Fabregas, who has been involved in nine of his team’s league goals this season, setting up eight and scoring the other himself.

Chelsea: Courtois; Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Filipe Luis; Matic, Fabregas; Willian, Oscar (Mikel 67), Hazard; Drogba.
Subs: Cech, Zouma, Ake, Baker, Salah, Schurrle.

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