Van Persie header rescues Man Utd

Robin Van Persie scored a dramatic stoppage time equaliser to earn Manchester United a deserved 1-1 draw at home to Premier League leaders Chelsea.

Didier Drogba, 36, playing from the start because Diego Costa was unfit, headed the visitors in front in the 53rd minute from a corner conceded when David De Gea was forced into a fine save from Eden Hazard.

Chelsea seemed likely to hold out but just before the final whistle Branislav Ivanovic was sent off for a second yellow card and from the free kick Thibaut Courtois saved from Marouane Fellaini but could not keep out Van Persie’s fierce follow-up.

Earlier, Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino blamed the mentality of his players after Newcastle United overturned a first-half deficit to win 2-1 at White Hart Lane.

While a second successive victory for resurgent Newcastle pushed them out of the relegation zone and towards mid table, Tottenham are faltering.

Defeat left Tottenham, who have been regular contenders for the top four in recent seasons, down in 11th place with 11 points from their opening nine games.

Newcastle, despite no wins from their first seven games and with manager Alan Pardew under fire from the fans, are only a point behind in 14th spot.

Meanwhile, Samuel Eto’o rolled back the years with an eye-catching performance in Everton’s 3-1 win against Burnley.

Eto’o scored two excellent goals — the a bullet header and the second a sublime shot from outside the area — and was agonisingly close to a hat-trick when his late shot hit the post before rolling across the face of goal.

His goals secured a second successive Premier League win for Everton, who had won just one of their first seven league games, but his contribution to the development of Everton’s exciting team transcends his performances on the pitch.