Match Report - Manchester United 3-1 Chelsea

Competition: Premier League
Kick-Off & Date: 4pm, Sunday, 18th September 2011
Venue: Old Trafford, Manchester (Home)
Attendance: 75,455


Manchester United took Chelsea to the cleaners on Sunday, with a 3-1 win that could so easily have been more. The Premier League Champions were a different class, as Chris Smalling, Luis Nani and Wayne Rooney all nailed The Blues to the cross at a packed Old Trafford. Andre Villas-Boas' side were let off the hook when Rooney made a rare error from the penalty spot, but a second half goal from Fernando Torres - another rarity - was merely a consolation...

Sir Alex Ferguson placed David De Gea in goal, as he said he would before kick-off, with Chris Smalling, Phil Jones, Jonny Evans and Patrice Evra filling in at the back. Starting in midfield were Darren Fletcher and Oliveira Anderson, while Luis Nani and Ashley Young were on wing-watch once again. Javier 'Chicharito' Hernandez partnered arguably the world's most in-form footballer in Wayne Rooney up-front. A familiar and trusted look to the first XI. 

And it didn't take long for United to get going. Last season, Chicharito had scored within seconds and this time around it was Chris Smalling who headed the opening goal via Ash Young's superb free-kick delivery from the left-hand side, happening on 8 minutes. This after David De Gea had to be on his toes when Ramires Santos tested United's resolve for the first time. But it was The Reds who led after a couple of minutes, thanks to Smalling's solid noggin'.

United's early goal propelled Chelsea into action, but in comparison to the home side they were shabby in the final quarter of their build-up. Fernando Torres, Branislav Ivanovic and Frank Lampard all had weak efforts on goal, but De Gea was called into action when Ramires tried his luck again. Danny Sturridge wasn't doing his side justice up-front, but new gaffer Andre Villas-Boas didn't help as he was prancing around on the touchline like a ballerina.  

Luis Nani was doing much of the same as AVB - but it was his dancing that mattered - collecting Jonny Evans' pass, advancing towards the goal and unleashing an almighty screamer into the top left corner of Petr Cech's goals. Surely a contender for goal of the season already, and at just 24 years of age and with 4 goals this season, Nani is only going to get better and better. But there was not much anybody could do better than his goal on 37 minutes. 

The Red Devils were now firmly on top, putting an end to the spell of possesion Chelsea had after Smalling's opening goal. It was still end-to-end though, and if there was one frailty in United's set-up it was in the midfield area, who trotted far too much forward up the field, before losing the ball and leaving their original positions defenceless. Luckily though, our attackers acted as a defence themselves by charging at the Chelsea backline again and again.   

United kept the Old Trafford faithful on their feet, and just approaching the half-time mark, Phil Jones' forward run was deflected via John Terry and then Nani before landing with Rooney who calmly side-footed past Cech for his 9th goal of the Barclays Premier League season, with just 5 games played. It was a sucker-punch for Chelsea, who trailed Manchester's pride and joy 3-0 going down the tunnels at the interval. Could AVB inspire them ?

The answer on 46 minutes was yes, as Nicolas Anelka crafted a through ball to Fernando Torres, who dinked over De Gea to hand Chelsea - or Chelski, as the Stretford End were referring to them as - a lifeline. Juan Mata came close, but The Blues' early second half goal woke The Reds up and they roared on. Nani smashed the crossbar from outside the box, before continuing his run into it and being fouled by Jose Bosingwa. Penalty. 

Referee Phil Dowd didn't punish the offender any further, as Rooney stepped-up as he always does. 4-1 you thought - but no - Wazza slipped just as he pulled-back to take the spot kick, and there was no going back as he blasted the ball into the stands. Not to worry though, United were still sitting pretty with a 2-goal cushion, and it was nothing as fatal as John Terry's alike mistake that cost the Londoners their precious Champions League in 2008, which we won. 

Antonio Valencia and Michael Carrick replaced Chris Smalling and Oliveira Anderson, as Chelsea attempted to lesser the margin. The visitors introduced their own sub, Romelu Lukaku, who almost scored only for Pat Evra to dive in and tackle the young striker. Then, Phil Dowd made a meal of himself when he booked Ashley Cole for a disgraceful challenge on Javier Hernandez in the box, yet failed to award a penalty. It should have been red and a spot kick.

All this came after Rooney was denied by the woodwork, and the man himself could have got another only to cue to Dimitar Berbatov (Chicharito's replacement) unselfishly, although Berba's effort was cleared off the line. But the best was saved for last, as Fernando Torres had a golden opportunity to turn the tables and narrow United's lead to just one goal, but after rounding De Gea skilfully he managed to scuff his shot and the ball dripped past the empty goal !

A master-class from United, a comedy from Chelsea. 

 
United Team: David De Gea, Phil Jones, Chris Smalling (Antonio Valencia '62), Jonny Evans, Patrice Evra, Ashley Young, Luis Nani, Darren Fletcher, Oliveira Anderson (Michael Carrick '63), Wayne Rooney, Javier Hernandez (Dimitar Berbatov '79).

Goals: Smalling '8, Nani '37, Rooney '45
Bookings: Antonio Valencia '80, Darren Fletcher '85

• Video Highlights: United 3-1 Chelsea