LONDON, Jan 13: Manchester United held out under intense second half pressure from Chelsea to emerge from their League Cup semi-final with the narrowest of advantages after an entertaining first-leg goal less draw at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday.

It took a goal line clearance to prevent Chelsea's most recent signing, Jiri Jarosik, from claiming a late winner from the home side but United will claim they deserved the draw after enjoying the better of the first half.

What had been an even-tempered affair was marred in the final minutes when Didier Drogba and Cristiano Ronaldo tangled on the touch line, sparking a melee that resulted in both players being booked.

But this 0-0 stalemate will mean United start as favourites for the second leg at Old Trafford on Jan 26. Joe Cole set the tone of the match inside the first ten minutes with an air shot as he attempted to volley Mikael Silvestre's misdirected header towards goal. -Agencies