Chelsea vs Manchester United - a review

What was billed to be the league leaders’ toughest test till date truly was their toughest test till date. If, pre-game, it was the opposition that was billed to be the tough part, during the game it was made even tougher by some refereeing decisions that were questionable, at best and absurd, at worst.

For the first half hour or so, United were quickest off the blocks, so much so that Chelsea looked distinctly hung over from their mid-week exertions. United scored very early on through a David Luiz own goal and then through a van Persie strike. It seemed that United had reversed the conceding early trend and were looking to be cruising to victory.

However, as it often is the case in these games, the tide turned, slowly at first and then gathered momentum to become an absolute storm. The last 10 minutes of the first half were all Chelsea and United were lucky to not concede more than the one goal that they did concede. The mood at the Bridge was transformed and going into the break, Chelsea looked the more happy and confident team despite United being in the lead.

The second half started off where the first ended with Chelsea on the upper foot, so to speak and sure enough, a flowing move, an exquisite piece of control from Mata, a beautiful chip by Oscar and Ramirez equalized. It looked, at that point, as if it were only a question of when rather than if Chelsea would take the lead.

However, again, as these games often do meander through their course, there was a period of relative lull when United looked to be regaining some sort of footing with a small spell of possession. Soon, however, the game turned on its head. Ashley Young was put through on goal by van Persie and had his heels clipped ever so slightly by Ivanovic. Ivanovic was the last man and referee Clattenberg figured that he had no option than to send him off.

Hernandez came on for for the average Cleverley and Sturridge was stripped off and ready to go on when the game’s biggest talking point occurred. Roberto Di Matteo wanted Sturridge on the pitch but the referee did not notice and the free kick was taken quickly by Chelsea. The ball went upfield and Torres chased it gamely. Jonny Evans tacked Torres and Torres went sprawling on the floor. The referee rushed to the spot and pretty much everyone knew what was coming next: a yellow for Jonny. Only, it wasn’t that.

The referee went straight over to Torres and booked him. To rub salt into that wound, it was to be Torres’ second yellow card of the afternoon, sending him for an early shower and bringing Chelsea down to nine. Rooney, who was booked for an impetuous foul in the first half came close to being booked again and Sir Alex, wisely, sent Giggs on for him.

United were waiting patiently and grinding down the nine men of Chelsea until finally they found a way through. Robin van Persie‘s shot was parried by Cech onto the crossbar and it was partially cleared to Rafael who drove it across the face of goal and Hernandez got on the end of it to steer it home. Only, Hernandez was offside. It was marginal but he was offside. It was not the easiest call in the world but the linesman did get it wrong.

The match then was largely United holding out for the win, maintaining possession and largely playing the percentage game. There was, however, one moment of panic when Jonny Evans and Rio collided with each other but somehow the ball was cleared and the danger passed.

The game truly was an excellent game right up to the point of the dismissals. The first one, the referee can always argue, is the letter of the law. The second, however, was comical and pretty much killed the game off.

Manchester United did get the rub of the green at Stamford Bridge this time out, with not one but three key decisions going in their favour. Like they say, when it rains, it pours.

End result: The gap between the top 3 is a solitary point.