Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard believes a mutual fear of defeat stopped either Manchester United or the Blues making the breakthrough in a goalless draw at Old Trafford.

The Premier League title rivals could not be separated in David Moyes’s first home game as United manager and Lampard feels the status of the game as a “big decider” kept both sets of players from taking risks.

He told Sky Sports 1: “It was tense. People talk about big decider games early in the season and neither team wants to lose. It was a bit of a stalemate in those terms.

“We worked hard to stop the threat they’ve got up front and they worked hard to stop us.”

Blues captain and defender John Terry agreed with his team-mate, saying: “Neither of us had too many chances to win the game.

“I think both teams looked solid and it’s obviously a great point for us away from home. “It’s a tough place to come. It’s out of the way and we move on now. “I think both midfields and attacks cancelled each other out a bit and neither team wanted to lose the game so early on in the season.”