Chelsea Vs. Manchester United Match Report

United held on tight to clinch a valuable point at Stamford Bridge but, having taken the lead through Ji-Sung Park, could have snatched all three points were it not for slack marking from a Chelsea free-kick, which allowed Salomon Kalou to grab a late equaliser.

The match followed a similar script to United’s 2-1 defeat to Liverpool in that the Reds took the lead before the home side became the game's dominant force, but this was an infinitely better performance than the one at Anfield last week.


Sir Alex Ferguson’s side clearly have not reached top form. But with players gradually returning from injury and suspension, United must look at this as a point gained and kick on from here.

The Reds boss chose not to use Cristiano Ronaldo from the start, despite having made his return from ankle surgery against Villarreal in midweek. Instead he had to settle for a place on the bench, as did Carlos Tevez, who stepped aside for Dimitar Berbatov and Wayne Rooney to occupy United’s forward roles.

Owen Hargreaves and Ji-sung Park started out wide, while Darren Fletcher and Paul Scholes took on central midfield duties. There was also a huge gesture of faith in the burgeoning ability of Jonny Evans, who deputised for the suspended Nemanja Vidic at centre-half alongside Rio Ferdinand.

It’s been a smooth-running start to the season for Chelsea, but Luiz Felipe Scolari had the disruption of injury to Deco during the warm-up. Michael Ballack, who scored twice against United at Stamford Bridge back in April, was promoted from the bench.

The Reds immediately took the game by the scruff of the neck. Goals have not been forthcoming so far this season, but United’s top scorer, Darren Fletcher, has made a habit of making perfectly-timed runs into the box. And on six minutes such a run saw him volley narrowly wide from Hargreaves’ cross.

Rooney went close two minutes later. After Cech’s failed clearance and Berbatov’s wayward attempted lob, Rooney tried to hook the ball in but it too went just wide. But then it was Chelsea’s turn to threaten. Joe Cole got away with what appeared to be handball before hitting the side-netting with his shot from 20 yards.

United were full of attacking intent during a high-tempo start to the game. Ferdinand hit the woodwork on 16 minutes when Rooney put him through on the right of the penalty area. Cech got a crucial touch to tip the defender’s shot onto the bar and over.

Two minutes later, however, the breakthrough United thoroughly deserved arrived. A great passing interchange between Berbatov, Rooney and Patrice Evra set the Frenchman free down the left. His cut-back enabled Berbatov to force a save out of Cech, but the Chelsea keeper spilled the ball, allowing Park to poke his shot home.

As it was eight days against Liverpool, the 1-0 scoreline was completely just. But, as at Anfield, the tide turned in the home side’s favour. Chelsea’s possession and goalscoring chances increased on the half hour mark. United also lost Edwin van der Sar to injury after a clash with Florent Malouda in a 50-50 one-on-one. The Dutchman was replaced by Tomasz Kuszczak, who was tested a few times as Chelsea pressed forward. But United held firm in a first-half full of action and incident.

Chelsea started the second half where they had finished the first 45 minutes and Sir Alex was quick to make a change, introducing Cristiano Ronaldo into the fray. Hargreaves switched to a defensive midfield role, while Ronaldo offered an outlet on from the right.

The home side continued to threaten more frequently than United, but there were surprisingly few chances in the second half. Nicolas Anelka should have levelled on 73 minutes when Joe Cole’s cross zipped across the face of goal, but the Frenchman failed to get any significant contact on the ball and Neville was able to clear.

The outstanding Rooney had a good chance on 77 minutes to put United 2-0 up and almost certainly secure all three points, but his shot from the right hit the side-netting.

Just as it seemed as though Sir Alex’s men could see the match out, Chelsea’s prolonged pressure finally told. Poor marking from a Chelsea free-kick allowed substitute Salomon Kalou to head in the equaliser on 79 minutes.

It led to a frantic last ten minutes with Chelsea in the ascendancy and United on the back foot. The Reds stood firm however and this was a performance of determination and an indication perhaps that United’s season can now finally click into gear.

Sir Alex doesn’t countenance two consecutive league defeats – the last time it happened was in April 2005, to Norwich and Everton – and the United boss will Booked: Scholes, Ferdinand, Neville, Berbatov, Rooney, Evra, Ronaldo.

Chelsea: Cech; Bosingwa, Terry, Carvalho (Alex 13), A.Cole; J.Cole, Ballack (Kalou 74), Mikel, Lampard, Malouda (Drogba 46); Anelka.
Subs not used: Cudicini, Belletti, Bridge, Ferreira.
Booked: Mikel