When the dusts settles from this fixture it is clear to me that it is Manchester United that will be the happier. Yes there was an opportunity for United to make a statement and to extend the gap to six points but only those pushing for TV ratings would not see that this ‘opportunity’ actually exists with every fixture played. It is worth noting that Chelsea has arguably the tougher of the coming fixtures. They face a tough and examining fixture against Bolton tonight and then a mouth-watering tie against Arsenal. For me, United will only miss their chance if they do not follow up the result on Sunday by seeing off Everton and then Middlesbrough this week.
United clearly had the better of the first half. United suffocated Chelsea in key areas and looked the better team going forward, with Ronaldo v Cole the most intriguing match-up. The Portuguese flyer was well watched by Cole but most of the time he had at least two players trying to stop him. It was Ronaldo who put in the first clear effort on goal with a well-struck freekick that forced Cudicini to turn the ball over the bar. The crowd were lifted. But more was to follow, as Carrick’s sliding interception was soon at Giggsy’s feet. He looked up and made delivered a decisive pass to Rooney who span inside looked up and delivered an inch perfect pass to the feet of Saha, leaving Carvalhio to turn away and provide a foot of space that invited the shot. Saha coolly moved the ball onto his left foot, looked up and fired a bending shot along the floor in off the post past the diving Cudicini. United had their breakthrough and the goal they deserved. Lampard was not allowed to drop off and receive the ball and Makelele, normally so noticeable, was neither effective in preventing attacks or in building them for Chelsea. Chelsea were left to shoot from long range, with Geremi’s drive from right back being the only memorable shot on target. Ferdinand and Vidic manfully handled Drogba and Shevchenko.
Chelsea came out in the second half and began to assert them influence on the game. The substitution of Geremi for Robben stating their intent, although Robben’s influence on the game was arguably summed up by Mourinho berating him for a cross field ball that failed to meet its target by some distance. Instead it was the powerhouse that is Michael Essien playing now at right back that drove forward into the space created from Giggs moving more centrally that helped Chelsea get back into the game. His crossing, running and sheer determination resulting in a cross that was deflected out for a corner. Lampard curled the ball into the area and Carvalho rose an inch higher that Heinze to direct a powerful header goal-bound, which Saha tried to head clear. In doing so, the ball came off the underside of the bar and prevented Van der Saar from attempting to save the situation. In fairness, Chelsea’s possession against a flagging United deserved an equaliser. United continued to create chances that suggested a second goal. Heinze put in a great cross that was taken on the chest by Ronaldo but the ball ran just the wrong side of the waiting Saha. When the whistle finally came it was clear that the race for the title is still very much on for both clubs.
Ratings:
Van der Saar – 7/10
Neville – 7/10
Ferdinand – 8/10
Vidic - 8/10
Heinze – 7/10
Ronaldo – 8/10
Carrick – 8/10
Scholes – 7/10
Giggs – 7/10
Rooney – 7/10
Saha – 7/10
United clearly had the better of the first half. United suffocated Chelsea in key areas and looked the better team going forward, with Ronaldo v Cole the most intriguing match-up. The Portuguese flyer was well watched by Cole but most of the time he had at least two players trying to stop him. It was Ronaldo who put in the first clear effort on goal with a well-struck freekick that forced Cudicini to turn the ball over the bar. The crowd were lifted. But more was to follow, as Carrick’s sliding interception was soon at Giggsy’s feet. He looked up and made delivered a decisive pass to Rooney who span inside looked up and delivered an inch perfect pass to the feet of Saha, leaving Carvalhio to turn away and provide a foot of space that invited the shot. Saha coolly moved the ball onto his left foot, looked up and fired a bending shot along the floor in off the post past the diving Cudicini. United had their breakthrough and the goal they deserved. Lampard was not allowed to drop off and receive the ball and Makelele, normally so noticeable, was neither effective in preventing attacks or in building them for Chelsea. Chelsea were left to shoot from long range, with Geremi’s drive from right back being the only memorable shot on target. Ferdinand and Vidic manfully handled Drogba and Shevchenko.
Chelsea came out in the second half and began to assert them influence on the game. The substitution of Geremi for Robben stating their intent, although Robben’s influence on the game was arguably summed up by Mourinho berating him for a cross field ball that failed to meet its target by some distance. Instead it was the powerhouse that is Michael Essien playing now at right back that drove forward into the space created from Giggs moving more centrally that helped Chelsea get back into the game. His crossing, running and sheer determination resulting in a cross that was deflected out for a corner. Lampard curled the ball into the area and Carvalho rose an inch higher that Heinze to direct a powerful header goal-bound, which Saha tried to head clear. In doing so, the ball came off the underside of the bar and prevented Van der Saar from attempting to save the situation. In fairness, Chelsea’s possession against a flagging United deserved an equaliser. United continued to create chances that suggested a second goal. Heinze put in a great cross that was taken on the chest by Ronaldo but the ball ran just the wrong side of the waiting Saha. When the whistle finally came it was clear that the race for the title is still very much on for both clubs.
Ratings:
Van der Saar – 7/10
Neville – 7/10
Ferdinand – 8/10
Vidic - 8/10
Heinze – 7/10
Ronaldo – 8/10
Carrick – 8/10
Scholes – 7/10
Giggs – 7/10
Rooney – 7/10
Saha – 7/10
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