Feb 05
United Seek First League Win at Chelsea Since 2002
Today is one of the most important days in the American sporting calendar, as the NFL’s Super Bowl takes place. But well before the rival Giants and Patriots kick off in Indianapolis, the real clash of the titans will take place at Stamford Bridge.
Either Manchester United or Chelsea have won the last seven Premier League titles, and in that time, the two sides have developed quite the rivalry, to put it mildly. And though Chelsea haven’t been at their best in Andre Villas-Boas’ first season at the helm, today’s showdown is still undoubtedly one of United’s biggest games of the season, because it’s Chelsea, because Chelsea don’t need to be allowed an opening back into the title race, and because United need to keep pace in that race.
RECENT HISTORY
United have had the upper hand against Chelsea over the last season-plus, winning five of the last six meetings. Last season, the two sides faced off five times – twice in the league, in the Champions League quarterfinals, and in the Community Shield – and United won four of those meetings. The only defeat came in the league encounter at Stamford Bridge, which United led 1-0 in the second half before Chelsea rallied for a 2-1 win.
In the only meeting thus far this season, United claimed a 3-1 win at home in September, a match that’s remembered, almost as much as anything else, for a series of mind-blowing misses on both sides that left the scoreline at 3-1 when it could and should have been a baseball score.
TEAM ANALYSIS
Chelsea
1. Chelsea are currently fourth in the Premier League table, with 42 points from 23 games. They’re unbeaten thus far in 2012, but they come into today having drawn their last two league matches, at Norwich City and Swansea City respectively. On Tuesday, they drew 1-1 at Swansea, needing a late own goal by the hosts to come away with a point.
2. A big part of Chelsea’s success over the last several seasons has been their prowess at home, but they haven’t been invincible at Stamford Bridge this season. Chelsea are 7-1-3 at home in the league this season, with defeats to Arsenal (5-3), Liverpool (2-1), and Aston Villa (3-1). Chelsea haven’t lost three or more home matches in a season since the 2003/04 season, the first season of the Roman Abramovich era. In their last three home matches, they have a draw (1-1 v. Fulham), a defeat (to Villa), and a narrow win (1-0 v. Sunderland).
3. Chelsea have scored 24 goals at home this season, which is tied with Tottenham and Arsenal for third in the league. However, 15 of those goals came in their first five home matches of the season, and as mentioned above, they’ve scored only one goal in each of their last three home matches.
4. Chelsea have allowed 16 goals at home this season, which is tied with Aston Villa and West Brom for 12th in the league. Chelsea haven’t allowed this many goals at home in an entire season since the 2001/02 season, when they allowed 21 league goals at home.
Manchester United
1. Despite having a few of the aforementioned factors in their favor, it will be a massive achievement for United to win today. The 1-0 Champions League quarterfinal first leg win in April was the first time that United had won at Chelsea in almost nine years. But United have played well overall away from home this season, and if they can win at City and at Arsenal, they can win at Chelsea. And if there was a time to do it, today’s the day, with as many positive factors in United’s favor as there might ever be.
2. United’s chances will be greatly boosted by the return of a few welcome faces. Wayne Rooney, who scored in the September win over Chelsea and has scored in each of his last two visits to Stamford Bridge, will be back, and so will Nani, who had a goal and an assist in that last meeting.
Also, Ashley Young will be back after being sidelined since suffering an ankle injury against Fulham in December, and while Nani and the in-form (my, what an understatement) Antonio Valencia should draw the starting assignments on the wings today, Young could be a real weapon off the bench in the second half against a tired Chelsea back line.
And in even more positive news, Tom Cleverley is in the squad as well, though it’s unlikely that he’ll play today. But that means he should be available for next Saturday’s showdown against Liverpool, and that is very, very welcome news.
3. Speaking of Chelsea’s back line, cap’n John Terry will be missing due to a knee injury, which means that Gary Cahill will make his Chelsea debut. But even more important than the absence of their captain is the absence of Ashley Cole, who is suspended for the match after being sent off at Swansea. Without Cole in there, Valencia could and should have a field day. If he does, it will greatly, greatly enhance United’s chances for a win.
4. David de Gea will be back in goal after Ben Amos started against Stoke, and this is going to be a big, big, big game for De Gea. Will he rise to the occasion, or will we see more mistakes? The margin for error in matches like these is miniscule, and he will need to be sharp today.
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- Why Becks and van “the man†were sold so cheaply to Real
- A Few Words…
- Limping United Seek Lift Against Struggling Wolves
- Hurt Pride (Park) and Looking Ahead to Chelsea
Tags: Manchester United Fixtures
Opti (541)
Stephen (485)
RedDevilEddy (459)
Craig Mc (348)
Moscow is my heaven (272)
Before the match gets going read this on the Sun
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/showbiz/bizarre/4108717/Man-Utd-news-Player-lost-contact-lenses-just-before-kick-off.html
Surely this article is not referring to David De Gea? If it is true it would be an absolutely amazing cock up sending out a player with impaired vision to goal keep. Honestly I have no idea why we signed a goalkeeper of all positions with vision problems.
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Incidentally with Lindegaard out for a month and games against Chelsea, Liverpool and a double tie against Ajax, De Gea better learn how to use contact lenses and shape up. This is a golden opportunity for him to prove his doubters wrong and show he can be a big game player for us
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No win since 2002. fuck, we better set it right today!! Torres is the only one we probably should be worried about. One of these days he is going to get a blitz of a game where he scores a couple of beauties. As long as its not against us, we should do fine.
De Gea sure keeps those arteries active whenever a ball is tossed in his zone!
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@godzilla: We won there in CL last season i guess!!!
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We shall be “Relentless”
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De Gea
Rafael Evans Rio Evra
Valencia Carrick Giggs Young
Rooney
Welbeck
GET IN!!
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Good team bar Welbeck, lets get behind the boys as this is a massive game!
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@Stephen: Just for that comment, Welbeck’s going to nab a brace today!
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OK, so Chelsea have Terry, Ramires, Drogba and Cole out. We should go all out attack, lots of incisive short passing, and persistent high pressing.
This is the best chance we have of winning at Stamford Bridge in the league for a decade, let’s not blow it. City won so please Fergie, no cautious, defensive bullshit please.
The absence of Nani worries me greatly. Smalling would have also helped, let’s hope Calamity Evans doesn’t cost us.
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@Moscow is my heaven: We are playing 4-4-2 with two wingers, we are hardly being cautious, Evans gets too much stick he has on the whole had a good season, give him a break. The biggest worry is the keeper, who looks totally out of his depth.
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@Stephen: I agree, Evans gets far too much stick
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ashley young my boy for a super performance and the winner
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@ash is the man: Ash Young is a homer, he will never bring anything from away games. Sad but true!
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Why we p lay a keeper so low on confidence is a wonder it affects the whole defence.
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@vida dollar: He wasn’t at fault for the goal…
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No he wasnt Andy but defenders have to worry abt protecting him instead of defending corners.
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@vida dollar: Our keeper saved us in last 15 mins in that game – two superhuman saves – just like he was THE BIONIC MAN. I gave him the verbals after the pool gsme – but he was saviour with some stupendous leaps to stop certain goals otherwise.
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Park and Scholes for Young and Giggs..Young is totally useless.
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Pathetic half barring first 10 minutes.
Giggs, Rafael, Evans, Welbeck have been {good, good, good, OK}
Carrick is playing too many high balls. Keep it LOW!
De Gea needs to learn how to catch a ball!
Rooney’s passing is sub-par!
Vally seems slow and tired or too defensive!
Rio and Evra have been awful on defense leaving huge gaps!!
Young seems bent on crossing but wont take a corner and then they’re s**t anyways
STOP THE F’ING HIGH BALLS #FURIOUS
We better come back!! I am wearing my luck jersey, my daughter is wearing her “Born and Red” onesie and I will crack open my Pepsi Max at beginning of first half
BELIEVE!
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@Opti: The intent has been there, which is a good sign. And so is giving Cech’s hands a sting a few times. Just need to turn it up a few more notches in the second half.
Defensively, Chelsea didn’t overrun us like they have on some occasions past, but there were just enough lapses to cost us. Not much Evans could have done about the ball going in off of him, but Evra just let himself get hung out to dry, and De Gea perhaps could have done a better job on defending Sturridge’s attempt on goal.
I still like our chances to win it, but we need to see if EVDS is available for the second half.
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@Eddie Griffin: Well, so much for that…
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@Eddie Griffin: yup
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@Opti: Rooney’s passing is always sub par mate – the play invariably broke down with him – he concedes possession 70 per cent of the time. See his penalty taking improved after Chicha and Berba showed they could do it
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Ian, I like the added content on right panel. What’s the new “Commentator” count about [cumulative, monthly?]
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It’s a yearly post count mate
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Giggs has been very poor. Welbeck and Rooney need to shoot more. Ashley Young, what the fuck is going on?
Maybe they should photoshop Webb in a Chelsea shirt
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Evra best LB in the world!
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@AndyCR7: Yet another error, Hernandez for Welbeck, truthfully I think we have played well. Carrick and Giggs have totally been on top of them, Chelsea are lucky to be leading. Also Chelsea fans are scum, booing Rio is a joke.
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@Stephen: he is at fault for all the goals
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Thank you Evra…
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Same old story.
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Disgraceful in the context of the #babes!
Apology is in order, methinks.
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Opti nice bit of product placement. I love a Pepsi Max as well.
Well this is proving to be a real wake up call. Chelsea have looked better organized as a team while we have been incredibly uninspired going forward and very easy to defend against.
Giggs and Rooney in particular have been poor not giving us the creative outlet they are supposed to while neither of our wingers has the trickery of Nani. Buying Ashley Young really was a step back as he offers absolutely nothing new and is very predictable to play against.
Our central midfield yet again looks lightweight.
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We’re getting smashed here. Ferdinand is a has been. SAF would be as well sticking his famous hair dryer up his backside to warm himself up. Some team talk at hal time. I reckon he’s lost it. Evra is a busted flush now, AndyCR7
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Asheley Young. Don’t get me started, We could have bought that kid Chamberlain for 9M. But no, we have to overpay for nearly men every time.
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Come on United. We NEED these points.
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And this is Chelsea without their “sprirtual” core… utter disgrace.
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pity penalty
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Penalty! YES
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Yeeeeeeeeeeees! We can do this. Chelsea are missing half their team. No way we should be in this position.
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Much better from us in last 10 mins. Weird tactic though.
—— Gea ——–
Vally-Evans-Rio-Evra
Giggs-Carrick-Scholes
Rooney-Chicharito-Welbz
??? No width? Wasn’t that supposed to be our advantage????????????????
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Opti, his tactics baffle me. They have the best LB on the planet missing, a tosser RB covering him and we can’t take advantage? SAF is pat his heydey.
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Penalty! SOFT but we’ll take it!
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Yeeeeeeeeeeees! We can do this!
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ITS ON!!!
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Sturridge is a danger man! Good to see him going off. He’s made Evra look like a shit in a trance.
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I CAN SMELL IT…. BELIEVE!!!!
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Prediction from my Deepthroat:
Welbeck to score off a rebound.
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@Opti: he got the 2nd Rooney penalty correct too!
BELIEVE!
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I find it disturbing how much better we look as a team with Paul Scholes on the pitch. Top of our list in the summer should be a playmaker. Either Modric; Gaitan;or Sneijder.
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Just wonderful. Scholes sparks a comeback. The whole team is now ticking and playing with pace and panache. Lovely take by Rooney and lovely cross from Giggs (our best crosser by far) for Hernandez
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joaskljafsjlk jklsakjl pkj 12214-938
BELIEVE
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De Gea with a wonder save! Guess he has his contact lenses in today
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Wow… Wow…… just wow!
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WOW
By the way, I agree with Colver, we need a playmaker. Scholes changed the game.
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@Moscow is my heaven: anyone see the reserve match? did cleverly play? good?
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Wow! How long we will be depending on Scholesy..???
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WOW i love united!!!
hate chelscum worst kind of players they are bullies and they dive you cant have it both ways. ether be tough or a pansy dont be both
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Save of the season by David de Gea
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Holy fuck I love being a United fan!
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Even Obertan was better than Young..No idea what Fergie saw in him and he talks about value.
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A real opportunity wasted today but credit to the lads for a passionate comeback even if there was a dodgy penalty decision or two. No Terry, no Cole, no Lampard, no Drogba and we fall behind 3-0? Seriously, just shambolic. But they did gather themselves and showed some real heart. Special kudos to De Gea for a couple of big saves and the best save of the season against Mata. If we couldn’t beat Chelsea today, will we ever beat them at the Bridge? Says a lot ab out our lack of quality. We have plenty of heart and passion but our overall quality at times is really questionable.
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@Grognard: Well we’ve got Nani, Smalling, Vidic and Cleverley out, Young just came back from injury and you could see he was suffering. Chelsea had a disadvantage by not having Terry, but Lamps and Cole? Seriously? Lampard has always been shit against us, some penalty goals but other than that he’s horrible. Chelsea look much better without him, and Cole is just a doll to Nani and Valencia. Despite him being a good player, Nani and Valencia ALWAYS get the better of him, Bosingwa did a good job stopping him today. And Torres is better than Drogba, at least against us. The Drog is immense, but never really gets his thing going against United, while Torres on the other hand performs his best against us.
To be fair, if you look at their team then today is probably the best Chelsea team we’ve faced for some time. Without Terry, yes, but they had Sturridge, Mata, Cahill, Essien, and a Torres who actually looked good today. Definately not a weak team.
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@Grognard: Grognard focussing on the negative shocker…
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Can’t believe the stick De Gea gets at times. He’s 20 years old, just moved from Spain. Poor guy is still adjusting. And everyone forgets that he RARELY plays with a set back four.
How the hell do people expect him to settle down and become EVDS?
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It is 2014 and De Gea is officially the best keeper in Europe..
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Quick Review:
I’m a bit shocked. We started well albeit a bit slow and hesitant. Then came a stalemate followed by a half-to-half overlapping disastrous and disgraceful 10 minutes from 44:00 – 55:00 left me furious and distraught. The next 30 minutes were a rush of glorious emotions (barring the unnecessary heart-attack from Torres’ fumble).
If you had told me we would draw, I would have said “acceptable”, because it leaves us in control (with a victory over City needed). With Cole, Lampard, Terry out, I was edging United for the rare win. At 3-0, I was begging for avoiding a City-like drubbing. At 3-2, I was BELIEVING. At 3-3, I was asking for a winning goal. After the game, I was breathing and with a regular heartbeat. Great game. I can live with a draw.
Quick Ratings:
De Gea: 7.5 — was poor for 60 minutes but that save lifts him up to a good game. Jesus!! W.H.A.T. a save!
Evra: 4 — poor for most of the game. Seemed slow and sleepy. Besides penalty award, was awful.
Rio: 5 — poor and disorganized. Has lost serious pace, which is troubling. Sell him, please.
Evans: 7 — thought he did quite well barring the own-goal (not his fault) .
Rafael: 7 — our best performer in first half with excellent tackling and positioning. Should have done better on Mata’s wondergoal.
Vally: 6 — average game for him. I feel like he could not handle the pressure from Media as our way-past-chelsea.
Carrick: 8 — did well. Some poor passing in 1st half but was solid in 2nd, especially with Scholes.
Giggs: 7 — did well. Had a couple magic moments but did not manage a top performance for some poor passing in final third
Young: 5 — poor all game. Poor passing, running (fit?), and crosses. Corners we (again) abysmal, albeit not his fault
Rooney: 5/8 — thought he was very poor in first half and improved a lot in 2nd half. Excellent penalties too. Needs to improve passing.
Welbeck: 6 — disappointed with his decision making (esp. in 1st 45 mins) and passing. Good runs however. Disappointed with him being subbed when we were at 3-3.
———–
Chicharito: 8 — gave him an 8 just for his goal. Excellent excellent excellent! Good runs too. Never saw replays of his off-sides, so I cannot claim he was not focused
Scholes: 8 — outstanding sub-appearance. Changed the game for the better. Brought meaning to our possession and attacks.
Park: 6 — meh. Disappointed to see him on when we were doing so well with 433. Thought we lost our way upon his introduction (last 5 minutes).
———–
Fergie: Disappointed that we did not take advantage of Cole’s absence at all with Vally being too defensive. Good to see him go 433 at 3-0 and it paid off. Bothered me when he took off Welbz and essentially giving up on the win (at 3-3). Has he lost his edge or was it necessary — that’s the fan vs. manager argument.
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Again, soft defense is worrying. Need to make a bit more passing from team. sometimes, we rely too much on individual tricks. Composed passing at final third is missing. two points drop imo.
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@Yang: I can see that POV
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Real class from the Chelsea ‘fans’ who booed Rio Ferdinand. Real class.
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@Eddie Griffin: They’ll be supporting City next season.
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