Chelsea vs Manchester United: The good, the bad and the ugly

THE GOOD

Chelsea

• As for Chelsea, it was a brilliant test of character, playing without their old line-up consisting of Drogba, Cole, Terry and Lampard. What was a run-away victory for Man Utd was halted by the new back four. Giving away just one goal in a run of play scenario against Man Utd is brilliant.
• Essien playing the full 90 minutes was something AVB will be happy about the game. They will require his services to break down the oppositions attack, especially against Napoli in the Champions League.
• For a change, no questions will be raised against AVB about his gameplan. Playing Mata in a free role brought out the best out of him.
• Bosingwa was firm and replied to his critics in style who had started the #WhyBosingwa Thread on Twitter in protest of him being chosen over the young Bertrand. A new contract will not be surprising.
• Ivanovic was excellent playing at right back, a position he hadn’t played for some time now. Taming Young and Evra was never an easy task and his last ditch interception of Welbeck saved the blushes for Chelsea’s defence.
• Chelsea now extend their unbeaten home record in the league over Man Utd to 10 years.

Manchester United

• Manchester United on the other hand were more composed and disciplined. It looked as if they would take away the game from Chelsea anytime.
• Scholes provided Man Utd of the much need possession and was more likely the catalyst of the result.
• Rooney stepped up when his team required him the most, and his two goals from penalties proved vital for United.
• Chicarito proved once again that he can be counted upon when needed. Will surely climb back into the Staring XI in no time.
• Giggs made sure he won the battle of the midfield with Meireles and also showed his versatility in changing roles from central midfield to a winger.
• Manchester United will be more motivated by the result and can carry the impetus in the matches to come.

THE BAD

Chelsea

• With less than 50% possession, Chelsea were unsurprisingly over-relying on Juan Mata. Definitely didn’t look like they were playing at the Fortress of yesteryear’s. Losing a 3-0 lead for whatsoever reasons is unacceptable.
• Flo-Mo who has turned into Slo-Mo was anonymous in the game. He has been losing the pace he once had and his departure seems inevitable when Kalou returns.
• Torres missed yet another chance which he would have nailed a few years ago. Taking on a poor partnership of Ferdinand and Evans should have seen him score. He hasn’t been able to carry on his previous goal tally against Manchester United.
• Taking off Sturridge was totally uncalled for and will demotivate the lad who has given his all. Taking off the highest scorer is unacceptable especially when Man Utd were showing potential signs of a comeback.
• The partnership of Luiz and Cahill was shaky and it looks like Luiz will have to warm the bench despite assisting the 3rd goal.

Manchester United

• When you play against one of the weakest team Chelsea has ever put out which includes an entirely new backline, its shocking when you cant capitalize on it. Sure Manchester United made a good comeback snatching a draw. But they weren’t supposed to go 3-0 down in the first place against a side whose attack hasn’t been in the best of forms.
• Park and Berbatov weren’t given a chance early in the second half to take the game away from Chelsea.
• De Gea made some good saves but he is still a bit shaky with crosses.
• Rio Ferdinand and Evra were very poor. Luckily for them, Sturridge was taken off and they had to deal with Torres who is low on confidence which made them look good in the final minutes of gametime.

THE UGLY

As always, one or two decisions can effect the outcome of a match. In the first half, Howard Webb scored his first err..Howler. A free kick at the edge of the box was the least that Man Utd expected after Gary Cahill brought down Danny Welbeck.

Webb also gave away two soft penalties which were highly debatable, especially the Welbeck one.

The game was one which could define the pathway for the rest of the season. Though Chelsea will be happy with a point, it certainly won’t be happy with the fashion it has gained it. On the other hand Manchester United will be disappointed for not taking advantage of this weaker side. All in all, there may have been no winners on Sunday, but the referees were certainly the losers.