Giggs' 100th goal makes point as United misfire again

Chelsea 2 Manchester United

Deep in the heart of London's West End, where the Rolex culture reigns, the millionaires of Manchester United last night proved they retain a hunger for honours.

Twice behind to a vibrant Chelsea, to an early goal from William Gallas and another on the stroke of half-time by Boudewijn Zenden, United twice levelled. The goals came from two of their most feted stars, David Beckham and Ryan Giggs. Premiership opponents be warned. United's appetite is far from sated.

With Rio Ferdinand and Fabien Barthez still out, possibly with an eye to Tuesday Champions' League qualifier, Sir Alex Ferguson made one change. Juan Sebastian Veron, substituted when United were still at a stalemate against West Bromwich Albion last weekend, remained on the bench. Paul Scholes replaced him and was given an attacking role alongside Ruud van Nistelrooy.

Chelsea's change was Mario Melchiot, now restored to full fitness, for Albert Ferrer, who had given away one of Charlton's goals last week. Ken Bates' threadbare chequebook having been given a rare summer off, only one player was making his home debut, the free transfer signing Enrique de Lucas. Frank Lampard said before kick-off that the lack of investment meant the team would be able to gel immediately. This sounded as if he was seeking to put a gloss on an unsatisfactory situation.

Gianfranco Zola and Zenden had already troubled United when, after three minutes, Gallas put Chelsea ahead. Attacking a near post free-kick from Zenden, he left Roy Keane in his slipstream before touching the ball past Roy Carroll.

As United looked to respond Gallas reverted to his day job, nipping ahead of Van Nistelrooy to clear Giggs' cross. Lampard and Emmanuel Petit then regained midfield control and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink thrice went close to doubling the lead, having a shot deflected just wide and two aerial opportunities. Chelsea seemed in total control and disaffection was spreading through the United support when, out of the red, the visitors levelled.

Mickaël Silvestre looked to be ambling forward with nothing particular in mind when he launched a 70-yard missile to the right flank. With two touches Beckham brought it inside Celestine Babayaro and, with the third, sent a shot past Carlo Cudicini with a glance off Marcel Desailly's shin.

Chelsea were shocked but United failed to capitalise on their stunned state and the home team gradually reasserted command. Zenden, Zola and Lampard were the axis for most of their attacks and Neville's equilibrium was so strained by Zenden's mastery he was booked for a late lunge on Desailly.

The pressure mounted as the half ended. Zola combined beautifully with Zenden to set up Hasselbaink but Carroll denied what would have been a sublime goal. Zenden then shot across goal and Hasselbaink brought another save from the United goalkeeper.

As ever with Chelsea, one wondered if they would let the opportunity slide from their grasp and it seemed they had when United counter-attacked and Beckham's cross fell to Giggs. From close in he struck the outside of the post.

It was the reprieve Chelsea needed and, as injury time approached, they took advantage. Carroll, gathering a corner, attempted to start a United attack. Lampard intercepted and Babayaro switched the ball to Zenden on the right flank. He glided inside, played the ball into Lampard, seized on the loose ball as Lampard was tackled and drifted away from Keane to drill the ball home past Carroll.

United could not possibly be as poor in the second half and so it proved. A sustained burst of pressure brought good saves by Cudicini from Scholes and Keane with Beckham, after a sweeping move, chipping on to the bar in between.

The breakthrough seemed imminent and it should have arrived two minutes from the hour when Scholes ran on to Van Nistelrooy's pass and was hauled down by Cudicini. Graham Poll signalled a goal kick.

This prompted a furious reaction from Ferguson on the touchline and the dubious free-kick Poll awarded a few minutes later was no consolation as Beckham hit the wall.

Tempers rose and Desailly and Beckham were cautioned for a contretemps. United soon recovered their cool as, after 65 minutes, they levelled. Silvestre sprinted past De Lucas on the left and Giggs, on the run, whipped his cross over Cudicini. It was his 100th goal for Manchester United.

Chelsea attempted to recover their first-half impetus, bringing on Jesper Gronkjaer for the fading Petit, but the momentum was with United and Ferguson went for the kill with the introduction of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Claudio Ranieri matched and raised his counterpart by adding two fresh strikers. Yet, for all these forwards, there were no more goals.

Chelsea (4-4-2): Cudicini 7; Melchiot 5, Gallas 5, Desailly 6, Babayaro 4; De Lucas 6, Lampard 7, Petit 6 (Gronkjaer, 76), Zenden 8; Zola 6 (Gudjohnsen, 81), Hasselbaink 6 (Cole, 81). Substitutes not used: De Goey (gk), Ferrer, Cole.

Manchester United (4-4-2): Carroll 5; P Neville 4, Blanc 5, O'Shea 5, Silvestre 7; Beckham 7, Keane 4, Butt 5, Giggs 7 (Veron, 83); Scholes 4 (Solskjaer, 76), Van Nistelrooy 5 (Forlan, 90). Substitutes not used: Williams (gk), Tierney.

Referee: G Poll (Tring) 5.