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Manchester United produced what many are calling a "statement" performance against reigning title holders Chelsea, though they were left wanting for rather than the solitary point earned from the match.

United managed to end Chelsea's 100% beginning to the new campaign as Anna Sandberg's sublime strike cancelled out the Chelsea player's brilliant first goal.

This result marked a significant outcome for the Red Devils, who had previously been defeated in 10 and drawn just a single of their previous eleven league encounters with the Blues.

However, boss Marc Skinner voiced "disappointment" that his side came away with only one point rather than maximum points as they continued their unbeaten run to 5 games.

During the match, United's midfielder missed opportunities on both sides of the halftime, while Jess Park should have done better with a chipped effort before narrowly missing with a powerful shot.

Ex- England midfielder Fara Williams stated: "In my opinion Manchester United will probably be kicking themselves. They generated plenty of quality chances and maybe with better composure in the final third, they could have come out on top."

Nevertheless, United could have just as easily ended with nothing from the match.

Shot-stopper Phallon Tullis-Joyce made a superb second-half save to deny Chelsea's Keira Walsh, while the defenders Maya Le Tissier and Sandberg put their bodies on the line during the closing stages to prevent Chelsea at bay.

Former England goalkeeper Rachel Brown-Finnis remarked: "United are the initial team to prevent Chelsea from winning against Chelsea this season. If they need to issue a message to their own club and reaffirm what Manchester United's ambition is, they've earned all that."

Result Shows Improvement of Developing Manchester United

This major inquiry at the start of the current season - the same one that's been posed over the previous six WSL campaigns - is whether anyone can stop Chelsea's supremacy.

The Blues secured last term's trophy by going twenty-two games without defeat in Sonia Bompastor's first season as manager - part of a domestic treble as they won the Women's FA Cup and League Cup too.

Actually, it's been more than 500 days since Chelsea previously lost a league game - a 4-3 defeat at Liverpool on 1 May, 2024.

Manchester United came close to halting that streak on Friday night in a top-two clash and Skinner was proud of "the most brave performance" from his squad.

The manager commented: "We are building. You can see it, you can sense it. We are frustrated to not win the game. The opportunities we created, not many teams could create that against Chelsea. So for us to achieve that and in the way we accomplished it was praise to them [the players]."

After their promotion from the Women's Championship in the 2018-19 season, United have rapidly developed as WSL title contenders, finishing just 2 points behind Chelsea in 2022-23.

The following season they claimed the FA Cup - their inaugural major women's trophy.

Although a draw against the current league leaders may be deemed a chance not taken for United, former England striker the analyst thought it showed how far the team has progressed.

The pundit noted: "One must look at that consistency. They've played eleven times against Chelsea to date and only drawn once, now the second, so I think it's truly good for their consistency and what they're doing as a club and a team. It proves it's effective and they're getting better."

Asked if Skinner earned more recognition for United's rise to challenge with more traditional clubs, White continued: "What he's accomplished with these individuals, the philosophy, the DNA, how determined they are. He hasn't got the amount of money or been able to spend the sum of money the such teams of Chelsea, Arsenal or [Manchester] City have achieved."

How Does This Affect the Title Race?

The Blues' perfect start may have concluded, but they still stay top on 13 points - 2 points clear of United.

However Skinner stated his team's performance at the Progress With Unity Stadium - where Chelsea secured last season's title - proved the Blues won't have it so straightforward this season.

He added: "It shows to Chelsea they're not just going to run away with the league. We need to make sure everyone is providing a challenge. I think the league is improving and you saw the standard, that we are progressing too."

Chelsea manager Bompastor was "not happy" with Chelsea's display, but stated a tie was "not a bad result at Manchester United".

Asked if United were title challengers, she added: "I see many teams being real competition for us, every game brings a distinct challenge. You must be ready for every game."

Manchester City, who lost to Chelsea in the season opener, could reduce the gap on the frontrunners to a single point if they beat Arsenal at home on Saturday.

Last season's second-place Arsenal, meanwhile, have work to recover after dropping points against both United and Aston Villa, and manager Renee Slegers will be targeting the Gunners' home game against Chelsea on 8 November as a opportunity to get themselves back in the race.