Manchester United have suffered a 4-1 penalty defeat at the hands of title rivals Chelsea. The match was a entertaining affair which resulted in a 2-2 draw. It was also a game of two half with United controlling the first half and Chelsea the second half.
Chelsea started the stronger of the two sides with Branislav Ivanovic having a effort cleared off the line and on to the bar by Patrice Evra. Portuguese winger Nani produced a moment of brilliance in the 10th minute. The mercurial star turned and ran at the Chelsea defence before lashing the ball past Petr Cech.
Petr Cech then produced two superb saves, first from Park Ji-Sung and then from Dimitar Berbatov. United couldn’t find a second goal and were made to pay in the second-half by Chelsea.
The Blues came out like a different side and got their reward in the 52nd minute. Florent Malouda’s cross headed home by defender Ricardo Carvalho, after Didier Drogba collided with Ben Foster. The second goal was controversial to say the least. Frank Lampard scored from 16 yards, after Didier Drogba produced a slide-rule pass to the England international, but the controversy was that Patrice Evra was lying injured as Chelsea broke and they took advantage. Despite protestations the goal stood.
United left it till the 90th minute to equalise, Wayne Rooney dinking the ball over Petr Cech after a superb Ryan Giggs through ball, the goal taking the game to penalties. Ryan Giggs and Patrice Evra failed to score from the spot but Frank Lampard, Michael Ballack, Didier Drogba and Salomon Kalou all scored for Chelsea to clinch victory for Carlo Ancelotti’s side.
