Manchester United will lead the Premier League by four points going into Christmas after a frustrating draw at resolute Swansea.

Patrice Evra's header from a Robin van Persie corner put United in front.

Ferguson wants Williams banned

Swansea hit back with Michu tapping in after Jonathan De Guzman's shot had been blocked by keeper David De Gea.

United struck the woodwork twice after the break, while Van Persie reacted angrily when Ashley Williams' clearance hit him on the back of the head.

Williams lashed the ball away after 74 minutes and it struck a grounded Van Persie, who angrily squared up to the defender, with both players being booked.

Van Persie had gone close to grabbing a winner for his side when he looped a shot on to the crossbar and team-mate Michael Carrick also had a header tipped against the woodwork.

Analysis

Image of Martin Fisher Martin Fisher Match of the Day commentator

"It's a huge result for Swansea. They battled throughout. What a terrific year 2012 has been for them and they will feel they more than deserved a share of the spoils."

United piled on the pressure late on and Van Persie also had a shot blocked by Williams before Ashley Young's follow-up effort struck Ben Davies in the goalmouth.

Despite the second-half rally, United were held to a first league draw of the season by a stubborn Swansea.

The Old Trafford side had led the top flight by six points heading into the weekend but their advantage has been cut by two, with second-placed Manchester City beating Reading on Saturday.

United have kept only four clean sheets this season and have conceded 25 goals and, while their attacking exploits have regularly rescued them, it was not to be this time around.

It had started in promising fashion for the Red Devils as they forced Swansea keeper Michel Vorm, who was back after 10 games out with a groin injury, into two smart saves.

Swansea v Man Utd in focus

  • Manchester United have scored more headed goals (11) and more goals from crosses (15) than any other Premier League side this season.
  • Robin van Persie has hit the woodwork six times in the Premier League this season, more than any other player and more than 10 teams.
  • This was United's first draw of the season.
  • Swansea managed nine shots on target, no side has hit more against Man Utd this season.

Vorm fended away a long range strike by Wayne Rooney before palming a Young shot wide after Carrick's defence-splitting pass.

From the resulting corner, Evra glanced in a header off the post, despite Leon Britton standing next to the upright.

However, United's defensive frailties were exposed again as Swansea equalised.

Wayne Routledge slipped a clever pass through to De Guzman and, although his shot was blocked by keeper De Gea, Michu put away the loose ball for his 13th league goal of the campaign.

United were aggrieved about a challenge on Van Persie by Chico at the start of the move, although the hosts still had plenty to do and the visitors' defending left a lot to be desired.

Centre-back Nemanja Vidic was making his first start for Sir Alex Ferguson's after three months out with a knee injury but there was still an air of vulnerability about United at the back.

Laudrup pleased with spirited Swans

The goal gave Swansea renewed vigour and De Guzman had an acute-angled shot saved by De Gea.

An entertaining game was producing chances at both ends and a lacklustre Rooney might have hoped to have done better when he fired straight at Vorm from Evra's cut back.

Swansea responded with Kemy Agustien having a well-struck long range shot saved before Routledge's low, angled strike was palmed wide.

United smothered Swansea in the final quarter of the match and, even though Van Persie, Carrick and Young went close, the hosts stood firm to avoid a third league loss on the trot.

Lineup, Bookings (6) & Substitutions (6)

Swansea City

  • 01 Vorm
  • 04 Chico Booked
  • 06 Williams Booked
  • 21 Tiendalli
  • 33 Davies
  • 07 Britton (Ki Sung-Yeung - 62' )
  • 09 Michu
  • 12 Dyer
  • 15 Routledge
  • 20 De Guzman (Moore - 70' )
  • 26 Agustien (Shechter - 87' )

Substitutes

  • 25 Tremmel
  • 16 Monk
  • 24 Ki Sung-Yeung
  • 29 Richards
  • 10 Graham
  • 17 Shechter
  • 19 Moore

Manchester United

  • 01 De Gea
  • 03 Evra
  • 04 Jones Booked
  • 06 Evans
  • 15 Vidic
  • 07 Valencia (Hernandez - 61' )
  • 16 Carrick
  • 18 Young
  • 23 Cleverley (Scholes - 85' Booked )
  • 10 Rooney Booked (Giggs - 78' )
  • 20 Van Persie Booked

Substitutes

  • 13 Lindegaard
  • 28 Buttner
  • 11 Giggs
  • 22 Scholes
  • 24 Fletcher
  • 14 Hernandez
  • 19 Welbeck
Ref: Oliver
Att: 20,650

Match Stats

Shots

14 19

On target

10 16

Corners

3 6

Fouls

11 16

Live Text Commentary

90:00 +4:18 Full time

Full Time The referee blows for the end of the match.

90:00 +2:02

Shot by Ryan Giggs missed to the left of goal.

90:00 +0:54

Free kick taken by Chico.

90:00 +0:54 Booking

Booking Paul Scholes is given a yellow card.

90:00 +0:46

Paul Scholes gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Wayne Routledge.

88:06

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Paul Scholes by Wayne Routledge. Direct free kick taken by Jonny Evans.

87:37

Javier Hernandez takes a shot. Blocked by Ashley Williams.

86:15 Substitution

Substitution Itay Shechter replaces Kemy Agustien.

85:37

Kemy Agustien concedes a free kick for a foul on Patrice Evra. Paul Scholes takes the direct free kick.

84:48 Substitution

Substitution Paul Scholes comes on in place of Tom Cleverley.

84:39

The ball is delivered by Tom Cleverley.

84:10

Corner taken right-footed by Ashley Young, Miguel Michu makes a clearance.

82:20

Free kick awarded for a foul by Ryan Giggs on Dwight Tiendalli. Direct free kick taken by Chico.

79:30

The ball is delivered by Patrice Evra, Robin van Persie takes a shot. Ashley Williams gets a block in. Ashley Young takes a shot. Blocked by Ben Davies.

81:45

Michael Carrick fouled by Wayne Routledge, the ref awards a free kick. Ashley Young restarts play with the free kick.

77:37

Corner taken by Robin van Persie from the right by-line to the near post, Michael Carrick takes a shot. Save by Michel Vorm. Phil Jones crosses the ball, clearance by Chico.

80:10

Robin van Persie gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Sung-Yeung Ki. Direct free kick taken by Ashley Williams.

79:30

The ball is delivered by Patrice Evra, Robin van Persie takes a shot. Chico gets a block in. Ashley Young takes a shot. Blocked by Ben Davies.

78:09

Sung-Yeung Ki fouled by Ryan Giggs, the ref awards a free kick. Kemy Agustien restarts play with the free kick.

77:37

Inswinging corner taken by Robin van Persie from the right by-line played to the near post, Jonny Evans takes a shot. Save by Michel Vorm. Phil Jones sends in a cross, Chico makes a clearance.

77:15 Substitution

Substitution Ryan Giggs joins the action as a substitute, replacing Wayne Rooney.

76:14

Strike on goal comes in from Wayne Rooney from the free kick, blocked by Ashley Williams.

76:14 Booking

Booking Robin van Persie is booked.

75:51 Booking

Booking Ashley Williams is shown a yellow card for unsporting behaviour.

74:36

Nathan Dyer concedes a free kick for a foul on Robin van Persie.

73:49

Tom Cleverley delivers the ball, clearance by Chico.

71:03

Javier Hernandez takes a shot. Save by Michel Vorm.

70:26

Ben Davies crosses the ball.

69:43 Substitution

Substitution Luke Moore on for Jonathan de Guzman.

69:17

Volleyed right-footed shot by Ashley Williams. Nemanja Vidic gets a block in.

68:20

The free kick is swung in right-footed by Jonathan de Guzman, clearance made by Jonny Evans.

68:20 Booking

Booking Booking for Wayne Rooney.

68:12

Wayne Rooney gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Dwight Tiendalli.

66:48

Corner taken by Robin van Persie from the right by-line played to the near post, clearance made by Miguel Michu.

66:14

The ball is swung over by Wayne Rooney, Effort on goal by Robin van Persie from 18 yards. Ashley Williams gets a block in.

65:20

The ball is sent over by Robin van Persie, Dwight Tiendalli makes a clearance.

64:19

Wayne Rooney takes a shot. Ashley Williams gets a block in.

63:09

Ashley Young delivers the ball.

62:31

The ball is crossed by Patrice Evra, Ben Davies manages to make a clearance.

61:59

Shot by Nathan Dyer from 30 yards. Save by David De Gea.

61:12 Substitution

Substitution Sung-Yeung Ki comes on in place of Leon Britton.

60:54 Substitution

Substitution Antonio Valencia leaves the field to be replaced by Javier Hernandez.

58:55

Strike on goal comes in from Wayne Rooney from the free kick, save by Michel Vorm.

58:55 Booking

Booking Chico is cautioned by the ref for dissent.

58:40

Dwight Tiendalli gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Ashley Young.

57:15

Nathan Dyer concedes a free kick for a foul on Michael Carrick. Free kick taken by Tom Cleverley.

56:02

The ball is sent over by Dwight Tiendalli, clearance made by Jonny Evans.

55:38

Robin van Persie gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Kemy Agustien. Jonathan de Guzman restarts play with the free kick.

55:06

Dwight Tiendalli is flagged offside by the assistant referee. David De Gea takes the free kick.

54:04

Nathan Dyer has an effort at goal from just outside the box which goes wide of the right-hand upright.

53:03

Ashley Young takes a shot. Blocked by Ashley Williams.

52:34

Free kick awarded for a foul by Ben Davies on Ashley Young. Ashley Young restarts play with the free kick.

52:03

Corner taken by Jonathan de Guzman, Nemanja Vidic makes a clearance.

51:48

Wayne Routledge takes a shot. David De Gea makes a save.

51:08

Shot by Kemy Agustien. Save by David De Gea.

50:13

Ashley Young produces a cross, clearance by Chico.

49:35

Wayne Rooney takes a shot. Ashley Williams gets a block in.

48:57

Free kick awarded for a foul by Robin van Persie on Ashley Williams. Free kick taken by Michel Vorm.

46:54

Free kick awarded for a foul by Jonathan de Guzman on Robin van Persie. Direct free kick taken by Ashley Young.

45:38

Ashley Young gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Jonathan de Guzman. Chico restarts play with the free kick.

45:01

The referee gets the second half underway.

45:00 +1:08 Half time

Half Time The match has reached half-time.

44:55

Wayne Rooney takes a shot. Save made by Michel Vorm.

42:54

Shot by Wayne Rooney from outside the box goes over the net.

42:33

The ball is sent over by Phil Jones, Dwight Tiendalli manages to make a clearance.

41:28

Wayne Routledge produces a cross.

41:10

Centre by Dwight Tiendalli, clearance made by Jonny Evans.

40:21

Michael Carrick concedes a free kick for a foul on Jonathan de Guzman. Direct free kick taken by Ben Davies.

39:01

Nathan Dyer takes a shot. Save by David De Gea.

37:44

Shot from just outside the penalty box by Jonathan de Guzman misses to the left of the target.

37:06

Unfair challenge on Ben Davies by Robin van Persie results in a free kick. Ben Davies restarts play with the free kick.

36:11

Antonio Valencia produces a cross, clearance made by Chico.

35:34

Jonathan de Guzman takes a shot. Save by David De Gea.

35:13

Ashley Williams produces a cross.

34:48

Corner taken right-footed by Jonathan de Guzman from the right by-line to the near post, clearance by Michael Carrick.

33:00

Centre by Wayne Routledge, clearance made by Patrice Evra.

30:10

Effort on goal by Robin van Persie from deep inside the penalty area misses to the right of the target.

28:45

Assist on the goal came from Jonathan de Guzman.

28:45 Goal scored

Goal - Miguel Michu - Swansea 1 - 1 Man Utd Miguel Michu gets on the score sheet with a goal from close in low into the middle of the goal. Swansea 1-1 Man Utd.

28:42

Jonathan de Guzman takes a shot. Save by David De Gea.

27:08

The referee blows for offside. Free kick taken by Nemanja Vidic.

26:37

Ashley Williams takes the free kick.

26:37 Booking

Booking Booking for Phil Jones.

26:26

Ben Davies fouled by Phil Jones, the ref awards a free kick.

25:38

The ball is crossed by Nathan Dyer, Header from deep inside the penalty area by Miguel Michu goes harmlessly over the crossbar.

24:40

Kemy Agustien concedes a free kick for a foul on Patrice Evra. Ashley Young takes the direct free kick.

24:03

The ball is sent over by Phil Jones.

23:29

The ball is sent over by Ashley Young, clearance by Ashley Williams.

22:13

Phil Jones gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Miguel Michu. Ashley Williams takes the direct free kick.

21:15

Inswinging corner taken by Robin van Persie from the right by-line. Centre by Ashley Young.

19:08

Patrice Evra gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Nathan Dyer. Jonathan de Guzman delivers the ball from the free kick right-footed from right channel, Nemanja Vidic makes a clearance.

17:34

Miguel Michu concedes a free kick for a foul on Jonny Evans. Free kick taken by David De Gea.

16:23

The ball is sent over by Phil Jones, Ashley Williams manages to make a clearance.

15:01

Assist on the goal came from Robin van Persie.

15:01 Goal scored

Goal - Patrice Evra - Swansea 0 - 1 Man Utd Patrice Evra grabs a headed goal from close in. Swansea 0-1 Man Utd.

14:54

Corner taken by Robin van Persie from the right by-line,

14:43

Ashley Young takes a shot. Michel Vorm makes a save.

13:20

The ball is delivered by Tom Cleverley.

13:01

Shot by Wayne Rooney. Save by Michel Vorm.

12:41

Miguel Michu takes a shot. Save by David De Gea.

12:13

Patrice Evra crosses the ball, clearance by Chico.

11:49

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Robin van Persie by Miguel Michu. Free kick taken by Jonny Evans.

11:15

The referee blows for offside against Miguel Michu. Free kick taken by Michael Carrick.

10:46

Antonio Valencia delivers the ball, Foul by Ashley Young on Dwight Tiendalli, free kick awarded. Michel Vorm restarts play with the free kick.

10:09

Wayne Routledge takes a shot. Comfortable save by David De Gea.

9:49

Free kick awarded for a foul by Patrice Evra on Nathan Dyer. Nathan Dyer restarts play with the free kick.

8:44

Shot by Miguel Michu from deep inside the penalty area misses wide to the left of the target.

7:06

Inswinging corner taken by Ben Davies from the right by-line, David De Gea makes a comfortable save.

6:45

A cross is delivered by Dwight Tiendalli, blocked by Ashley Young.

5:41

The ball is delivered by Dwight Tiendalli.

1:30

Robin van Persie takes a inswinging corner to the near post, clearance made by Kemy Agustien.

1:16

Wayne Rooney takes a shot. Ashley Williams gets a block in.

0:54

A cross is delivered by Nathan Dyer, clearance made by Jonny Evans.

0:13

Unfair challenge on Nathan Dyer by Patrice Evra results in a free kick. Kemy Agustien takes the direct free kick.

0:00

The match gets underway.

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