CHELSEA’S lead at the top of the Premier League was reduced to one point over Manchester City and two over Liverpool after their two pursuers won their matches at the weekend, while Chelsea was held to a 1-1 draw by Manchester United. The cautious game plan, with Cristiano Ronaldo dropped to the bench, worked for Manchester United. Hitting Chelsea on the counterattack, with Jadon Sancho scoring his first Premier League goal, and grabbing a point is the type of damage limitation-mode United is in this season. Snatching a 1-1 draw Sunday — after home humiliations to Liverpool and Manchester City in the fading embers of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s reign — gives Ralf Rangnick a platform to build on. The German is yet to officially take charge — with a post-Brexit work permit still to be secured — but this could well be Michael Carrick’s final act as interim caretaker manager. The disappointment for United will be not holding onto the lead after Aaron Wan-Bissaka caught the back of Thiago Silva’s heel when clearing the ball. Jorginho equalized from a penalty in the 69th minute. Jorginho had been at fault for the United goal in the 50th minute. Mis-controlling a clearance from United midfielder Bruno Fernandes’ hooked long ball allowed Jadon Sancho to seize possession. The 21-year-old forward had the space to race through on goal before slipping a shot past goalkeeper Edouard Mendy that crept inside the right post. Sancho, who joined in July for 85 million euros (then US$100 million), also netted in the Champions League on Tuesday in a win at Villarreal. Now another positive result — after losing five of its last seven league games under Solskjaer — has taken United to within five points of West Ham in the fourth Champions League qualification place. “It’s not enough to draw, but at the moment, the way we are it’s a big point,” United goalkeeper David de Gea said. “In the last games we were conceding three or four goals, now we conceded one from a penalty and got a clean sheet against Villarreal, so I think we are improving. “But this is two games, we need to show in the games that are coming, like Arsenal — a big game again. Let’s keep going, keep focused.” Manchester City beat West Ham 2-1 as the defending champion trimmed Chelsea’s lead at the top to a single point. (SD-Agencies) | 