Match Report: Manchester United 3-1 Chelsea
A fantastic afternoon of football took place at Old Trafford as Manchester United ran out 3-1 winners over Chelsea, goals from Chris Smalling, Nani and Wayne Rooney helped United to victory.
A fantastic afternoon of football took place as Manchester United ran out 3-1 winners over Chelsea, goals from Chris Smalling, Nani and Wayne Rooney helped United to victory. Rooney also missed a penalty. Fernando Torres finally scored to give a lifeline to Chelsea, but his good performance will unfortunately be remembered for one of the worst misses of recent times, as he shot wide of an open goal. Chelsea looked strong regardless, but lacked the cutting edge that United have in abundance. A highly anticipated clash at Old Trafford as Manchester United welcomed Chelsea. United had been absolutely superb in the opening games, and although they had played the likes of Tottenham Hotspur, this fixture was the first time they played genuine title contenders. Andre Villas-Boas men were unbeaten having won three and drawn once, but they too hadnt had opposition of the likes of the Red Devils. The young Portuguese manager appeared to be making excuses before a ball had even been kicked, saying
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Our importance in the game is minimal. It's for the players to exploit their talents and enjoy their game. Any manager who is judged after five games of a season, there's not something wrong with the manager but with the people who run clubs."He obviously hasnt gotten to know Roman Abramovich yet... Manchester United were without Tom Cleverley, Rafael da Silva, Danny Welbeck and Nemanja Vidic. It was hardly a second string side that took to the field though, Cleverley was replaced by Darren Fletcher - a favourite of Sir Alex Ferguson for big clashes such as this. The midfielder had only started two games in the last six months however. There was also no Rio Ferdinand, so Jonny Evans and Phil Jones started in the heart of defence with Chris Smalling at right back. Wayne Rooney and Javier Hernandez with 19 goals in 16 games together, started at the top of the 4-4-2 formation. Fernando Torres started again for the visitors after two assists and an impressive all-round performance against Bayer Leverkusen midweek. Villas-Boas took a positive, attacking approach to the daunting fixture, fielding a 4-3-3 formation with Juan Mata and Daniel Sturridge also in the starting line up. Frank Lampard and John Terry were back in the side after missing out midweek, but Didier Drogba was still suffering with concussion and didnt make the squad. Chelsea have the upper hand in Premier League meetings, winning 13 compared to Uniteds 11. The hosts were favourites however, their 18 goals in four games is unsurprisingly a new record. Goals can come from anywhere within Fergusons side and Chelsea had to be on the lookout for Chicharito in particular, the Mexican put three past the Blues last season. Manchester United kicked off and held possession but Chelsea were looking lively, forcing the Red Devils back in the opening moments. David de Gea, who started again despite an impressive performance by Anders Lindegaard midweek was the first to be called into action. He stuck out a foot to deny Ramires after the Brazilian was found by a volleyed Ashley Cole cross. An easy save for the Spaniard but one that would raise his confidence. Man Utd took the lead through the unlikely source of young defender Chris Smalling in the opening ten minutes. A fantastic free kick delivery from Ashley Young found the right back at the far post. He was completely unmarked and headed it beyond Petr Cech and into the net. Torres should have equalised for the Blues, an awful pass from Anderson went straight to the Spaniard who cut in past Phil Jones and struck at goal but put it just wide. The strikers poor form in front of goal continued - he really should have scored. Another terrible pass from Anderson gifted Chelsea possession, they ran at United and Frank Lampard got a shot away that was deflected wide. Branislav Ivanovic headed at goal from the resulting corner but David de Gea held it. Villas-Boas men had started well with five shots in the opening 15 minutes to Uniteds one the Chris Smalling header, but they were trailing. They werent afraid to attack though as a purely defensive approach would inevitably have ended in destruction at the hands of Fergusons young, hungry team. The home team had a penalty appeal turned down as they felt the ball had struck the arm of Frank Lampard, but replays showed he had merely headed it into his own knee. The veteran midfielder then had a chance to level proceedings as he volleyed a chipped through pass by Raul Meireles goalwards, it flew just wide of the near post. There was no doubt that with the exception of Fergusons second string sides game at Benfica, United hadnt come up against a challenge as difficult as this one. Hernandez was next to be given a chance though, a great ball from the outside of Nanis boot found the Mexican but his first touch was a tricky one to control and it trickled straight through to Cech. The visitors had a golden chance to equalise, Fernando Torres squared it to Ramires after being played through by Juan Mata, but the ridiculously easy chance was squandered by the Brazilian, who had a fair share of the goal to aim at but instead hit it straight at de Gea. Daniel Sturridge beat the offside trap down the right hand side before crossing to Fernando Torres who couldnt quite get the acrobatic overhead kick right and it sailed wide. Sturridge then had an effort himself, he did well to keep his volleys down after Ashley Youngs cross but it was straight into the arms of David de Gea. Torres would have found himself through on goal were it not for a fantastic clearance by Patrice Evra, but with the strikers current goalscoring form this wouldnt necessarily be disastrous for United anyway. Manchester United added a second in the 37th minute. A cross field ball found Nani who brought it down well and took a couple more touches before absolutely belting it at Petr Cechs goal. The ball was little more than a blur as it flew into the top corner, and its a wonder Cech even moved towards it at all, an unbelievable strike from the winger. Ramires managed to direct a shot towards goal as a Cole cross wasnt cleared by United. It went over the bar however and never looked too troubling. This was the story of Chelseas day so far they had created chances but never looked like scoring, whereas the clinical United had had only a handful of shots but converted two. They then added another on the cusp of half time; Phil Jones played a one-two with Rooney before playing in Nani. The wingers flick didnt really come off but Jones battled well and forced a clearance from John Terry that eventually fell into the path of Wayne Rooney. The striker made no mistake from close range. United went at half time 3-0 ahead despite Chelsea probably having the better of the game. The difference between the two sides however was Chelseas inability to score compared to Uniteds free scoring form. HALF TIMENicolas Anelka was introduced at half time, replacing Frank Lampard after a quiet game from the midfielder. The Frenchmans first touch was a fantastic reverse through ball to Fernando Torres in the first minute of the second half. The striker ran through to flick it past David de Gea - a shade of the former Liverpool strikers old form, and a lifeline for the visitors. Anelka then tried to create a chance for Juan Mata, lofting a searching ball forward that the Spaniard couldnt quite bring under his spell. Mata then got a strike on target, beating Evra before firing it low and hard at de Geas near post, the keeper did well to turn it round the post. Next, a remarkable couple of minutes Nani demonstrated his ridiculous shooting ability by beating three players and blasting it goalwards. It cannoned back off the bar but the winger regained possession and ran through. He was brought down by compatriot Jose Bosingwa, and Phil Dowd pointed to the spot. It was unlucky for the Chelsea defender who really seemed to have taken the ball. Wayne Rooney stepped up to take the kick, and despite every spectator assuming it would be a fourth for the Red Devils, he slipped as he ran up skewing it well wide to stunned silence from the Old Trafford crowd. Romelu Lukaku was introduced for Daniel Sturridge and had a chance as he connected with a Juan Mata cross but Evra got enough on it to deflect it over. It initially looked a mismatch as Evra marked the towering Belgian, but he had come out on top in the first clash between the two. Fernando Torres had two quickfire chances to get one back for the Blues, he spun past Carrick before beating Evans and firing at goal, but de Gea got down well to save. The rebound fell to Torres though but he blasted the volley over. The Spaniard seemed to finally be finding his feet again great play by Torres. Branislav Ivanovic hit a well struck long range effort that went wide after the United defence opened up for him. It was Chelseas 19th attempt on goal compared to Uniteds 8. The oft repeated cliché of Champions playing poorly and winning appeared as relevant as ever. Wayne Rooney hit the post as he got just enough on Evras cross to scuff it goalwards. Javier Hernandez pounced on the rebound but could only find the side netting. In the process he took a nasty challenge from Ashley Cole to the ankle. Phil Dowd booked the defender but awarded no penalty a curious decision from the referee. Dimitar Berbatov was given a rare run-out; he couldnt quite get on the end of a Nani cross however despite throwing his body at it. Fernando Torres cut a sorrowful figure as he missed the easiest chance he will ever get. He sprung the United defence before rounding David de Gea with some quick feet. With an open goal ahead of him and no-one around him, the Spaniard inexplicably completely missed the target from a couple of yards out to the horror of the travelling Blues fans and the delight of the United faithful. One of the worst misses you will ever see. Wayne Rooney found himself through in acres of space after being played through by Ashley Young. He unselfishly played it across to Berbatov, but the pass was a poor one and Ashley Cole had time to run back and clear it off the line. The game ended with United two goals to the good, but Chelsea and Fernando Torres in particular will be rueing their golden chance to get back into the game. United were happy however, they were now alone at the top by two points due to Fulhams comeback against Manchester CityReferee: Phil Dowd Man Utd (4-4-2) De Gea, Smalling (Valencia, 62) Jones, Evans, Evra, Nani, Fletcher, Anderson (Carrick, 62), Young, Rooney, Hernandez (Berbatov, 79) Chelsea (4-3-3) Cech, Bosingwa, Ivanovic, Terry, Cole, Ramires, Meireles (Mikel, 79), Lampard (Anelka, 45), Sturridge (Lukaku, 68), Torres, Mata