LONDON: A late goal by substitute Salomon Kalou earned Chelsea a 1-1 draw with Manchester United in the Premier League’s showdown at Stamford Bridge yesterday.

Kalou, who came on in the 74th minute, headed home six minutes later after Park Ji-sung’s 18th-minute opener.

Manchester City thrashed Portsmouth 6-0 on the day the club announced their Arab takeover would take place tomorrow.

Aston Villa maintained their good start with a 2-1 win at West Bromwich Albion, Everton came from two down to draw 2-2 at Hull City while Tottenham Hotspur remain bottom of the league after a goalless home draw with Wigan Athletic. Chelsea move level with Liverpool on 11 points, one behind leaders Arsenal who beat Bolton Wanderers 3-1 away on Saturday, with Villa fourth on 10. Champions United, beaten by Liverpool last week, have five points from one game fewer than their title rivals. Aware that another defeat would leave them nine points adrift of Chelsea, they started well and Rio Ferdinand hit the woodwork in an early attack.

They went ahead after Patrice Evra surged into the box and squared for Dimitar Berbatov. The Bulgarian, a peripheral figure for most of the match, had his low shot parried by goalkeeper Petr Cech but straight into the path of Park, who turned it in. Chelsea threw on Didier Drogba for the second half, with United introducing Cristiano Ronaldo, but neither forward was able to make an impact.

Chelsea gradually took control though and Joe Cole and Nicolas Anelka missed good chances before John Obi Mikel floated in a deep free kick, replacement keeper Tomasz Kuszczak remained rooted to his line, and an unmarked Kalou headed home from six meters. Chelsea manager Luiz Felipe Scolari said the loss of Deco to an injury in the warm-up disrupted his team and enabled United to take the initiative.

Rangers remain top

after 2-1 win

In Glasgow, Rangers beat Motherwell 2-1 thanks to second half goals from Steven Davis and Nacho Novo yesterday remain top of the Scottish Premier League.

Walter Smith’s side lead the way on 16 points from six matches, four clear of Hearts who beat Inverness Caledonian Thistle 1-0 on Saturday.

In a dull first half the best chance fell to Motherwell striker Chris Porter who got in the way of an attempted clearance from Rangers goalkeeper Neil Alexander only to see his goal bound effort spin away from the far post.

After struggling to break down a resolute Motherwell defense for 57 minutes, Davis struck after collecting a neat flick on from Kenny Miller and clipping his finish over sprawling Motherwell keeper Graeme Smith.

Rangers eased into a 2-0 lead on 76 minutes through an unorthodox finish from Spanish striker Novo who had only been on the pitch for three minutes.

Miller sped down the right and cracked in a low cross which Smith dived out to push away but the ball struck a sliding Novo and bobbled over the line.

Porter struck a post after 82 minutes with Alexander beaten but the visitors did manage to pull a goal back five minutes later when David Clarkson hooked in a close range shot after Rangers failed to clear.