Even for a side with Manchester United’s powers of recovery, this was a remarkable demonstration of the competitive spirit and togetherness that makes them such formidable champions. Sir Alex Ferguson’s team were three behind after 50 minutes and facing the prospect of a chastening defeat before another feat of escapology from a side that have made these kind of comebacks their speciality over the years.

It was a remarkable game in which dubious refereeing and questionable defending both played a part, and each side could reflect that they had enough chances to win. The lingering memory, however, will be of United’s response to finding themselves staring at the possibility of defeat.

The game had seemed to lurch away from them at the start of the second half when Juan Mata lashed in a brilliant volley and David Luiz’s header took a decisive flick off Rio Ferdinand’s shoulder. Jonny Evan’s own goal, deflecting Daniel Sturridge’s cross past David de Gea, had given Chelsea a first-half advantage and, at 3-0, André Villas-Boas could probably have been forgiven for thinking his side had built an unassailable lead.

Instead, what followed was a display of remarkable character from Ferguson’s team. They replied with two goals in the space of ten minutes, both penalties from Wayne Rooney, to leave themselves with 22 minutes of normal time to salvage an equaliser. It came from the head of the substitute, Javier Hernández, in the 83rd minute and, from that point, United might actually feel disappointed they could not go on to complete the job.

Chelsea, too, had their chances, denied a late winner by two brilliant saves from De Gea on a day when Villas-Boas also felt the referee, Howard Webb, had been generous with both penalties. He had a point, although an incensed Ferguson could also argue that Gary Cahill could have been sent off for an early challenge on Danny Welbeck.

Premier League 2011-12ChelseaManchester UnitedPremier LeagueDaniel Taylor
guardian.co.uk

• July trial to affect Anton Ferdinand’s pre-season training
• ‘No one discussed the date with me,’ claims angry Hughes

The timing of John Terry’s trial will disrupt pre-season for Anton Ferdinand and Queens Park Rangers, according to Mark Hughes.

The Chelsea captain, who denies allegations he made a racist comment to Ferdinand when the sides met in October, could face a five-day trial starting on 9 July. “Anton is obviously involved in the case and they have been given a date that is slap-bang in the middle of our pre-season from my point of view and Anton’s point of view. That is going to impact on his preparation for a new season,” the QPR manager said.

“I don’t know how they have come up with the date, whether they have had discussions with the FA and [made sure] it doesn’t impact on the Euros. They haven’t discussed it with us. They have certainly not discussed the date with me. It seems to be set in stone and it’s slap-bang in the middle of our pre-season operation when ideally I would want my player available.

“If John goes to the Euros it impacts on his holiday; it doesn’t impact on his pre-season because he’ll get a rest after the Euros. It’s just in his down-time, it’s not in Anton’s down-time. My understanding is that we were not involved in the discussion about a date. I might be completely wrong but certainly I wasn’t in that discussion if there was one.

“We’d like to have had a chance to put our point across to make them understand that there could be a little bit of an issue from our point of view.”

It is understood that the Football Association was not consulted regarding the trial’s date. The decision was taken by judge Howard Riddle at Westminster magistrates court on Wednesday, with a letter from Ron Gourlay, the Chelsea chief executive, part of the process.

Hughes is frustrated that the case cannot be heard earlier. “I think everybody believes it has been dragging on forever,” he said. “From my point of view, and certainly Anton I would have thought, [we] would have preferred it to be done and dusted by now. I think everybody would.”

Asked if he thought the date of the trial will also affect Fabio Capello’s England side at the European Championship, Hughes said: “Well that’s a decision for England. I’m sure discussions will be held in that regard on whether it will have a negative impact in terms of selection but it’s not for me to comment.”

QPR host Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday having picked up four points from their past two league outings to take them to 16th in the Premier League and Hughes said: “The target is to stay up. I think it’s important we take something from every game. We’ve beaten Wigan and got a good point at [Aston] Villa. If we can get maximum points at the weekend, it’s seven from three and that’s a decent return. That’s what we need to do, keep picking up points.”

Hughes, who is likely to pair his new signings Bobby Zamora and Djibril Cissé for the first time against Wolves, stated he was content with the draw at Villa despite squandering a two-goal lead. “There was disappointment in the dressing room because we were leading 2-0 but it’s a good sign that you are disappointed about getting a point at Villa Park. Beforehand we would have been delighted with a point.”

QPRJohn TerryMark HughesChelseaJamie Jackson
guardian.co.uk