Manchester United – Chelsea

1. <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2011/0502/johnterryshirtoff20110420_275x155.jpg">

2. Will John Terry be celebrating Chelsea going top of the table? John Brewin has our preview <A HREF= http://soccernet.espn.go.com/preview/_/id/292957?cc=5739 target=new>here</A>.

3. Welcome one and all to live coverage of the Premier League title decider between Manchester United and Chelsea. It's not quite a winner takes all clash, but it's not far off.

4. As things stand, Manchester United lie three points ahead of Chelsea, and a win for them today will surely seal the title. Should Chelsea win, they would go top via a better goal difference, and would fancy their chances of retaining their crown.

5. As expected, Fernando Torres starts on the bench for Chelsea, with Drogba on his own up front. Kalou comes in for the Spaniard.

6. It's all change for Man Utd, with only Van der Sar, Valencia and John O'Shea retained from the midweek rout of Schalke. All the big guns are back, including Rooney, Giggs, Hernandez, Carrick, Vidic and Ferdinand.

7. Fergie and Ancelotti stand together in the tunnel, as the teams enter the arena. It's a huge game in the Premier League season, and it is moments away.

8. 1'

   <b>KICK OFF</b>

9. 1'

   <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> Hernandez! Unbelievable!

10. 2'

    Less than 40 seconds on the clock as Hernandez is sprung through by a Park pass and he fires coolly past Cech. What a start! My word.

11. 3'

    Goodness me. It was all so easy for Park to cut in and slide a ball right through the heart of Chelsea's defence. Such a cool finish too. How can Chelsea respond?

12. 4'

    Ancelotti has already asked Alex to start warming up after blaming Luiz for giving the ball away in the build up to Hernandez's goal. He is not happy.

13. 5'

    Now Rooney has a chance to unleash from the edge of the box but he dawdled on the ball and Ivanovic bundled him over and cleared.

14. 6'

    Now Cole has to stand tall to block Valenica's start. Chelsea have barely got out of their half so far. United are rampant.

15. 7'

    Drogba gets his first effort off on goal but it was meaningless as he'd fouled Carrick to win the ball.

16. 8'

    A rasping drive from Rooney, from fully 30 yards out, is saved superbly by a flying Cech.

17. 9'

    United are a yard quicker all over the pitch. Chelsea just haven't started yet. They may still be in the tunnel.

18. 10'

    A terrible touch from Essien allows Park to get in and Mikel is late and trips him. United free kick near half way.

19. 11'

    So nearly another one for the little pea. Park's curling ball to the back post in missed by Luiz, but also by Hernandez, as he thrust a leg at it. A very good chance.

20. 12'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Kalou has the first sight of space in front of United's back four but he wastes his pass for Drogba. Then Ivanovic lunges in late on Rooney and is rightly carded.

21. 13'

    A great atmosphere around Old Trafford as United's fans smell blood.

22. 14'

    Park whips the ball off Essien's toes and United break downfield. Rooney shoots from closer range, equally fiercely, but this one flashes wide of the post by a yard.

23. 15'

    Rooney hunts down Mikel by the touchline and hassles him until the ball rolls out of play. The red shirts are right up for this one.

24. 16'

    Drogba clips a ball into the area but O'Shea shields it from Kalou until Van der Sar comes to cliam.

25. 17'

    Essien has had a rotten game so far. His touch has deserted him.

26. 18'

    First real chance for Chelsea as Malouda's cross is met by Drogba six yards out but he can't get on top of it. Then VDS fumbles the high ball but gets back into position to save Kalou's effort. Much more like it from Chelsea.

27. 19'

    Ancelotti is still not impressed with Luiz. The Brazilian smiles, ruefully.

28. 20'

    Weak from Kalou as Drogba holds the ball up well before offloading.

29. 21'

    Rooney is blocked off by Ivanovic and is up straight away to moan at Howard Webb. He's already been booked the defender, so he needs to be careful. The free kick is central, 35 yards out.

30. 22'

    Rooney takes the free kick wide, when Chelsea were expecting the shot, but Fabio's cross is cleared. As United rebuild Park stings Cech's hands with a shot.

31. 23'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> Vidic! 2-0! From the corner, Giggs takes it short and gets the ball back from Park, and as his delicious cross comes in Vidic is there to nod home. A charge of Champions.

32. 24'

    Chelsea are being overrun here. If they don't sharpen up, this could be a hiding.

33. 25'

    They nearly grabbed one back there though as Malouda's corner was flicked on by Mikel and Kalou's close range header was saved by VDS. Ivanovic tried to turn the ball home with an overhead kick from an acute angle but can only hit the side-netting.

34. 26'

    Valencia charges through the heart of Chelsea's defence but has no pass on square. This is a performance that could get Ancelotti the sack, it's been that shoddy.

35. 27'

    Rooney is like a man possessed today. Chasing around like an Olympic sprinter.

36. 28'

    "Are you watching Merseyside," sing the jubilant United fans.

37. 29'

    Luiz ambles upfield before firing a powerful shot right at Van der Sar. They have to get one back before half time to have any hope I think.

38. 30'

    Kalou is tripped by Carrick and Chelsea have a free kick 30 yards out.

39. 31'

    Great effort from Drogba, dipping towards the bottom corner, but VDS is across to parry out of the danger zone.

40. 32'

    Valencia lunges in on Malouda as the Frenchman attempts to cross. Another chance for Drogba.

41. 33'

    Drogba's latest effort flashes wide, about two yards wide. VDS hadn't moved though. If it had been on target, it was in.

42. 34'

    A bit more pressure from Chelsea now, but not much in the way of end product. Mikel's shot is blocked by Vidic.

43. 35'

    Valencia gets a rousing cheer as he tracks back to follow Kalou to the byline and win a goal kick in the process.

44. 36'

    Malouda spins in a decent looking ball and though Drogba attacks it and gets above Vidic, he can't do more than glance the ball near to the corner flag.

45. 37'

    Decent ball in from Kalou this time but Drogba again is beaten to it by Vidic.

46. 38'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Rooney is going to be booked here, as he and Luiz went for a 50/50, Rooney shaped up to belt it, before pulling out of the tackle, but by that stages he was committed and he's flattened the Brazilian.

47. 40'

    Ivanovic, has clipped Rooney late after the ball had gone. I don't think he'll get a second yellow, but he should be very, very careful from now on. If Ivanovic hadn't already seen yellow, he'd definitely have been carded for that.

48. 41'

    Despite a good two minutes of United players trying to get Ivanovic sent off - Giggs, Ferdinand and Rooney the main culprits - play has restarted.

49. 42'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Essien is booked through, for a tug on Park.

50. 43'

    A vital block from Mikel after Valencia was released by Rooney. The cross was low and Hernandez was lurking.

51. 44'

    Very poor from Chelsea, they take a corner short, waste the ball, then Essien gives United a needless corner up the other end under pressure from Park.

52. 45'

    <b>HALF TIME</b> A perfect half from United, who have taken a giant leap towards the title. Hernandez and Vidic with the goals, and Chelsea now need three of their own in the second half, so as not to surrender their tag of champions.

53. <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2011/0508/javierhernandezceleb20110508_275x155.jpg"><br>Hernandez wheels away after his opening goal, which came after 36 seconds

54. Well, that was a first half display of Champions. United flew out of the blocks, and scored within 36 seconds. Luiz was at fault for the first, with his poor positioning and failure to intercept Park's pass. As for the second, take your pick.

55. <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2011/0508/nemanjavidicgoal20110508_275x155.jpg"><br>Nemanja Vidic scores United's second

56. There have already been two Premier League games today, if you missed them, then read our report on <a href="http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=293182&cc=5739" target="_blank">Stoke's victory over Arsenal</a> and <a href="http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=293011&cc=5739" target="_blank">Wolves' much-needed win over local rivals West Brom</a>.

57. <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Changes for Chelsea as Carlo tries to rescue his title aspirations, Ramires and Alex replace Luiz and Mikel. Johnny Evans comes on for O'Shea.

58. 46'

    We begin again....

59. 47'

    Ramires very nearly sets up a chance for Drogba as he rampages into the area but Evans stands firm. Decent start from Chelsea.

60. 48'

    Rooney takea tumble after chasing a lost cause but though he burshed Lampard he wasn't claiming a foul.

61. 50'

    Ramires has seen plenty of the ball since coming on - but his cross just then was weak and cleared by Vidic.

62. 51'

    Weak also describes the shot Malouda has just dribbled wide of the target.

63. 52'

    Giggs has been imprious in this game. What a player.

64. 53'

    Neat football from United as sharp passes find their way to Valencia, he steps past Cole far too easily, then his cross is blocked by Lamaprd's arm. Could, and should, have been a penalty.

65. 54'

    Excellent defending from Vidic as he stands up and tackles Kalou inside the box. Well timed.

66. 56'

    Still no sign of a breakthrough from Chelsea yet, but a better showing in the second half, definitely.

67. 57'

    Ancelotti only has one sub left remember. Torres and Anelka daren't look each other in the eye.

68. 58'

    What humiliation for Luiz too. Not only was he at fault for the opening goal, he then argued with his manager, hence his hauling off at half time.

69. 59'

    United content to sit and play on the counter now, and why not.

70. 60'

    Here comes Torres. I can only imagine the sulk on Anelka right now.

71. 61'

    Valencia and Park have been immense today. Again Valencia beats Cole before Ivanovic nods away his back post cross.

72. 62'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Kalou, who has been very ineffective, departs and Torres is on.

73. 63'

    Giggs is serenaded by the fans again after chasing back to hassle Malouda.

74. 64'

    Terry and Cech make a right mess of a long ball and United are three on three. Valencia dawdles, then goes down under a challenge from Ivanovic and claims a penalty but Webb waves it away.

75. 65'

    Alex has pop from 35 yards but Van der Sar saves. Terry was a little lucky with the Valencia challenge, could easily have been given.

76. 66'

    Cole's long ball is brought down by Drogba with a combination of foot and arm, before he stabs the ball wide. The free kick had been given though.

77. 67'

    A rather aimless and hopeless run forward from Torres, with no support apart from Alex.

78. 68'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> A lifeline, from Lampard. Ramires' cross is deflected, Ivanovic gets up and Lampard sticks out a leg to divert it in. He was onside too.

79. 69'

    Might that provoke a few jitters in United ... but they nearly score right away! Hernandez gets into the area and squares for Rooney six yards out but Alex makes a vital block!

80. 70'

    Another one in the next ten minutes from Chelsea and this will get very interesting.

81. 71'

    Awful from Torres, just awful. He gets down the right, with Vidic to beat, but passes right to Carrick.

82. 72'

    Ramires has to track back now and concede a corner as Evans challenged him.

83. 74'

    Cole flies down the left but Essien waits too long to unload the pass and Van der Sar is out.

84. 75'

    Half a chance for Drogba as Ivanovic stands up a cross to the back post. He heads over though, and was offside to boot.

85. 76'

    We await Chelsea's final assault....

86. 77'

    Ferdinand nods away a cross and his legs go to jelly, then Evans is pole-axed after an aerial challenge with Ramires.

87. 78'

    Now Fabio hits the turf too. Time wasting tactics perhaps?

88. 79'

    As we restart, Ivanovic's long throw falls to Torres and his powerful volley is blocked by what looked like Valencia's arm. Nothing doing with Webb.

89. 80'

    This is petering out a little now. Still time for Chelsea to make it interesting though.

90. 81'

    Evans does well down the left, Giggs finds Rooney but though he has an excellent window to shoot in he drags it wide.

91. 82'

    Now Rooney has two good chances inside 30 seconds, lingering too long when clean through first time round, then having a shot from inside the area deflected narrowly over the bar.

92. 83'

    Evans tries to waste time by the corner flag. Bit early for that perhaps.

93. 84'

    Another excellent tackle from Park, who has been at his industrious best today.

94. 85'

    Ramires crosses from wide but Ferdinand nods clear. Chelsea pushing plenty forward now.

95. 86'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Ramires is carded, for a pull on Giggs.

96. 87'

    What a cross from Valencia! He drills a fierce ball from the byline to Hernandez, who heads over from five yards. It was ferociously hit though.

97. 88'

    A chance for Torres inside the box as he is left momentarily free, but he drags a shot wide of the post, to sum up his time so far in Chelsea blue.

98. 88'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Fabio hobbles off and Chris Smalling is on.

99. 89'

    What a chance for 3-1. Valencia's cross is cleared only as far as Giggs, who passes to Hernandez, but he scuffs his shot and it dribbles wide.

100. 90'

     <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Drogba's temper gets the better of him and lunges in two-footed on Carrick.

101. 90'

     Four minutes added...

102. 91'

     Again Valencia breezes past Cole and finds Rooney but he waits too long to strike and is crowded out of it.

103. 92'

     Malouda outwits Rooney on the right but though his cross finds Drogba he wastes a pass.

104. 93'

     Excitement grows in the stands as United move towards the brink of the title....

105. 94'

     Cole clips Park and with less than a minute left, that is surely that.

106. 95'

     <b>FULL TIME</b> It's all over! United celebrate as if they have won the title!

107. 95'

     They know this is it, judging by the celebrations on the pitch and in the stands. United thoroughly deserve it on today's performance too, they were all over Chelsea in the first half. They now need just one point from games against Blackburn and Blackpool to be confirmed as Champions for a 19th time.

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