Man Utd 0-1 Chelsea: Blues move into third place
Chelsea secured a crucial 1-0 win over Manchester United courtesy of a late winner in their Premier League clash at Old Trafford.
A lacklustre game at Old Trafford was drifting towards a goalless draw when Juan Mata collected a pass from Oscar and dispatched a low shot that took a slight deflection off Phil Jones on its way into the bottom-right corner.
United made five changes with Wayne Rooney dropping out of the team and Anders Lindegaard given a rare chance in goal. Meanwhile, Chelsea fielded nine players who featured in the Europa League semi-final win over Basel.
Unsurprisingly it was the Blues who made all the early running and Demba Ba was presented with guilt-edged chance inside ten minutes, but his wild air-swing from six yards let the hosts off the hook.
However, the Red Devils finished the first half the stronger side. First Ryan Giggs prised open the defence with a lovely pass for Van Persie, who after bisecting the two centre-backs manoeuvred the ball just wide of the post with his first touch. He in turn teed up Giggs for a volley that flew wide and Van Persie then saw a firm header clasped by Cech just before the break.
The second half was similarly underwhelming, with Frank Lampard blazing over for Chelsea and United substitute Rooney heading over the bar at the other end.
Mata finally settled things with three minutes to play with a low shot that nicked off Jones and trundled past Lindegaard, before Rafael was sent off for kicking out at countryman David Luiz.
Mata's goal means that Chelsea will now go into Wednesday's crunch clash against Tottenham Hotspur at Stamford Bridge with a three-point lead over their London rivals, who are bidding to crash into the top four.
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Sir Alex Ferguson admitted that he had "expected a better performance".
"There is always an expectation that we should do better. We expected a better performance. After the goal we had no time to get back in it. After that the game was start-stop," he told reporters after the game.
Chelsea interim manager Rafael Benitez has expressed his delight with his side after their victory.
"This kind of game when you play for something like us is difficult and to be composed when you have chances is not easy," Benitez said.
"I enjoyed the game because the team had the balance and control. To play against them and beat them at Old Trafford is something you enjoy."
Chelsea face Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday.
About 1st4FootballTickets.com: Thousands of football tickets are on sale on Europe's biggest football ticketing website: We have Premier League tickets available such as Arsenal tickets, Newcastle United tickets and Tottenham Hotspur tickets. Last but not least we also have FA Cup Final tickets available.
A lacklustre game at Old Trafford was drifting towards a goalless draw when Juan Mata collected a pass from Oscar and dispatched a low shot that took a slight deflection off Phil Jones on its way into the bottom-right corner.
United made five changes with Wayne Rooney dropping out of the team and Anders Lindegaard given a rare chance in goal. Meanwhile, Chelsea fielded nine players who featured in the Europa League semi-final win over Basel.
Unsurprisingly it was the Blues who made all the early running and Demba Ba was presented with guilt-edged chance inside ten minutes, but his wild air-swing from six yards let the hosts off the hook.
However, the Red Devils finished the first half the stronger side. First Ryan Giggs prised open the defence with a lovely pass for Van Persie, who after bisecting the two centre-backs manoeuvred the ball just wide of the post with his first touch. He in turn teed up Giggs for a volley that flew wide and Van Persie then saw a firm header clasped by Cech just before the break.
The second half was similarly underwhelming, with Frank Lampard blazing over for Chelsea and United substitute Rooney heading over the bar at the other end.
Mata finally settled things with three minutes to play with a low shot that nicked off Jones and trundled past Lindegaard, before Rafael was sent off for kicking out at countryman David Luiz.
Mata's goal means that Chelsea will now go into Wednesday's crunch clash against Tottenham Hotspur at Stamford Bridge with a three-point lead over their London rivals, who are bidding to crash into the top four.
Buy Chelsea Europa League Final Tickets: Benfica vs Chelsea tickets online now!!
Sir Alex Ferguson admitted that he had "expected a better performance".
"There is always an expectation that we should do better. We expected a better performance. After the goal we had no time to get back in it. After that the game was start-stop," he told reporters after the game.
Chelsea interim manager Rafael Benitez has expressed his delight with his side after their victory.
"This kind of game when you play for something like us is difficult and to be composed when you have chances is not easy," Benitez said.
"I enjoyed the game because the team had the balance and control. To play against them and beat them at Old Trafford is something you enjoy."
Chelsea face Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday.
About 1st4FootballTickets.com: Thousands of football tickets are on sale on Europe's biggest football ticketing website: We have Premier League tickets available such as Arsenal tickets, Newcastle United tickets and Tottenham Hotspur tickets. Last but not least we also have FA Cup Final tickets available.
