The Times
September 22, 2008

Chelsea manager Luiz Felipe Scolari riled by Manchester United antics
Matt Hughes
Luiz Felipe Scolari, the Chelsea manager, has criticised Manchester
United's players for not showing respect to Mike Riley, the referee,
during yesterday's 1-1 draw. United will be fined £25,000 for failing
to control their players after collecting seven yellow cards on their
first visit to West London since the so-called "battle of Stamford
Bridge" in April, which threatened to take place off the pitch on this
occasion when a brick was thrown through a window of the visiting
team's coach as it left the ground. "There was an incident and it's in
the hands of the police," a United official said.

John Obi Mikel was the only Chelsea player booked in a feisty
encounter, but Scolari showed no sympathy for his opponents after his
first Barclays Premier League meeting with Sir Alex Ferguson. Three of
United's bookings were the result of dissent in a game that ended with
Rio Ferdinand condemning Didier Drogba's behaviour and Scolari unhappy
that Chelsea were not permitted to take an injury-time free kick after
Riley had signalled a foul on the Ivory Coast striker, then
immediately blown the final whistle. United could face further charges
because, five months after Ferdinand accidentally kicked a female
steward after his side's 2-1 league defeat away to Chelsea, the player
left the field mouthing obscenities about Riley.

"I'm not surprised there were so many yellow cards," Scolari said.
"The referee is there for this. If players don't respect him, they
should get a yellow or red. Not only for Manchester. Chelsea,
Liverpool, any club, if they don't respect the referee, yellow and
red.

"I was more surprised the referee finished the game at that time. But
like I said before, he is the referee, the boss on the pitch, and his
decision is his decision. We have to respect it."

Scolari was happier with the performance of his side, who came from
behind to move up to second place, a point behind Arsenal. Park Ji
Sung gave United the lead with an eighteenth-minute tap-in, but
Salomon Kalou, a substitute, equalised with an 80th-minute header to
extend Chelsea's unbeaten home league record to 85 matches. But
Chelsea's salvage operation came at a cost, as Ricardo Carvalho, the
defender, limped off with a knee problem after Deco, the midfield
player, pulled a groin muscle in the pre-match warm-up. United lost
Edwin van der Sar, the goalkeeper, in the first half with a knee
injury.

"The game is one of the best we've played this season because we have
many problems," Scolari said. "My team have a fantastic spirit.
[Michael] Ballack was only fit for 45 minutes, but started and played
70 minutes. Obi Mikel was fantastic, he played at the back of
midfield, at the front, right side, left side, fighting and jumping.

"This is the spirit I want and this is the spirit Chelsea has. I'm
happy with this. The record is not important for me, only the fans.
The record we want is to win the championship."

Ferguson expressed satisfaction at a result that left United fifteenth
in the table, but was clearly irked by Riley's performance, as he
demonstrated when explaining his shock when Mike Phelan, the United
assistant manager, popped a balloon by his feet during the first half.
"I wished he'd burst it under Riley as it might have woken him up,"
Ferguson said. "It was a competitive game, but I did not think there
was one bad tackle in it. The game is being screened worldwide,
everyone is watching it, and that goes on. All things being equal, I
felt we deserved a point. They had a lot of free kicks around the box
at the end, but we worked hard and I felt we deserved it."

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Telegraph:

Manchester United stand proud again after riveting draw with Chelsea
Chelsea (0) 1 Manchester United (1) 1

By Henry Winter at Stamford Bridge

As well as a bottle through the window of their bus, Manchester United
took pride and a point back home from Stamford Bridge. Although
frustrated that Salomon Kalou eventually equalised Ji-sung Park's
goal, the champions can take heart that they reminded everyone in the
country of their class and their character. The title will not be
surrendered without a fight, not with Sir Alex Ferguson motivating
United's players so stirringly.

As well as another magnificent advertisement for the people's soap
opera that is the Premier League, a riveting 90 minutes revealed
certain truths for United. Dimitar Berbatov, the lord of languidness,
and the all-action Wayne Rooney still need time to develop their
partnership, although the rich potential was thrillingly in evidence
here. Cristiano Ronaldo also requires games to bring his form and
fitness back to last season's Himalayan heights.

Apart from the point and the gutsy display, Ferguson can take other
positives from the Bridge, notably an assured performance by Jonny
Evans alongside Rio Ferdinand, a buccaneering contribution from
Patrice Evra and sweat-soaked shifts from Owen Hargreaves and Darren
Fletcher.

For Chelsea, a confident start to the season cannot mask the reality
that Didier Drogba must return to the starting fold. Nicolas Anelka
again failed to impose himself, and missed a chance presented by Joe
Cole that could not have been more gift-wrapped had it come with
ribbons and a card that began "Cher Nicolas''.

In keeping with the celebratory mood, assorted balloons were blown on
to the field, prompting Ferguson's No 2, Mike Phelan, to stamp on one.
"I wish he had burst it under Mike Riley because it might have woken
him up,'' quipped Ferguson. The Yorkshire referee actually handled the
game well, allowing advantage when possible, mainly stopping only to
book four United players for fouls and three more for dissent. If
Riley erred, it was in ignoring an outrageous piece of simulation by
Ronaldo, a swallow dive so preposterous that Frank Lampard burst out
laughing.

Occasional subterfuge and tirades aside, United impressed. Their
hunger was palpable. Ferguson had ensured his players were in the
right, determined mood. So had the stadium announcer, welcoming the
champions to the Bridge with a cheeky, "Here's the 14th team in the
Premier League''. United's impatience for the opening whistle
quickened.

In hounding Luiz Felipe Scolari's players all over the pitch, United
did to Chelsea what Liverpool had done to the champions eight days
earlier. Scarcely two minutes had crept on to the clock when both Paul
Scholes and Park had clattered Joe Cole. A familiar intensity
characterised the fray. Even Berbatov, so relaxed he looks like he
should be playing in a smoking jacket, deigned to win a tackle. Until
he tired badly in the second half, Berbatov was influential, knitting
together moves, helping Rooney create a shooting opportunity for
Ferdinand that would have brought reward but for Petr Cech's reflexes.

Berbatov and Rooney played significant parts in United's goal. When
the lively Evra broke down the left and played the ball inside to
Berbatov, Rooney was alive to the move's possibilities. Berbatov's
lay-off drew a superb response from Rooney, who guided the ball first
time down the inside-left channel, picking out Evra's continued run.
He raced on, but then cut the ball back to Berbatov. As Scholes
dummied, the Bulgarian unleashed a shot that rattled into Cech's
midriff, gifting a sitter for the unmarked Park. As Ferguson
celebrated, little details leading to the goal will have incensed
Scolari. His full-backs, such a force going forward, were caught out
badly. Jose Bosingwa failed to deal with Evra's run. The Portuguese
international has proved a marvellous addition, giving Chelsea real
strength down the right, but he needs to tighten up defensively.

Over on the left, Ashley Cole had shuffled across to deal with
unfolding problems in the middle, allowing Park the space to score.
Liberated by Scolari, encouraged to raid upfield, Cole's primary duty
must always be to track his winger and he let Park go. Otherwise, the
England international enjoyed an afternoon of non-stop endeavour that
confirmed him as one of the leading left-backs in the world.

With Cole and Bosingwa quick to push up, Chelsea hit back, responding
to the urging of their fans. Chances came and went. Joe Cole's shot
deflected over. The Matthew Harding Stand then screamed for a penalty
when Edwin van der Sar caught Florent Malouda. United's keeper was
clearly going for the ball, his momentum carrying him into Malouda,
injuring his knee in the process. The Bridge was in ferment, the fans
in uproar, the players storming forward time and again in pursuit of
an equaliser. John Terry, leading by example, charged 40 yards, taking
the game to the champions. Then Joe Cole glided into the box, bringing
an unconvincing stop from Van der Sar. Ferdinand moaned at his keeper,
tapping his head as if to question the Dutchman's mental state.
Ferdinand's stance quickly softened on realising the keeper was
struggling. Tomasz Kuszczak leapt from the bench and into the fray.

The tempo never dropped. When Scholes clipped Michael Ballack's heels,
the German squealed like a ballerina who had been trodden on, making
sure Riley was aware of the offence. Scholes escaped sanction that
time but soon kicked the ball away, making his inevitable entrance in
Riley's bad book. More worryingly for United, they were dropping deep,
dangerously so, inviting Chelsea on. They also stood off Alex,
allowing the Brazilian to let fly from 25 yards. Kuszczak fumbled,
Ferdinand cleared. Not for the last time. Ferdinand's fuse was
burning, the defender raging at a linesman. "There's only one England
captain,'' sang the John Terry fan club.

Enmity filled the air. When Hargreaves fell over by the hoardings, a
couple of Chelsea supporters bent over to deliver some west London
witticisms. Bonhomie broke out only during the interval when Team GB's
successful Olympic sailors performed a lap of honour that drew a
standing ovation.

Chelsea urgently needed someone to take the wind out of United's
sails. Scolari acted. Malouda was hooked and Drogba unleashed,
entering like a favoured gladiator, intent on inflicting damage. Wary
of Drogba's threat, United pulled even further back, almost
permanently to the edge of the box. When Lampard and Joe Cole conjured
up some magic, Evans intervened.

For defenders like Evans, binoculars were required to see United's
attack. The gap was huge, but fortunately Rooney shuttled back and
forth, carrying the ball to Berbatov, making a mockery of those who
questioned the Merseysider's fitness. The only thing heavy about
Rooney is his heavyweight talent.

But he needed assistance. Ronaldo arrived and, the dive apart,
produced some decent moments, although the force remained with
Chelsea. When Kuszczak failed to hold a Joe Cole shot, Ferdinand again
cleared and again complained about the marking, the officiating, the
weather, the price of ciabatta bread. Still a tide of blue rolled
towards Ferdinand and company. When Joe Cole drove the ball across,
Anelka missed woefully. Rooney almost punished such profligacy,
turning the Ronaldo's exceptional cross into the side-netting.

Surrendering possession needlessly moments later, Rooney received a
curt reminder from Ferguson of the need to keep control of the ball.
It was a pity he did not throw in a caveat about self-control. Rooney
subsequently flew in on Ashley Cole, who commendably jumped up
immediately, but the damage was done. To United.

As well as the booking for Rooney, the champions had a free-kick
awarded against them, 30 yards out, to the left of centre. As John Obi
Mikel lifted the ball in, United focused most on Terry's movement with
Ferdinand shoving the Chelsea captain over. Unnoticed amidst the
pushing and pulling, Kalou ghosted in to equalise. Chelsea had their
point. United had also made their point.

FlashPoint1...

The bad feeling that marred last season's match between Chelsea and
Manchester United boiled over again as Rio Ferdinand stormed from the
field after clashing with Didier Drogba.The pair had been involved in
a challenge on the edge of the United penalty area just as referee
Mike Riley blew the final whistle of a bad-tempered affair.

FlashPoint2...

The United team bus was attacked as it departed from Stamford Bridge
following the match. A bottle was thrown and left a crack on one of
the windows. Police arrested one man. It is understood that no United
players or officials were hurt. "There was an incident but the matter
is now in the hands of the police," a United spokesman said.


Chelsea

Petr Cech 5
Brilliantly tipped Ferdinand's early effort on to the crossbar but
then parried Berbatov's shot straight into the path of Park

Jose Bosingwa 6
Provides Chelsea with real width going forward, but was out-muscled by
Evra in the build-up to United's goal

John Terry 7
Berbatov's movement troubled Chelsea early on, but Terry gradually
assumed control and dealt well with the Bulgarian's threat

Ricardo Carvalho 6
Hobbled off after just 12 minutes and, moments later, United twice
carved open the Chelsea defence

Ashley Cole 7
Still seems to relish his battles with Ronaldo and helped keep the
Portuguese winger relatively quiet during the second half

John-Obi Mikel 7
Provided a shield in front of Chelsea's defence and provided an
excellent free-kick to set-up the equaliser

Joe Cole 5
Wasted two outstanding chances either side of half-time when he shot
into the side netting and then straight at Kuszczak

Frank Lampard 7
Outstanding this season and kept driving Chelsea forward as they
assumed control during the second half

Michael Ballack 6
A late inclusion after Deco suffered a thigh injury during the
warm-up. Looked short of match fitness

Florent Malouda 5
A peripheral figure with the exception of one penalty appeal. Chelsea
improved after he was replaced by Drogba

Nicolas Anelka 4
Struggled to make any real impression and missed a golden opportunity
when he somehow failed to connect with Joe Cole's cross

Luiz Felipe Scolari 7
An animated and largely frustrated presence on the touchline, though
his substitutions changed the game

Substitutes
Alex replaced Carvalho, while Didier Drogba brought an added physical
presence before Salomon Kalou replaced Ballack and scored the
equaliser

Manchester United

Edwin van der Sar 5
Looked shaky and survived a penalty appeal from Malouda before being
replaced by Tomasz Kuszczak after just 32 minutes

Gary Neville 7
Has moved ahead of Wes Brown in the pecking order and brought
experience and authority to the Manchester United defence

Rio Ferdinand 7
Crept into space to have a great early chance saved by Cech, though
just allowed Kalou to get behind him for Chelsea's goal

Jonny Evans 7
Big test in the absence of Nemanja Vidic and justified his selection,
particularly under considerable second-half Chelsea pressure

Patrice Evra 7
His early mistake should have been punished by Joe Cole, but
threatened going forward and played a vital part in United's goal

Owen Hargreaves 6
Demonstrated his adaptability by shifting inside to make way for
Ronaldo after starting the game on the right

Paul Scholes 6
Industrious in the centre of midfield, though was perhaps fortunate to
only collect one booking after several mistimed tackles

Darren Fletcher 6
Crept forward to glance an early chance wide and produced a
disciplined performance to help restrict Chelsea's midfield threat

Ji-Sung Park 7
Performed admirably with an energetic display on the left and was
rewarded with a goal when following up Berbatov's shot

Dimitar Berbatov 6
Outstanding in the opening 20 minutes and helped create United's goal,
but faded as the match unfolded

Wayne Rooney 7
Unselfishly set-up Ferdinand in the opening stages and looked
dangerous on the break, particularly when Ronaldo was introduced

Sir Alex Ferguson 7
The starting line-up was vindicated by the first-half display, though
his substitutions could not halt Chelsea's late momentum 7

Substitutes
Tomasz Kuszczak fumbled a shot from Alex after replacing Van der Sar
while United seemed to lose their shape somewhat after Cristiano
Ronaldo's introduction. John O'Shea also replaced Park.

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Mail:

United come close to ending Chelsea's 85 game unbeaten home run - but
not close enough

By Matt Lawton

CHELSEA 1 MANCHESTER UNITED 1

The first 'real' win of the season that Sir Alex Ferguson was so keen
to secure never materialised at Stamford Bridge but the real
Manchester United at least made an appearance.

After dropping points against Newcastle and producing such a desperate
losing display at Liverpool, Ferguson's side went some way to
reminding us how they emerged last May as the champions of England and
Europe.

It was far from pretty, their performance earning seven yellow cards
and an automatic £25,000 fine as well as a precious point.

United's Ji-Sung Park slots past Edvin van der Sar to give Sir Alex
Ferguson's men a first half lead

But United will take heart from the fact that Ji-sung Park gave them a
lead that lasted more than an hour, just as they should take pride in
their contribution to what, for all their apparent indiscipline, was a
wonderful match between the two best sides in the Barclays Premier
League.

The team sheet suggested Ferguson had approached the encounter with
more than a hint of trepidation and, when Mike Phelan chose to burst a
balloon under his seat, United's manager almost jumped out of his
skin.

'I wish he'd burst it under Mike Riley,' Ferguson said, 'it might have
woken him up.'

In his players, however, there was only confidence and composure, the
manner in which they responded to Ferguson's decision to omit
Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez from his line-up as impressive as
it was perhaps surprising to Chelsea.

The sight of Owen Hargreaves and Park on each flank suggested they
were going to defend.

They did anything but, attacking with pace, purpose and precision.

Good fortune appeared to be their companion and a hugely disruptive
influence for Chelsea.

First came the warm up injury preventing Deco from even starting and
then one that ended Ricardo Carvalho's afternoon after just 13
minutes.

That gave the impression that it might be United's day, as did the
moment when Joe Cole squandered the first of two easy chances.

Edwin van der Sar was so convinced there was nothing he could do he
dropped to his knees, seemingly in prayer.

Those prayers were answered, Cole guiding his effort wide and leaving
United to continue their pursuit of a win that would have ended
Chelsea's unbeaten home league run, now stretched to 85 matches.

Industry rather than invention was the order of the day and how hard
United worked.

The back four were superb, Jonathan Evans coping admirably in his role
as partner to Rio Ferdinand, and so were the midfielders joining
tireless Wayne Rooney in battling for every ball.

Chelsea coped well in the sudden absence of Deco but they were
disrupted by the fact that Michael Ballack was not fully fit.

They earned the equaliser from Salomon Kalou and probably feel miffed
that a late final chance to score a decisive goal was taken away by
Mike Riley's bizarre decision to blow the final whistle when time
remained on the clock, with Didier Drogba wanting a free kickafter
colliding with Ferdinand.

Ferdinand was incensed as he marched off, indicating to Ferguson that
the Chelsea striker had dived and apparently delivering a less than
flattering verdict about the referee.

Both sides will reflect on chances missed.

Shortly before Cole wasted the first of his two sitters Rooney sent a
volley wide after Dimitar Berbatov attempted to catch Petr Cech off
his line.

Set up by the excellent Rooney, who was enjoying his preferred role of
support striker, Ferdinand failed to punish Chelsea, albeit with a
shot that forced a fine Cech save.

If Chelsea's keeper impressed on that occasion, he did not excel two
minutes later.

Errors have crept into his game and his failure to hold a Berbatov
shot presented Park with his chance to score in the 18th minute.

It was Rooney's pass and Evra's success in muscling past Jose Bosingwa
that enabled Berbatov to shoot in the first place.

More good fortune for United followed. Riley, not having one of his
better games, just about called it right when he ignored Chelsea's
penalty claims after seeing Van der Sar collide with Florent Malouda.

United survived but their keeper did not as he injured a knee in the
incident. He was replaced by Tomasz Kuszczak.

Further chances followed. Joe Cole drove a shot straight at Kuszczak
and Nicolas Anelka, just two yards out, allowed a pass from Cole to
slip through his legs when he seemed certain to score.

At the opposite end, Ronaldo — on for Paul Scholes — delivered a ball
that Berbatov somehow missed and Rooney shot into the side-netting.

It was the inexperience of Kuszczak that ultimately cost United.

In failing to come for John Obi Mikel's 80th-minute free-kick, he
allowed Kalou a free header that more than vindicated Luiz
FelipeScolari's decision to send him on and protect a superb home
record.

Not quite the battle of The Bridge, but a battle nonetheless.


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Independent:

Chelsea 1 Manchester United 1: Kalou crowns Chelsea fightback in
compelling battle of heavyweights

By Glenn Moore

It is too early in the season for this to be a seminal match, but for
an hour yesterday it felt like it could be.

Manchester United, showing the form they have been searching for
during the campaign's opening weeks, appeared poised to inflict
Chelsea's first home League defeat for four-and-a-half years. That
would have been a resounding psychological blow worth even more than
the three precious points at stake.

Then Chelsea's resilience, which seems part of their DNA regardless of
who is in the dugout, surfaced again. Trailing to Ji-Sung Park's
18th-minute goal, they had lacked the fluency previously displayed
under Luiz Felipe Scolari. But the best teams graft when the craft is
missing and Chelsea pushed the champions back by force of will.

Salomon Kalou levelled and United were hanging on at the final whistle
which came just as Rio Ferdinand flattened Didier Drogba on the edge
of the box. With Ferdinand's second yellow card seemingly imminent,
and Chelsea anticipating a dangerously placed free-kick, Mike Riley
signalled that time was up.

The result leaves United 15th, between Wigan and Bolton, with five
points from four games. More pertinently they remain six points adrift
of Chelsea, but with a game in hand, having already played two of
their most demanding fixtures, here and at Liverpool last weekend.
Chelsea are second, level with Liverpool and a point behind Arsenal.
Those two teams will be happiest with this result, and the fact that
Deco, Ricardo Carvalho and Edwin van der Sar all suffered injury. Van
der Sar's may be the most significant as United last week lost reserve
goalkeeper Ben Foster to an ankle injury for six weeks.

Sir Alex Ferguson picked a team designed to stifle Chelsea, but with
orders to attack them. Owen Hargreaves and Park were stationed on the
flanks of a midfield four with a view to pinning back Ashley Cole and
Jose Bosingwa, who have been such an outlet for Chelsea this season.
The intent, though, was offensive, United perhaps surprising Chelsea
with their attacking approach, Paul Scholes and Darren Fletcher having
chances in the early minutes.

This was backed up by tackling fierce enough to suggest Ferguson's
pre-match address had reminded his men how they had been second to the
ball too often at Anfield. Scholes committed three fouls in the first
10 minutes and was the first of seven United names taken by Riley – to
one of Chelsea. United will be fined by the Football Association for
exceeding five cautions.

United's initial ascendancy was helped by Chelsea having to reshape
their midfield after Deco became the weekend's third player – after
Middlesbrough's Mido and Abdoulaye Méité of West Bromwich Albion – to
be injured in the warm-up. Michael Ballack replaced him, his first
start since missing four weeks with a foot injury. Deco has been
Chelsea's midfield fulcrum and with Ballack taking time to settle
their passing lacked cohesion. Then Carvalho had to limp off after 12
minutes to be replaced by Alex.

Outplayed though they were in the opening half, Chelsea should have
scored first. Joe Cole, running on to Nicolas Anelka's flick-on,
turned Patrice Evra, advanced on Van der Sar and to general
astonishment steered his shot into the side netting. It proved an
expensive miss as, 10 minutes later, United went ahead. Evra fed
Dimitar Berbatov who laid the ball back to Rooney. He picked out Evra,
who had continued his run into the box. The France international
shrugged off Bosingwa and cut the ball back to Berbatov. Cech parried
his side-footed shot and Park rolled in the rebound.

United had already gone close from an even unlikelier source.
Ferdinand, having dispossessed Anelka and fed Berbatov, kept running
and was played in by Rooney. Cech turned his shot onto the crossbar
and over.

It was 10 minutes before Chelsea threatened to level, but through a
defensive slip, Neville leaving a headed back-pass short. Florent
Malouda just won a 50-50 race with Van der Sar but the Dutchman
blocked his toe-poke with his chest before crashing into Malouda. On
balance, Riley was right not to give a penalty and show a red card but
the goalkeeper soon departed anyway, bruised in the collision.

Drogba came on at the restart, soon followed by Cristiano Ronaldo. The
former had the greater impact with his physical presence and ability
to hold the ball up. Gradually, Chelsea began to create chances.
Ballack released Joe Cole over the top. This time he went for power,
and blasted the ball at Tomasz Kuszczak's chest. Anelka managed to
miskick when presented with gilt-edged chances by Bosingwa and Joe
Cole, then Ballack shot wide.

Chelsea's profligacy should have been punished when Ronaldo released
Rooney with 13 minutes left. He hit the side netting. Two minutes
later, after Rooney had fouled Ashley Cole, Kalou exploited slack
marking to head in John Obi Mikel's free-kick.

That there were no further goals was due to a last-ditch saving tackle
by Neville on Kalou, and an extraordinary block by Alex from
Fletcher's shot. Those two moments, as much as the artistry shown at
times by red and blue, underlined why the title is likely to go to one
of these teams for the fifth successive year.

Goals: Park (18) 0-1; Kalou (80) 1-1.

Chelsea (4-3-3): Cech; Bosingwa, Carvalho (Alex, 12), Terry, A Cole;
Ballack (Kalou, 74), Mikel, Lampard; J Cole, Anelka, Malouda (Drogba,
h-t). Substitutes not used: Cudicini (gk), Bridge, Ferriera, Belletti.

Manchester United (4-4-2): Van der Sar (Kuszczak, 32); Neville,
Ferdinand, Evans, Evra; Hargreaves, Fletcher, Scholes (Ronaldo, 55),
Park (O'Shea, 75); Rooney, Berbatov. Substitutes not used: Brown,
Giggs, Nani, Tevez.

Referee: M Riley (West Yorkshire)

Booked: Chelsea Mikel; Manchester United Scholes, Ferdinand, Neville,
Berbatov, Rooney, Evra, Ronaldo.

Man of the match: Rooney.

Attendance: 41,760

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The Guardian, Monday September 22 2008

Chelsea spirit keeps Bridge record intact

Chelsea 1 Kalou 80
Manchester United 1 Park 18

Kevin McCarra at Stamford Bridge

Salomon Kalou came off the bench to head Chelsea level against
Manchester United. Photograph: Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty
Images

This fixture is an exercise in time travel. We may only be in late
September, but both teams displayed the desperate ambition of men
playing as if the title hung in the balance with just a few seconds
left of the last fixture. Judging by the unyielding determination,
these sides may be locked together once again in May.

If it puts a terrible strain on United and Chelsea their suffering
will be a spectacle to engross the rest of us. Here, the Stamford
Bridge side held on to an intangible honour of profound importance.
The unbeaten record at home in the Premier League now stands at 85
fixtures. While life had its travails for each team, Chelsea, in
particular, were confronted by adversity.

Deco, who sets the side's tempo, picked up an adductor muscle injury
in the warm-up and Ricardo Carvalho lasted a paltry 12 minutes before
a knee problem ended his afternoon. The club seemed to be stripped of
its right to sympathy on the day it became part of Roman Abramovich's
portfolio, but money did not buy the searing pride that this squad
possesses.

There were excellent prospects for United, especially once they were
ahead. Chelsea, of necessity, had a semi-fit Michael Ballack on the
pitch for 75 minutes and Didier Drogba, who is to yet recover peak
condition, in action from very early in the second half. The visitors
appeared ready to take full advantage.

They may not have been at full strength but the selection of Jonny
Evans at centre-half for the suspended Nemanja Vidic did not enfeeble
them. Their plan, predictable as it had been, troubled Chelsea deeply
before the interval when Luiz Felipe Scolari's adventurous full-backs
were pinned down by wide midfielders.

All of that could have been anticipated, and the side could not hit a
rhythm when it went through the centre. For a spell, Chelsea were ill
at ease. Sir Alex Ferguson had the footballers to prey on that and
Jose Bosingwa's lack of trenchancy was exposed at the opener. The
Portugal international, who loves to race down the wing, was
overwhelmed in the 18th minute.

Patrice Evra flicked the ball inside to Dimitar Berbatov before having
an excellent pass placed in front of him by Wayne Rooney. Bosingwa was
too meek to halt the Frenchman. Evra put the ball in front of Berbatov
and although his attempt was poor Petr Cech did not hold the shot and
Park Ji-sung tucked away the loose ball.

By then there had nevertheless been signs that United were not
watertight either, but Joe Cole missed the target when through on goal
following a Nicolas Anelka flick. Ferguson's side were short of
composure, with three of their seven bookings imposed for dissent. A
£25,000 fine is automatic once a team reaches half a dozen cautions,
but the real punishment for poor temperament is much more painful than
that.

United, initially dominant, could not consolidate. There were
distractions, such as the knee injury that forced the goalkeeper Edwin
van der Sar to make way for Tomasz Kuszczak, but United should have
been more ruthless. In the second half, with Cristiano Ronaldo
introduced, the conservative plan appeared to be to hit on the break.

If that strategy was meant to prey on Chelsea's nerves it was a
lamentable failure. Any anxiety that Scolari's players were
experiencing was self-inflicted. After 66 minutes, for instance, Joe
Cole blasted at the chest of Kuszczak when the angle made it rash to
shoot rather than pass.

The principal danger for Chelsea was of despair taking hold. Most
sides would have surrendered to gloom after the sort of opportunity
that was squandered in the 73rd minute, when Joe Cole droved in the
perfect low ball and Anelka let it fly through his legs. As it turned
out, United's organisation failed before Chelsea's morale could
collapse.

Rooney gave away a foul in the 79th minute. Mikel John Obi, shorn of
the poise he has been showing against inferior opponents, had
sufficient morale left to hit a fine free-kick. Kuszczak stayed on his
line and no one marked the substitute Salomon Kalou, who headed into
the corner of the net.

A little earlier Rooney had been unable to squeeze a finish into the
small gap at the post following a cut-back from Ronaldo. By such fine
margins United failed to storm the Stamford Bridge citadel. They would
not have deserved the conquest. The prize they did bear away with them
was the result that keeps them within six points of Chelsea.
Irrespective of the league position, it is not such a dreadful state
of affairs when it is remembered that away fixtures at Fratton Park
and Anfield have already been ticked off.

There was a disconcerting end to this game that might have done harm
to United. With added time drawing to a close, Rio Ferdinand seemed to
foul Drogba and, with a caution to his name already, might have been
sent off. Debate over the rights and wrongs of that were forestalled
when it emerged that the referee, Mike Riley, had blown the final
whistle. There was a confusing scene but it still made perfect sense
that these sides should divide the spoils.

Man of the match Wayne Rooney (Manchester United)

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Sun:

From SHAUN CUSTIS at Stamford Bridge

IT could have been the day when one of football's proudest records
came to an end.

Manchester United were 10 minutes away from inflicting on Chelsea
their first home defeat in 85 league games stretching back to February
2004.

But the champions, who had seven players booked, lost their composure
in a frenetic finale and the Blues emerged with a point.

Chief head-banger was Wayne Rooney who ploughed into Ashley Cole only
seconds after manager Alex Ferguson had given him a stern talking-to,
seemingly for losing the ball.

Rooney clearly had no intention of losing it again but mistimed the
challenge on his England team-mate and, from the free-kick, Chelsea
bagged an equaliser which they must have feared would never come.

John Obi Mikel floated the ball into the box, Rio Ferdinand tried to
shove John Terry out of the way and sub Salomon Kalou stole in to head
home from close range.

Gary Neville then made a crucial saving block on Kalou a minute later
which prevented Chelsea netting the winner.

Ferdinand clashed with Didier Drogba as tempers boiled over at the end
and referee Mike Riley blew the whistle before there was any more
trouble.

Ferdinand stomped off towards the tunnel cursing the ref, then raged
at the fourth official. Meanwhile, Fergie had to usher his players
away from Riley.

It summed up United's frustrations because it was a missed opportunity
to kick-start their season.

They have won only once in the Premier League and lost to arch-rivals
Liverpool a week ago.

Beating Chelsea would have made a real statement that they were up and running.

But the Blues deserved the draw and could highlight a number of missed
chances of their own, notably second-half opportunities that fell to
Joe Cole and Nicolas Anelka.

They also lost influential midfielder Deco in the warm-up and then
accomplished central defender Ricardo Carvalho with a knee injury by
the 12th minute.

It meant a major reshuffle and United took advantage early on.

First Ferdinand was denied by Petr Cech's outstretched leg and then Ji
Sung Park pounced to put the visitors ahead on 18 minutes.

Given the wealth of talent available to United it was a bit of a
surprise to see Park in the starting line-up while Cristiano Ronaldo,
returning from injury, and Carlos Tevez were confined to the bench.

But Park justified his inclusion after a lovely sweeping move begun by
the impressive Patrice Evra. The Frenchman fed Dimitar Berbatov, who
touched it on to Rooney who then released Evra into the box.

The full-back had plenty to do. But he easily shoved Jose Bosingwa
aside and set up Rooney.

The striker's shot was spilled by the shaky Cech and Park was in to
fire the ball home.

Chelsea were claiming a penalty nine minutes later as Edwin Van der
Sar came out to challenge Florent Malouda who tried to toe the ball
past him.

The keeper got a faint touch on the ball but followed through on the
French winger. Riley, however, waved away Chelsea appeals.

Van der Sar was injured in the challenge and when he made a hash of
getting down to an easy ball in his area soon afterwards, he signalled
to the bench to come off.

On came Tomasz Kusczcak in his place and the Pole's first act was to
drop an Alex drive which Ferdinand hacked clear.

United might have had a second on the stroke of half-time if Berbatov
had aimed his pass better.

But he played it behind Park and the Korean had to check back, with
the result his shot was blocked.

Ronaldo was on after 54 minutes in place of Paul Scholes which
suggested Fergie was looking for another goal to kill the game off.

The Portuguese winger's first act was to launch into an outrageous
dive when Frank Lampard was nowhere near him.

Ronaldo should have been booked for his antics but got away with it —
possibly because Lamps was laughing so much.

Chelsea, however, had found their feet and were getting stronger.
Unfortunately Joe Cole's finishing was not of the highest order and he
smacked a good chance straight at Kuszczak.

Anelka was even worse when Joe Cole turned provider and from three
yards out the ball just bounced past him.

But the Blues got their reward in the end thanks to Kalou's header —
and stay six points ahead of their northern rivals.

Big Phil Scolari had a moan about Chelsea's missed chances but deep
down he knows how crucial it was that his men did not lose.


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