Below-Par United Hold On For A Draw At Chelsea

September 21, 2008

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United came within 10 minutes of ending Chelsea’s four-year, 84-game unbeaten run - but if they had, what a complete travesty it would have been.

Much as at Anfield, United were shocking for two-thirds of the match. For the first twenty minutes they passed well, controlled possession and had Chelsea on the back foot. Park-Ji Sung pounced to give United a deserved lead on 18 minutes, after a marauding run from Patrice Evra.

Thereafter, however, United were a shadow of themselves, unable to string more than three passes together, edgy at the back and manifestly not sure about how they should shape up, up front.

It’s been a tough two games for Dimitar Berbatov, but the talented Bulgarian is going to have to work a hell of a lot harder than he did today to keep Carlos Tevez out of the line up.

Rooney had another of his less effective games, expecting way too much time on the ball and slowing down play just when it needed quickening up.

Also slowing down play was whistle-happy referee Mike Riley who had a shocking match, fragmenting play as often as he possibly could for even the most minor infringements.

Chelsea dominated the second half without being impressive. United’s defences were eventually breached on 80 minutes, when an unnecessary tackle by Rooney gave Chelsea a free kick in a dangerous area. Mikel swung the ball in to the box for Salomon Kalou to head past replacement keeper Tomasz Kuszczak, who stood rooted to his line when he should have been meeting the ball in the melee.

Given how poorly they played, United will consider this a point gained, rather than two lost. Yet they must begin to play much, much better - starting at home to Bolton next week.

0-1 Park

1-1 Kalou

First Half Highlights

Ronaldo chance second half

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