MAN of the match Wes Brown admitted an inexperienced United side had done well to claim a draw at Stamford Bridge.

The Reds fielded an under-strength side and held off sustained second-half pressure to earn a point.

“It was a difficult game for us, but we have come out with a creditable draw,” he told Sky Sports 1.

“We played players, a lot of them out of position and some young lads, and we have not played that way all season.

“We all had to play well and stick together. They put a lot of pressure on us but we stayed strong.”

United’s weak starting XI showed that perhaps their focus had moved to the FA Cup final against the same opponents later this month after clinching the Barclays Premiership crown at the weekend.

And Brown admitted: “The cup final is a special occasion and a big one for both teams.

“That is the main thing over the next 10 days.”

Sportsmanship

The defender also paid tribute to Chelsea’s sportsmanship after the Blues formed a guard of honour for United at the start of the match.

“It was great for Chelsea to do that and shows great respect,” he said.

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson admitted there had not been contact when Chris Eagles went down in the box with Michael Essien stretching for a loose ball.

Ferguson told Sky Sports: “Having seen it on the video, no I don’t think he has touched him, so it’s not a penalty.

“I have to be pleased at the result, some of the performance was good at times but we tired in the last 15 minutes; players like Kieran Lee, Chris Eagles and Dong (Fangzhuo) were spent forces by the end.”

Asked whether the likely absence of Ricardo Carvalho from the FA Cup final was a boost to his team, the Scot added: “In these games, you hope (John) Terry’s not playing, you hope (Petr) Cech’s not playing, you hope (Didier) Drogba’s not playing.

“That’s the nature of football at the end of the day. I am hoping I can get there with a good strong squad myself.”

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