Chelsea cameback from a goal down at half-time to win 2-1 against Manchester United at the Stamford Bridge, throwing the Premier League title race wide open in a highly entertaining game filled with great goals, controversies, disagreements, sending-offs and escapes! Click start to read through the story of the game, assisted with a slideshow.
In the pre-match formalities, the two people who dominated the newspaper columns, for reasons involving a gun and an elbow, have a laugh. No prizes for guessing about what! ReutersFrom the off, both teams went at each other, though after 10 minutes, United imposed themselves on the home side. However, the front two for United, Rooney and Hernandez, had a hard time coping with Chelsea's January signing David Luiz, who put in a man-of-the-match performance with a solid display partnering club captain John Terry.Despite Luiz impressing though, United were the much better side in the first half. Rooney, Hernandez and Nani frequently broke through the Chelsea wings and delivered dangerous crosses, which had Terry and Luiz backtracking on many occasions. ReutersTheir superiority meant Manchester United didn't have to wait too long for their opener. It was another masterclass from Rooney, with a short and sweet shot from outside the box having been allowed the time and space by a ball-watching Chelsea defence.The low, crisp shot beat Cech at his near post giving the visitors the lead. And deservedly so. After an encouraging first ten minutes, Chelsea had grown to be sluggish and they paid for their lack in concentration. ReutersThe goal made for a nervy game, with a lot of hard tackles being thrown about. One such tackle led to a tussle Nani and Ivanovic. However, they were quickly pulled apart by referee Mark Atkinson.Chelsea then had their best chance of the first half when Lampard's high-velocity free kick saw Van der Sar tip it away only as far Ivanovic next to the goal line. The 40-year-old Dutch keeper, however, showed impeccable reactions, preventing the ball from going in with a second save - an upward jab, before managing to claw it away from Ivanovic's feet, allowing a defender to clear.Those string of saves would have had United manager Sir Alex Ferguson hoping the keeper could prolong his career since he will retire at the end of this season.ReutersThe second half began with Chelsea tentatively going forward. One such venture saw them win a corner, and though the set piece itself came to nothing, Essien found the ball in midfield and crossed it back in for Ivanovic and Luiz who had remained behind. Ivanovic managed to guide it towards Luiz, and the 23-year-old defender, showing all the flair of a Brazilian forward, kept his powerful volley low from 15 yards.It provoked incredible scenes of celebration from Chelsea and Luiz. It the was his first goal for his new club since his £25m move from Benefica in January.
The goal gave Chelsea some confidence and from thereon, they looked much threatening going forward. ReutersLuiz was soon substituted though, despite an impressive performance both up and down the field. It was for his own safety as he had gone into the book for a late challenge on Rooney and was lucky to escape the notice of the referee when he went in deliberately late on Rooney, blocking his run away from play.Chelsea brought on Drogba for Anleka and Zhirkov for Malouda while Manchester United brought on Giggs and Berbatov for Scholes and the ineffectual Hernandez.The presence of Drogba up front gave Chelsea the physical dimension they had missed in the first half, and the powerful Ivorian troubled Vidic to no end. ReutersWith Zhirkov and Drogba playing their parts, Chelsea found much more scope for attacks. The match's decisive moment came when Lampard's set the onrushing Zhirkov through but the Russian was brought down by Chris Smalling, who in all fairness couldn't have done anything else. However, a penalty it was and with it, a chance for Chelsea to gain a crucial win.Vice-captain Frank Lampard stepped up. He slammed right through the middle and into the roof of the net, giving Van der Sar no chance to save it. Crazy celebrations ensued but the focus was back on Chelsea.Despite the lead, Chelsea continued attacking with 10 minutes remaining and Zhirkov had a sweet volley deflect off the post. In the dying stages of the game, a frustrated Vidic earned a red card for a second bookable offence. That proved to be the last significant detail of the game as Drogba and Ramires effectually wasted the four minutes of stoppage time added on.ReutersThe win pushed Chelsea into fourth position in the table. It is their second win a row, after their 2-0 triumph at Copenhagen last Wednesday. However, this remains a much more impressive performance and the cheers can be heard all the way to Arsenal. Why?Because, the loss for United means they're just four points ahead of Arsenal despite having played a game more. The title race is wide open!Reuters
