Manchester United Cruises pass Chelsea - 12th January 2009

United v Chelsea - Old Trafford

It was a night where Rio, Carrick, Ando and Scholes didn't start, eventhough all of them were fit to play. I think Fergie opted for a more no-nonsense lineup putting Park and Fletch in midfield.

It was a fair affair at the start of the match. Everything went lively at 20 minutes. We saw a penalty rejected for United after Ronaldo's cross hits Ashley Cole's hands just around the box line, you have Rooney's pusposedly succesful attempt in getting Bosingwa a yellow card, Carvalho holding onto Ronaldo but manages to get a free kick in his way, Berbatov's shot stopped by Cech and all the dramas in between. Classic United/Chelsea encounter.

United had the best chance on the 45th minute when Rooney and Giggs took a short corner, the ball reaches Ronaldo's head and it goes pass Cech. United should have been 1-0 up by then but the linesman flagged the play to be retaken. Rooney was so furious but United kept their heads up and took the corner again. At that time, the end product prevailed for United again, with Vidic heading in United's first goal of the game. The only whistle from the ref was a goal scored signal.

The champions went in the second half blazing just like how the ended the first. And after hard pressings and some persistence, United made it 2 up on the 63rd minutes thanks to some neat play by Ronaldo and Evra down the left flank with Evra's cross reaching Rooney's boots. Scolari straight away took Bosingwa off from that position, who pretty much left Chelsea unguarded for that second United goal.

On the 80th minute, Carrick came in for Ryan Giggs, who may have well played his best game yet so far this season, commanding the center of the field brilliantly. Ronaldo could have made it 3 for United, but his goal on the 83rd minute was disallowed for offside. Millimitres I tell you. Instead, turning provider, Ronaldo's fierce free kick was met by Berbatov on 86th minute for United's well deserved third and the crucial win.

Still two games in hand to Liverpool, United is catching up to the current leaders, with only 5 points difference. With wins against Wigan and Bolton in the coming week, United could reach top spot before the end of nect week.

Manchester United 3 v Chelsea 0