Manchester United crush Chelsea, lay one hand on the Premier League title

Manchester United outclassed champions Chelsea 2-1 to take an almost unassailable lead atop the Barclays Premier League. A solitary point form Blackburn away (next week) or Blackpool at home (the week after) would see the Red Devils claim a record nineteenth English league title. Goals from Javier Hernandez and captain Nemanja Vidic sealed the Blues fate who despite having got more than one lucky break from referee Howard Webb would consider themselves fortunate that the scoreline didn’t take a more embarrassing reading as a combination of a good save from Petr Cech and indecision in the box from Valencia, Rooney and Hernandez kept United’s tally to just two.

With Arsenal having lost at Stoke earlier in the day, it was up to the defending champions and the league leaders to battle it out for premier league title. United were dealt an early blow as established left-back, Patrice Evra missed out with an injury giving John O’Shea a start at left-back. Valencia was preferred over Nani and Chicharito kept top scorer Dimitar Berbaotv on the bench. Carlo Ancelotti, having learnt his lessons in the Champions League, went for his most potent attacking trio of Drogba, Malouda and Kalou as Fernando Torres warmed the bench. John Obi Mikel replaced Ramires in midfield.

United off to a flier:

Chicharito gave United a dream start

Manchester United were given a dream start as Ji Sung Park threaded in an inch perfect though ball that bisected the Chelsea centre halves: David Luiz’s desperate dive only helped the ball onto the path of the Chicharito who had a made a trademark run; he kept his composure and slotted home to send the Old Trafford faithful into dreamland. What was billed up as cliffhanger with the top two teams in the top flight of English football, going toe to toe, turned out to be a men against boys affair. Hernandez almost doubled United’s lead with less than ten minutes gone only to be put off by a last ditch poke by David Luiz. Petr Cech kept Chelsea in the game pulling off a fine save at full stretch from a 30 yard pile-driver from Wayne Rooney. It was an unbelievable atmosphere at Old Trafford with each Chelsea touch being jeered vociferously and before Chelsea could come to grips with the match lightning struck twice.

Nemanja Vidic: Captain Courageous scores the winner

A short corner to Giggs was followed by a beautiful step over that left Kalou for dead. This gave the 37 year old veteran time to send in a teasing cross which was headed home by a determined Nemanja Vidic. The man chasing his 12^th league medal having outfoxed Chelsea thrice in the Champions League now set up what turned out to be the final nail in Chelsea’s coffin.

Chelsea’s only real chance came form a corner that was inadvertently helped on by Hernandez but Kalou’s powerful header was matched by Edwin Van der Sar’s amazing reflexes. On either side of that chance Ivanovic was first booked after a foul on Rooney and then looked destined to be sent off but for some leniency of the highest order shown by referee Howard Webb.

Howard Webb: He was surely Chelsea's 12th man!

The official from the world cup final was called upon to make another huge decision prior to the end of the first half when Frank Lampard appeared to have handled a Valencia cross. Although there wasn’t a great deal of time for Lampard to prevent that handling, his hand was away from his body clearly denying United the advantage. Once again Webb ruled in favour of the Champions.

Second half: Chelsea ring in the changes:

With time running out, Luiz was replaced by Alex and Ramires came on for Mikel at half time. That had little effect as United looked in cruise control despite having to employ centre back Johnny Evans in place of the injured John O’Shea. Howard Webb turned a deaf year to another vehement appeal for a spot kick as Terry tripped Valencia in the box. Ancelotti finally went for the last throw of the dice bringing on Fernando Torres for Kalou. Although he remained characteristically quiet in a Blue shirt, Chelsea did pull one back with Frank Lampard tapping home from a Ramires knock down after being played on-side by Nemanja Vidic.

Lampard gave Chelsea a glimmer of hope

Rooney could have done what Park had done to Chelsea in the Champions League but his effort was brilliantly cleared off the line by Alex. Rooney had two other chances he failed two convert and Chicharito missed a sitter as he shouldered rather than headed a Valencia cross over the bar. Fernando Torres was restricted to a solitary chance that missed the near post even though United finished with four center backs after Chris Smalling had to replace the injured Fabio.

The final whistle:

Jubilant scenes from the end

There were jubilant scenes as Howard Webb brought the game to a close. There was Sir Alex doing the bows to the crowd, Giggs ecstatic and the Little Pea with tears of joy. There were question marks when Cristiano Ronaldo left whether this team had individuals capable of sustaining their dominance over a season. United have answered them in style reminding their critics that football is after all a team game. The trio of Edwin, Vidic and Rio were fabulous , Valencia made Cole appear like a reserve player, Park terrorized Chelsea midfield in the opening quarter, Rooney and Chicharito could have easily helped themselves to a hattrick and finally…….

“Men may come and men may go but Giggs goes on forever”

Chelsea no doubt had the momentum going into this one but all of that had evaporated within the opening exchanges. It’s been a signature of United’s in recent seasons in games they simply had to win at home. The Roma demolition had started in a similar fashion, Bayern Munich were down 3-0 at half time in another must win game and Chelsea could well have been at the receiving end of a hockey scoreline on another day. It was a performance worthy of champions, one that shuts critics who insinuated United were winning the title by default and once and for all a boot in the face to those who think referees favour the Reds. Like every player from Ryan to Rafael will tell you, it’s the the Old Trafford crowd that plays the 12^th man and boy did they create an atmosphere, before Chelsea could string their first real move they had been struck by a torpedo and all that was left was for the skipper to deliver the knock out punch.

A final word:

Well, a picture is worth a 1000 words

……..and we are coming to knock you off!!!