Diego Costa strikes in injury time to rescue draw for Chelsea against Manchester United

Diego Costa's injury-time equaliser robbed under-fire Manchester United boss, Louis van Gaal, of a vital victory as Chelsea maintained their unbeaten run under Guus Hiddink.

The pre-match build-up was dominated by reports that the Red Devils had approached Jose Mourinho to become their next manager, but the visitors looked to have earned their Dutch coach a stay of execution courtesy of Jesse Lingard's superb second-half opener.

However, the Blues snatched a share of the spoils at the death as Costa continued his resurgence in front of goal under Hiddink with a composed finish from a tight angle.

It was hard on United who had looked to have built upon one of their finest displays of the season against Stoke with another dominant showing. For long spells the Red Devils were left to lament the brilliance of Thibaut Courtois while at the other end David De Gea produced some magnificent late saves to ensure they didn't leave the Bridge empty-handed.

The result leaves United six points adrift of fourth-placed Manchester City, while Van Gaal's hopes of a late title tilt look unlikely as they are now 12 adrift of leaders Leicester City.

Chelsea will be delighted with the point and buoyed by stretching their unbeaten run under Hiddink to 10 matches as they aim to avoid the prospect of becoming the first Premier League champions to finish the following season outside the top seven.

18' - MAN UTD CHANCE! Courtois is forced to fling himself to his left to touch away a rasping drive from Martial after the Frenchman had cut in from the left flank.

32' - CHELSEA CHANCE! A slick Chelsea counter attack sees Oscar slip a slide-rule pass into the right channel for Costa, who surges into the area but drags his low effort just wide of the far post.

45+1' - CHELSEA PENALTY APPEAL. Willian with more great play on the right. The cross deflects to Terry who sees his shot from eight yards diverted away at close quarters by what looked like the arm of Blind. The referee waves away the appeals.

54' - MAN UTD CHANCE! Fine goalkeeping from Courtois as he denies Lingard's curling effort and then Rooney's follow up.

61' - GOAL! CHELSEA 0-1 MAN UTD. United deservedly lead. Lingard swivels brilliantly to lash Rooney's touch from Borthwick-Jackson's cross into the top corner.

68' - CHELSEA CHANCE! De Gea shows off his agility to brilliantly push away Ivanovic's superbly controlled volley after Fabregas's cross had been diverted into his path.

89' - CHELSEA CHANCE! Costa thumps a header wide at the far post after rising brilliantly to meet Willian's right-wing free kick. Big chance missed to rescue a point.

90+1' - GOAL! CHELSEA 1-1 MAN UTD. Costa levels it up for the Blues! Fabregas's flick through finds its way into the path of Costa who keeps a cool head to move beyond the challenge of Borthwick Jackson and De Gea to tuck home from a narrow angle.

90+6' CHELSEA CHANCE! Costa wrestles his way into the area and cuts inside to let fly with a low drive that De Gea beats away at his near post. Incredible from the United stopper.

Diego Costa has scored six goals in his last seven Premier League apps after netting three in the previous 14 this season.

Chelsea have had exactly one shot on target in the first half of each of their four PL home games under Hiddink this season.

Wayne Rooney has scored or assisted as many Premier League goals in 6 games in 2016 as he had in 33 games in 2015 (8).

Jesse Lingard has scored three goals from his last four shots on target in the Premier League.

Chelsea are on the current longest unbeaten run in the Premier League, going without a defeat in nine league matches now (W3 D6 L0).

Guus Hiddink is unbeaten in his last six competitive contests with Dutch compatriot Louis Van Gaal, winning four and drawing two.

The Chelsea boss has lost just one Premier League game in his 21 matches at the club (W13 D7 L1).

Chelsea are unbeaten in their last seven Premier League games against Manchester United while they have lost just once in 14 home matches versus the Red Devils.

Chelsea draw four games in a row at home for the first time in the PL era.

What next for Louis van Gaal? It's been the sub-plot of United's season. Reports that the Dutchman is set to be replaced have surfaced at several junctures over the past few months and the rumours gathered momentum over the weekend as it emerged United had spoken with Mourinho. It seems certain LVG will leave the Old Trafford hotseat at some point, the question is just when that will be - has this result earned him a reprieve? Only time will tell, but there are definitely signs the Red Devils are on the rise with the form of Rooney, Martial and Lingard offering some belated hope for Louis.

Thibaut Courtois (Chelsea). Produced a string of top-drawer saves to deny United before and after Lingard's opener. Showed just why he was so key to Chelsea's title success last season.

CHELSEA: Courtois 9, Ivanovic 6, Zouma 6, Terry 7, Azpilicueta 6, Mikel 6, Matic 6, Willian 7, Fabregas 7, Oscar 6, Diego Costa 7. Subs: Hazard 6, Cahill 6, Pedro 6.

MANCHESTER UNITED: De Gea 8, Darmian 7, Smalling 7, Blind 7, Borthwick-Jackson 8, Fellaini 7, Carrick 7, Lingard 8, Mata 6, Martial 7, Rooney 7. Subs: Schneiderlin 6, Depay n/a, Herrera n/a.

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