Three goals down, Man Utd rally to hold Chelsea

Manchester United fought back from three goals down to draw 3-3 with Chelsea in a thrilling Premier League match at Stamford Bridge Sunday.

Two penalties from Wayne Rooney and a header by Javier Hernandez kept the champions in touch with leaders Manchester City after Chelsea had built a 3-0 lead after 51 minutes through an own goal by Jonny Evans, a scorching left-foot volley from Juan Mata and a David Luiz header.

But United, who dominated most of the first half, struck back with two penalties from Rooney after 58 and 69 minutes and Hernandez powered in a header seven minutes from time after goalkeeper Petr Cech had saved a Rooney shot.

The result left Manchester City two points clear of United at the top of the table with 57 points, both teams having played 24 games.

Chelsea, without injured skipper John Terry and midfielder Frank Lampard and the suspended Ashley Cole, stayed in fourth place on 43 points, six behind Tottenham Hotspur who play at Liverpool Monday.

In the day's earlier game, Newcastle United beat Aston Villa 2-1 to move above Arsenal into fifth place on 42 points.

Substitute Papiss Cisse scored on his debut to secure Newcastle's victory.