The departure of Jose Mourinho stunned most. To end the tenure of your clubs most successful manager is more than just a brave decision, it is a defining moment in a clubs history. It is too early to tell what this will mean for Chelsea FC in the long term. But questions will now surface about the new manager, about how committed the Chelsea players really are to the club, which most of them joined because of the manager and the enormous wages on offer. Who knows. But we are left to wonder if the wheeels now fall off completely, whether players now leave and if this London club will once again revert to being in Arsenal's shadow. Certainly, everyone (particularly the media) will miss Jose Mourinho but no one more than Chelsea. Without Mourinho Chelsea lack aura. They will continue to lack invention and style but more worryingly for their supporters, they look like they now lack direction and that incredible determination not to lose too.
In truth, Manchester United failed to sparkle in long periods. There were good displays from Tevez, who looked strong in the holding the ball up and played a delightful back heel to Scholes, who incidentally was fouled in the area. Rooney is clearly on his way back and, like Ronaldo, put in a strong performance, as did Carrick. However, it is the pairing of Vidic and Ferdinand that really caught the eye.
As for Chelsea, it might be flippant to say that they looked like Bolton without Anelka but they were not far off. The sending off of John Obi Mikel (it couldn't happen to a nicer bloke) was harsh but he needs to learn how to tackle without going in showing studs. You can blame the referee to an extent but players know the rules and put themselves at risk with such challenges. In my view, it was a stupid challenge that deserved to be punished. It did have a detrimental effect on the game as it meant Chelsea sat back and United were less able to attack on the break. However, Chelsea's decision to play Mikel, Essien and Makelele looked a poor one. All our good individual players but when all three play, Chelsea have power but no panache. Never before have I seen Essien play so badly.
Chelsea were finally opened up by a wonderful pass from Giggs that was met by the diving head of Tevez, leaving Cech with no chance and leaving John Terry to once again question his positioning. Click here to see the goal. And for all those whinging Chelsea fans who said the referee allowed the game to play on when time was up, they might want to remember that the number of minutes is a minimum amount of time that gets played.
United's advantage was doubled late on. The late penalty decision may have seen Saha make the most of the contact but it was a clumsy tackle by Ben Haim, who continues to look the average defender most of us thought he was at Bolton. Saha cooly dispatched the penalty to leave Chelsea and Avram Grant facing the music. It was a penalty, as was the one Saha never got at Anfield last season. And as was the one in the first half that saw Joe Cole bring down Patrice Evra. Cole not only got away with the penalty claim but also a booking, which considering his dangerous and deliberate challenge on Ronaldo, should have seen him join Mikel in the dressing room.
Grant may have not had long to stamp his mark on the team but then on this performance and the attitude of some of Chelsea's players, I can't seem him lasting the distance. Furthermore, I don't see Chelsea winning the league.
In truth, Manchester United failed to sparkle in long periods. There were good displays from Tevez, who looked strong in the holding the ball up and played a delightful back heel to Scholes, who incidentally was fouled in the area. Rooney is clearly on his way back and, like Ronaldo, put in a strong performance, as did Carrick. However, it is the pairing of Vidic and Ferdinand that really caught the eye.
As for Chelsea, it might be flippant to say that they looked like Bolton without Anelka but they were not far off. The sending off of John Obi Mikel (it couldn't happen to a nicer bloke) was harsh but he needs to learn how to tackle without going in showing studs. You can blame the referee to an extent but players know the rules and put themselves at risk with such challenges. In my view, it was a stupid challenge that deserved to be punished. It did have a detrimental effect on the game as it meant Chelsea sat back and United were less able to attack on the break. However, Chelsea's decision to play Mikel, Essien and Makelele looked a poor one. All our good individual players but when all three play, Chelsea have power but no panache. Never before have I seen Essien play so badly.
Chelsea were finally opened up by a wonderful pass from Giggs that was met by the diving head of Tevez, leaving Cech with no chance and leaving John Terry to once again question his positioning. Click here to see the goal. And for all those whinging Chelsea fans who said the referee allowed the game to play on when time was up, they might want to remember that the number of minutes is a minimum amount of time that gets played.
United's advantage was doubled late on. The late penalty decision may have seen Saha make the most of the contact but it was a clumsy tackle by Ben Haim, who continues to look the average defender most of us thought he was at Bolton. Saha cooly dispatched the penalty to leave Chelsea and Avram Grant facing the music. It was a penalty, as was the one Saha never got at Anfield last season. And as was the one in the first half that saw Joe Cole bring down Patrice Evra. Cole not only got away with the penalty claim but also a booking, which considering his dangerous and deliberate challenge on Ronaldo, should have seen him join Mikel in the dressing room.
Grant may have not had long to stamp his mark on the team but then on this performance and the attitude of some of Chelsea's players, I can't seem him lasting the distance. Furthermore, I don't see Chelsea winning the league.
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