What a game it was. I always knew that it would be a great exchange between England's top 2 teams and with Liverpool dropping points, a win was necessary.
75,455 fans had gathered at Old Trafford to witness Manchester United take on Chelsea. With both teams needing a win desperately, it was Man United that went away as the winners. The final score read 3-0 in favor on United. I had never seen such a brilliant display by United since many days. And they played extremely well and turned the heat up under Luiz Felipe Scolari with a thumping win.
First half was full of chances, but neither was converted until a corner drew some angry exchange of words. The way Rooney went to the corner and just rolled the ball in and asked Giggs to swing a kick till Ronaldo guided it past Cech was something the ref and his assistant never understood. The move is legal but the officials termed it illegal. I was cursing the ref when within seconds Vidic scored and put United ahead. The ref blew his whistle and I said not again... But he was indicating the end of first 45 minutes :)
Second half was better as both teams passed the ball, but United always threatened. Wayne Rooney then turned in Patrice Evra's cross after 63 minutes to set United on the path to a deserved three points. United embarrassed Scolari further when Berbatov rounded off the win by grabbing the third from close range four minutes from time.
Jose Mourinho who had been sitting in the stands did not do Chelsea much good as the win leaves Man United five points behind Liverpool with two games in hand. Benitez might think about the timing and content of his tirade against United and Ferguson - as Fergie appeared inspired rather than deflated. United now face in form Wigan on Wednesday to move up in the table.
What promised to be a great match for this weekend was a damp squib as Manchester United could not hold to the 1 goal lead and had to be happy with a point.
JS Park had given the visitors the lead in the 18 minute after a blooper from the Chelsea golie. United dominated in the first half, but the second half belonged to Chelsea. They kept on piling the pressure on United and the Red Devils succumbed to it. New man Berbatov was a peripheral figure and Ronaldo was introduced in the 55th minute. The game was getting ill tempered in the mid way of second half as lot of United players were cautioned by the ref.
The defending was poor, especially the man to man marking and this gave Kalou space to head in an equiliser in the 80th minute to cancel United's lead. Its so frustrating to see that the champions are made to look so ordinary. Defeat at Liverpool, draw with Villarreal and now another draw at Chelsea. Common champs, pull up your socks and show your devilsih style.
Labels: Chelsea, cristiano ronaldo, EPL, man utd, manchester United, Scolari, stamford bridge
Its a clash of the titans of English football tomorrow as champions Manchester United take on last year's runners-up Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
This match will be very crucial as United will try to close the gap on Chelsea to 3 points. It would be the first meeting of the two sides after Luiz Felipe Scolari took charge of the Blues. There have been a lot of injury worries for both the managers, as many of their star players are not 100% match fit. While United is worried about Ronaldo, Berbatov, Carrick and Foster; Scolari is worried about Essien, Ballack, Drogba.
Whatever might be the line up for today, i expect a great match for a great weekend.
