Manchester United – Chelsea

1. Hi and welcome to Soccernet's coverage of Champions Chelsea's clash with Manchester United at Old Trafford. I'm Alex, and I'm excited.

2. Chelsea bring a 40-match unbeaten Premiership run in to the game, hoping to wreck Sir Alex Ferguson's 19th anniversary as Manchester United boss.

3. Team news: Scholes returns from his mid-week suspension for United, while Jose Mourinho makes three changes, recalling Asier del Horno after injury and also Damien Duff and Didier Drogba.

4. "This is the one", a classic Stone Roses track belts out of the speaker system as the players line up in the tunnel.

5. Chelsea kick off this massive match. They play in a strip of all-blue, with the hosts in their traditional red shirts and white shorts.

6. 1'

   Fletcher hoofs a high ball out to the left wing, towards where Ronaldo waits, but Ferreira heads out of play.

7. 2'

   There is, as you might expect, a superb atmosphere inside the ground. It's a sell-out, and the United fans are really getting behind their side.

8. 3'

   Both sides seem to be playing with a 4-3-3 formation, which will mean that the midfield will be very narrow and tightly-contested.

9. 3'

   SHOT! Ronaldo has the first shot of the afternoon, a right-foot effort from 25 yards that flies high and wide.

10. 4'

    A slip from Ferreira allows Ronaldo the chance to break down the left wing, but the full-back shows great pace to get back and put a tackle in before Ronaldo could really threaten.

11. 5'

    Fletcher tries to slide a pass in to the feet of Van Nistelrooy on the edge of the area, but Ferreira reads the ball and intercepts.

12. 6'

    Ronaldo wins the first free-kick of the afternoon when he is brought down in midfield by Makelele.

13. 6'

    Drogba shows some good strength down the right, but there is no-one in the area for him to aim his cross to, and Ferdinand mops up.

14. 6'

    SLOPPY! Ronaldo gets past his marker on the flank, but his left-foot cross is too deep and flies behind for a goal-kick. He should have done much better there.

15. 7'

    OOOH! Lampard fires a superb pass over the top of the United defence; Drogba controls the ball brilliantly, but his attempted clip lands in the hands of Van der Sar.

16. 8'

    United win a corner, but a combination of Ferreira and Drogba clear the danger.

17. 9'

    There are a few passes going astray in midfield in these early stages; it is so congested in there that players are finding it difficult to find their targets.

18. 10'

    CRUNCH! Smith slides in on Del Horno and is lucky to escape a booking from referee Poll after clipping the Spanish full-back's ankles.

19. 11'

    Wes Brown is sporting a very peculiar hair-style this afternoon; a sort of ginger afro.

20. 11'

    CORNER! Ronaldo wins his side's second corner when his attempted cross is deflected behind. Ronaldo sends it in, and Essien is forced to put his header behind for a second corner.

21. 12'

    This time Ronaldo curls a high ball in to the crowded box, but Cech is able to claim easily.

22. 13'

    "There's only one Keano!" the United fans sing. Not true; what about Robbie, the Spurs striker?

23. 14'

    Ronaldo collapses to the ground as he tries to run past Essien; he looks to the referee, who shakes his head.

24. 15'

    Scholes brings down Cole as the Chelsea man tried to pass him down the right wing. Free-kick, out on the right flank...

25. 15'

    ...CHANCE! Lampard curls the ball in, Del Horno loses Fletcher at the back post, but he is forced to slide to reach the ball and can only put the ball a yard wide of Van der Sar's post.

26. 16'

    United have had a little more of the possession in these early minutes, though it is the visitors that have had the two best chances.

27. 17'

    ALMOST! Scholes notices Van Nistelrooy in acres of space on the edge of the Chelsea penalty area as the Blue defence pushed out; the flag stays down, but the ball skips through to Cech.

28. 18'

    OOH! Rooney does brilliantly to get to the by-line and pick out Scholes on the edge of the penalty are with a low pass; the former England star meets the ball first-time, but his vicious shot flies inches past Cech's post.

29. 18'

    SHOT! Rooney collects the ball on the corner of the area, but he fires his right-foot shot a few yards over Cech's crossbar.

30. 19'

    It's been a strong start by the home side; they are beginning to dominate in midfield and getting the ball forward to Rooney and Van Nistelrooy with more regularity.

31. 20'

    Terry wins a crunching header with Fletcher on the half-way line as they contested Van der Sar's clearance.

32. 21'

    Ronaldo and Lampard tussle on the right-flank, even though the whistle had long-since gone for a United free-kick.

33. 22'

    Great tackle from Smith as he slides in and nicks the ball from Drogba as the strong forward headed towards the United box.

34. 23'

    WIDE! Duff sends over a cross which Essien meets at the near post, though he gets too much on the header and plants it well wide of the goal.

35. 24'

    Ronaldo and Rooney go for the same ball as they looked to start a United attack; a moment of confusion as neither picks up possession, and Chelsea dart in to steal back the ball.

36. 25'

    CRUNCH! Another tough tackle from Smith as he wins the ball from Cole in the centre-circle; he's shown a lot of desire in the opening half-hour.

37. 26'

    NEARLY! Silvestre sends a great ball over the top of the Chelsea defence, but Rooney's touch lets him down as he tries to control inside the penalty area, and the ball runs out of play.

38. 27'

    Ronaldo shows a trick or two as he goes down the right wing, but his low cross is met at the near post by Terry and the ball is put out for a throw.

39. 28'

    Brown takes an age over a throw, deep in his own half. GET ON WITH IT, SON!

40. 29'

    Cole does well to control Makelele's pass in to his feet; he lobs a high pass to the back post, where Drogba heads back across goal. United clear, but Chelsea keep the pressure on and eventually win a corner...

41. 29'

    ...Lampard chips the ball in to the middle, but Ferdinand meets it and United clear.

42. 30'

    Again, Ronaldo's end product lets him down as he breaks down the left and tries to find Rooney in the middle.

43. 31'

    GOAL! Old Trafford explodes as Ronaldo finally delivers; he clips a great cross to the back post, where Fletcher meets it and lofts a header over Cech.

44. 32'

    The crowd are on their feet and in ecstacy after Fletcher's header. Chelsea have a real test in front of them now.

45. 33'

    Roy Keane is spotted in the crowd; he looks very steely, and not in the least bit smug.

46. 34'

    I wouldn't expect Chelsea to panic after going a goal down; they are always capable of scoring. But they will need to improve if they are to get back in to the game.

47. 35'

    Del Horno's pass deflects off Fletcher and ends at the feet of Drogba inside the penalty are, but his touch is awful and the ball runs out for a goal-kick.

48. 36'

    Today marks Fletcher's 50th Premiership appearance; what a way to celebrate the fact - a goal that could end a 40-game unbeaten run.

49. 37'

    SO CLOSE! Lampard swings over a deep free-kick to the far post. Terry wins the header and loops it across goal, but it's just too far for Drogba and the ball runs out.

50. 38'

    Again, a deep cross to the far post causes United a problem or two; this time it's Ferreira's long ball, met by Duff, although Silvestre clears up.

51. 39'

    The United fans are roaring their side on, and jeering every mistake by the men in Blue; it really is a sensational atmosphere.

52. 40'

    Cole has a word or two to say to referee Poll after a free-kick decision goes against him on the edge of the centre-circle.

53. 41'

    BLOCKED! Smith's thunderous volley hits Makelele on the edge of the six-yard box. It was a really well-struck effort from the midfielder.

54. 42'

    SHOT! Drogba smashes a shot in to the side-netting from a tight angle. He would have been better served trying to hold the ball up and find a colleague.

55. 43'

    Chelsea have struggled to get going in this first half; if they are to get an equaliser, Mourinho is going to have to change something.

56. 44'

    The visitors have plenty of attacking options on the bench; Carlton Cole, Gudjohnsen and SWP can all change a game.

57. 45'

    Smith and Terry challenge for a bouncing ball; both leave their studs in, but it is Chelsea that win the decision.

58. 45'

    FREE-KICK: Scholes foul on Cole gives Lampard the chance to test Van der Sar from 30 yards...

59. 45'

    ..the ball is rolled to Lampard, but three United players are all over him as he strikes his shot, which he drags well wide of the near post.

60. 46'

    HALF-TIME: Fletcher gives United the advantage at the interval. Can the home side hold on to end Chelsea's incredible unbeaten run? Stay here to find out...

61. 45'

    Chelsea were out a full two mintues before United. Jose's words must have been short and sharp.

62. 45'

    United kick off the second period.

63. 46'

    Van Nistelrooy wins his side the first corner of the second half when he plays the ball off the legs of Gallas.

64. 47'

    The corner is taken quickly, short to Rooney, but Chelsea clear at the back post.

65. 47'

    BLOCKED! Duff does well to cut out to the left wing and pull a ball back to Cole, but his left-foot shot is blocked inside the penalty area.

66. 47'

    No changes were made at half-time, but this game has been played at a very high tempo; players might begin to tire as this half goes on.

67. 48'

    The United midfield are pressing their opponents really hard, and the visitors aren't really able to get the ball in to dangerous areas at the moment.

68. 49'

    MISTAKE! A Brown error leads to a Chelsea corner. It is half-cleared towards Lampard, who strikes goalwards. Silvestre sticks out a leg and the visitors win a second successive corner.

69. 50'

    Mourinho looks quite calm in the Chelsea dug-out; he said before the game that defeat here still wouldn't be the end of the world; his side would still hold a 10-point lead over United.

70. 51'

    Cole, Essien and Ferreira combine well down the right wing. The full-back sends over a good cross, Drogba tumbles in the area, but there are no real penalty shouts.

71. 52'

    United break at pace down the right, but Gallas shows great pace to get back and put the ball out for a throw.

72. 53'

    GREAT CHANCE! Rooney clips a good ball in towards Fletcher, who cushions a pass back to Van Nistelrooy. The Dutchman is ten yards out, but his first-time shot goes high over the bar.

73. 54'

    Chelsea prepare to make a change; Gudjohnsen is preparing to come on.

74. 55'

    SUB: Essien off, Gudjohnsen on. Perhaps a slight change in system from the visitors, with Gudjohnsen pushing up to support Drogba.

75. 56'

    OOH! JUST WIDE! Chelsea mount a good move as they break at pace. Duff feeds Gudjohnsen, who returns the ball to him inside the area. Duff swings wildly and misses it completely, but Drogba, on his backside, prods a left-foot shot that dribbles inches wide of the post.

76. 57'

    The game has really opened up in the second half; both sides are leaving gaps at the back and these are two excellent counter-attacking sides.

77. 58'

    Smith fouls Gudjohnsen, 35 yards out. Free-kick, and Smith is surely only one foul away from a booking.

78. 59'

    Drogba takes the free-kick, but he shows no composure whatsoever as he blasts the set-piece high over the bar.

79. 59'

    Drogba is booked for complaining too loudly at being pushed in the back as he challenged for a header.

80. 60'

    Great skill and strength from Van Nistelrooy as he holds off three Chelsea defenders and finds a team-mate, relieving the pressure on his side.

81. 61'

    OVER! Del Horno whips a low ball in to the middle. Cole steals in front of his marker, controls the ball but then blasts a left-foot shot over the bar.

82. 62'

    This has been an excellent response from the Champions; they have really taken the game to United in this second half, and look well capable of getting an equaliser.

83. 63'

    Smith is booked for pulling back Gudjohnsen as the Icelandic striker attempted to break past him in midfield.

84. 64'

    The free-kick is lofted in to the United area; Terry wins the header and knocks it down to Del Horno, but his attempted shot is blocked by Smith.

85. 65'

    United are being put under a lot of pressure at the moment; Chelsea are throwing players forward and United are struggling to keep possession on the rare occasions they win it back.

86. 65'

    Ronaldo is booked for kicking the ball away after another free-kick decision goes against the home team.

87. 65'

    Lampard fires the free-kick in to the area, and Ferdinand is forced to put the ball out for a corner.

88. 66'

    United half-clear the corner, but the ball is coming back in to their area with alarming ease; they are under intense pressure.

89. 66'

    Ferreira is booked for pulling back and then tripping Ronaldo as the Portuguse winger attempted to break free down the left wing.

90. 67'

    Now Fletcher is booked for voicing his disapproval at the linesman after the official spotted him pushing over Terry. The yellow cards are flying in at the moment.

91. 68'

    WHAT A SAVE! Van der Sar throws himself at the ball after Lampard had jumped on to a loose ball in the six-yard box. A crucial stop.

92. 69'

    Chelsea win a corner. Van der Sar comes through a crowd and punches half-clear, though the ball lands at Cole's feet. He strikes a shot goalwards, but it's blocked by the crowd.

93. 70'

    OOOH! Chelsea are running United ragged at the moment. Gudjohnsen does brilliantly in the build-up, Duff clips a ball in to the middle, but Del Horno's volley flies a foot or so over the bar.

94. 71'

    Ferguson is out of the dug-out trying to organise his side, but the Chelsea attacks are relentless at the moment.

95. 72'

    It seems only a matter of time before Chelsea get this equaliser; wave after wave of attacks are crashing against the United defensive wall.

96. 73'

    United finally have a spell on the ball; it's worked out to Fletcher, who drives a shot over the top of Cech's bar from 25 yards.

97. 74'

    Chelsea prepare to make another change, as SWP is summoned from his warm-ups and told to strip off.

98. 74'

    GREAT TACKLE! First Cole and then Lampard are allowed time to turn inside the penalty area, though Smith flies in to put in a crucial tackle.

99. 75'

    SUB: Cole off, SWP on. Another attacking change from the Chelsea manager, bringing on former Manchester City winger Wright-Phillips to add some pace to his attacks.

100. 76'

     Chelsea are just 15 minutes away from suffering their first Premiership defeat in 40 matches; the last time they lost was away to Manchester City, a little over a year ago.

101. 77'

     Rooney is being forced back in to a defensive role at the moment as Chelsea press high up the field.

102. 77'

     Fletcher gives away a free-kick, 40 yards out, on the right flank. Duff curls the ball in to the middle, but Brown puts his foot through it and clears.

103. 78'

     SUB: Cole on, Del Horno off. Chelsea make their third change as Mourinho goes for broke. Cole brings a piece of paper on to the pitch and hands it to Terry; presumably some reorganisational instructions.

104. 79'

     United seem to have weathered the worst of the Chelsea storm; their attacks are becoming a little less frequent and don't appear to be carrying quite the same threat.

105. 80'

     Brilliant play on the counter attack from Duff as he controls a high ball and flicks a perfect pass out to Gudjohnsen. Brown does well to get back and put a tackle in inside the area. Corner...

106. 80'

     ...But United cope with the danger well, and Van der Sar is able to claim SWP's chipped pass with some ease.

107. 81'

     SUB: Van Nistelrooy off, Park on. A defensive change from Ferguson, and United will now play with a five-man midfield. VN looked really tired as he trudged off.

108. 82'

     CLOSE! Fletcher chips a ball in to the area. It's headed clear to Rooney on the edge of the box, but his side-foot shot is blocked by Gallas.

109. 84'

     All the decisions seem to be going United's way now, after most of the half they were favouring the visitors.

110. 85'

     Chelsea, for all their pressure in this half, haven't had any really clear-cut chances; they have had shots blocked and plenty of scrappy possession in the United area, but nothing too dangerous.

111. 86'

     FREE-KICK: Ronaldo is adjudged to have brought down Gudjohnsen, 25 yards out. Lampard stands over the ball...

112. 87'

     ...He drives a low shot, but it's straight at the wall and the ball deflects out for a corner...

113. 87'

     ...United head clear, and Makelele slices a woeful shot high and wide. The home fans breathe again.

114. 88'

     Mourinho looks very calm and casual as he sits on a wall close to the Chelsea dug-out. I wonder what he'll have to say about the defeat? Stick with Soccernet.com for all the after-match quotes.

115. 88'

     United enjoy a spell on the ball in the Chelsea half, frustrating the visitors. They are desperate to get hold of the ball and get up the other end.

116. 89'

     The crowd are on the edge of their seats.

117. 89'

     SWP fires a cross over to Gudjohnsen. He controls the ball, beats Ferdinand on the outside and tries to fire over a low cross, but Ferdinand blocks.

118. 90'

     FOUR MINUTES OF INJURY TIME!

119. 91'

     WHAT A BALL! Rooney picks an incredible pass out to try and slide Scholes in behind the Chelsea defence, but Cech comes out of his goal quickly to claim.

120. 92'

     Terry is playing up front alongside Cole, Gudjohnsen and Drogba at the moment; it's so tense and tight at Old Trafford.

121. 93'

     Makelele is booked for blocking Rooney as the United youngster almost weaved his way through three challenges and broke towards goal.

122. 94'

     FULL-TIME: Old Trafford errupts as United celebrate a great victory. Chelsea's unbeaten run is over, and the title race is back on.

123. 94'

     Mourinho is on the pitch shaking the hands of all the players, United and Chelsea. Terry and Lampard go over to the travelling fans to thank them for their support.

124. 94'

     Smith and Ronaldo take off their shirts and display bodies beautiful as they walk off to thunderous applause from the home fans.

125. 94'

     Mourinho doesn't look too despondant as he leaves the field. He can be proud of his side's second-half performance; they were incredible, but just couldn't force the breakthrough.

126. 94'

     Thanks for sticking with it, readers, and stay here with us at Soccernet for all the post-match reaction.

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