Chelsea Comeback Bury United Alive
David Luiz and Drogba celebrating Brazilian's first goal (Foto: eurosport.com)
The real United was the one from the first half. The real Chelsea was the one from the second part. Carlo Ancelotti’s side stunned Manchester last night at the Stamford Bridge after managing to provide a two-goal comeback to send the Devils beaten for the third time in the last four league meetings.
Rooney opened the score for Sir Alex Ferguson’s side in the 30th minute, but the Blues’ second half play seemed to discourage the leaders who couldn’t reach Czech’s net too often. Newly arrived on Stamford, David Luiz leveled the score in the 54th minute, while Lampard converted a late penalty that buried United alive.
It’s been both an electrifying and tense game with both sides creating several clear chances. Ramires was the first to drag the attention in the 13th minute. The 23-year-old Brazilian earned a yellow card following a tough challenge on Carrick. Rooney brought the first lead in the 29th minute. Nani fed the striker with a slow pass outside the box, Rooney made a short pirouette to strike it home past blinded Czech. Chelsea’s reply came ten minutes later. Torres won a free-kick on the right with Lampard assuming the responsibility. Blues co-captain opted for a shot on goal which troubled Van der Sar who couldn’t make the clearance. The ball rebounded into Ivanovic chest but ti was Vidic to strike it away.
(Foto: eurosport.com)
Untied’s Serbian captain would receive a yellow in the 44th minute after challenging Essien on the verge of the box. Ashley Cole took the free-kick but the ball went just wide.
The second half found Chelsea playing more aggressive and putting much more pressure. As result, David Luiz made it 1-1 in the 54th minute. Essien sent a long cross from the left which found Ivanovic heading it towards the unmarked Brazilian who thundered half a volley past Van der Sar from ten yards or so. Luiz would receive his first yellow just five minutes later for a clumsy challenge on Rooney. Essien has also been booked for a rough intervention on Evra.
Chelsea’s second goal came in the 79th minute. Zhirkov received the ball inside the box but was immediately blocked by Smalling. Penalty and the Blues were one step from a huge and long-awaited victory. Lampard took the responsibility, thundering the ball into the roof of the net past the Dutch keeper. 2-1 and things looked clear as possible. The end of the game found Vidic getting the red card for a foul on Ramires. Four minutes of additional have been added but it was Drogba and the same Ramires to waste two minutes or so around the corner area.
The Blues climbed fourth, while United are now just four points above their main followers Arsenal. Carlo Ancelotti’s side have 48 points, Manchester City 50 and Arsenal 56. They will next play Blackpool, while Alex Ferguson’s side meet Liverpool next Sunday.
Both Carlo Ancelloti and Alex Ferguson used their three substitutions. The Italian manager introduced Drogba, Bosingwa and Zhirkov for Anelka, David Luiz and Malouda, while Ferguson replaced Evra, Scholes and Hernandez with Fabio, Giggs and Berbatov.
Chelsea – Cech; Cole, Terry, David Luiz, Ivanovic; Essien; Malouda, Lampard, Ramires; Torres, Anelka. Reserves: R. Turnbull, D. Drogba, J. Mikel, J. McEachran, S. Kalou, Y. Zhirkov, J. Bosingwa.
Manchester United – Van der Sar; O’Shea, Smalling, Vidic, Evra; Carrick; Fletcher, Scholes; Hernandez, Nani; Rooney. Reserves: D. Gibson, Rafael, Fabio, W. Brown, R. Giggs, D. Berbatov, T. Kuszczak.11
