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Manchester United delivered what observers are calling a "defining" performance against defending title holders Chelsea, though the team were feeling wanting for more than the solitary point secured from the match.

United managed to end Chelsea's 100% start to the new season as their defender's sublime strike cancelled out Wieke Kaptein's brilliant opener.

This result represented a important outcome for United, who had before this been defeated in ten and tied just one of their previous eleven league meetings with the Blues.

However, boss Marc Skinner voiced "disappointment" that his team secured only a draw rather than maximum points as they extended their undefeated run to 5 games.

Throughout the match, United's midfielder missed opportunities on both sides of the interval, while Jess Park should have done better with a lofted attempt before narrowly missing with a dipping volley.

Former England midfielder Fara Williams commented: "I felt like Manchester United will probably be kicking themselves. They created numerous good chances and perhaps with better finishing in the final third, they would have come out on top."

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

Goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce produced a excellent late save to prevent Chelsea's Keira Walsh, while the defenders Maya Le Tissier and Sandberg made crucial blocks during the final minutes to prevent Chelsea at bay.

Former England shot-stopper Rachel Brown-Finnis added: "They're the first team to prevent Chelsea from winning against Chelsea this season. If they need to put out a statement to their own club and reaffirm what Manchester United's aspiration is, they've deserved all that."

Draw Shows Improvement of Developing Manchester United

The major question at the start of the current season - the same one that's been asked over the last six WSL seasons - is if anyone can stop Chelsea's supremacy.

Chelsea won last term's trophy by remaining twenty-two games without defeat in Sonia Bompastor's debut season as manager - contributing to a three trophies as they won the Women's FA Cup and League Cup too.

In fact, it's been more than five hundred days since Chelsea previously lost a league game - a four-three loss at Liverpool on May 1st, 2024.

Manchester United came close to halting that run on the weekend in a leading teams encounter and Skinner was impressed of "an extremely brave performance" from his players.

Skinner commented: "We are building. You can observe it, you can sense it. We are frustrated to not win the game. The opportunities we created, few teams could create that against Chelsea. So for us to do 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 challengers, finishing just two points behind Chelsea in 2022-23.

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

Although a tie against the present league frontrunners may be considered a missed opportunity for United, former England striker the analyst believed it showed how far the team has progressed.

She noted: "You have to look at that consistency. They've played 11 times against Chelsea now and only tied one time, now the second time, so I think it's truly good for their reliability and what they're achieving as a club and a team. It shows it's effective and they're improving."

Asked if Skinner deserved more credit for United's ascent to compete 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 quantity of money or been able to spend the sum of money the such teams of Chelsea, Arsenal or [Manchester] City have done."

How Does This Affect the Championship Battle?

Chelsea's perfect start may have concluded, but they still remain in first place on 13 points - two points ahead of United.

But Skinner stated his team's performance at the Progress With Unity Stadium - where Chelsea secured last season's title - demonstrated the Blues will not have it quite as easy this season.

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

Blues manager Bompastor was "displeased" with Chelsea's performance, but said a tie was "not a bad result at Manchester United".

Asked if United were title challengers, she added: "I see many teams being genuine competition for us, every game presents a distinct challenge. You have to be prepared for every game."

City, who lost to Chelsea in the first match, might close the gap on the frontrunners to one point if they defeat Arsenal at home on the weekend.

The previous season's second-place Arsenal, in the meantime, have work to make up after losing points against each of United and Aston Villa, and manager Renee Slegers will be eyeing the Gunners' home game against Chelsea on 8 November as a opportunity to get themselves back in the race.