Courageous Man Utd Make Statement Performance in Chelsea Draw

Manchester United produced what many are calling a "defining" display against defending title holders Chelsea, though they were left wanting for rather than the single point secured from the encounter.

United managed to end Chelsea's perfect beginning to the current campaign as their defender's superb volley cancelled out the Chelsea player's exquisite opener.

The draw marked a important achievement for the Red Devils, who had before this lost in 10 and tied just one of their previous eleven league encounters with Chelsea.

However, boss Marc Skinner voiced "disappointment" that his team secured only one point rather than all three points as they continued their unbeaten run to 5 games.

During the match, Ella Toone missed chances on both sides of the halftime, while teammate Jess Park could have done better with a chipped effort before coming close with a powerful shot.

Ex- England midfielder Fara Williams commented: "In my opinion Manchester United will probably be kicking themselves. They created numerous quality chances and maybe with better finishing in the attacking area, they would have secured victory."

Nevertheless, Manchester United might have just as easily walked away with no points from the match.

Goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce made a superb second-half save to deny Chelsea's Keira Walsh, while the defenders Maya Le Tissier and Sandberg made crucial blocks during the final minutes to keep Chelsea at bay.

Ex- England goalkeeper Rachel Brown-Finnis added: "United are the first team to take points off Chelsea this season. If they must put out a message to their own club and reaffirm what Manchester United's ambition is, they've earned every bit of that."

Draw Demonstrates Progress of Growing Manchester United

This big inquiry at the start of the current season - the same one that's been asked over the previous six WSL campaigns - is whether any team can end Chelsea's dominance.

The Blues secured last term's trophy by remaining 22 games without defeat in Sonia Bompastor's debut season as manager - contributing to a domestic treble as they won the Women's FA Cup and League Cup as well.

Actually, it's been more than 500 days since Chelsea previously lost a league game - a 4-3 loss at Liverpool on 1 May, 2024.

Manchester United narrowly missed to ending that run on the weekend in a top-two encounter and Skinner was proud of "an extremely brave performance" from his squad.

Skinner stated: "We're building. You can see it, you can sense it. We are frustrated to have not won the game. The chances we created, not many teams could produce that against Chelsea. So for us to achieve that and in the way we accomplished it was credit to them [the players]."

After their promotion from the Women's Championship in 2019, United have rapidly emerged as WSL title contenders, ending up just two points behind Chelsea in the 2022-23 season.

The following season they won the FA Cup - their first major women's honor.

Although a draw against the current league frontrunners may be considered a chance not taken for United, former England striker the analyst believed it showed how far the club has come.

The pundit remarked: "You have to look at that steady performance. They've played 11 times against Chelsea now and only tied once, currently the second time, so I think it's really positive for their reliability and what they're achieving as a club and a squad. It proves it's working and they're getting better."

Questioned if Skinner earned more credit for United's ascent to challenge with more traditional clubs, the expert added: "What he's accomplished with these individuals, the philosophy, the DNA, how determined they are. He does not have the quantity of money or managed to spend the sum of money the such teams of Chelsea, Arsenal or [Manchester] City have achieved."

What Does This Affect the Championship Battle?

Chelsea's flawless beginning may have concluded, but they still remain top on thirteen points - 2 points clear of United.

But Skinner stated his team's performance at the Progress With Unity Stadium - where Chelsea clinched last season's title - proved the Blues won't have it quite as easy this season.

He added: "This proves to Chelsea they're not simply going to walk the league. We need to make sure everyone is providing a challenge. I think the league is getting better and you saw the quality, that we are progressing as well."

Blues boss Bompastor was "not happy" with Chelsea's performance, but said a tie was "not a bad result at Manchester United".

Questioned if United were title contenders, she added: "I see many teams being real competition for us, each game presents a distinct challenge. You must be ready for every game."

Manchester City, who were defeated to Chelsea in the first match, might reduce the difference on the leaders to one point if they beat Arsenal at home on the weekend.

Last season's runners-up Arsenal, in the meantime, have work to recover after losing points against both United and Aston Villa, and boss Renee Slegers will be targeting the Gunners' home game against Chelsea on 8 November as a opportunity to get themselves into the race.