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Chelsea Special: Brilliant Blues Prove They Are Just The Better Side
John Terry and co put in performance of champions.
Nov 8, 2009 1:20:08 PM
By Alex Dimond
Oh the irony.
Carlo Ancelotti might be the Italian, but it was Sir Alex Ferguson who employed the catenaccio style made famous by the Azzurri as he tried to give his side the best chance of getting a result in this pivotal Premier League match.
In the end that still wasn't enough, however, as Ancelotti's resilient Chelsea edged a game where two great sides struggled to contain each other.
It was perhaps understandable that the Scot sent his side out with a defensively-minded approach, considering the differing recent results of the two sides and the injury problems affecting his squad.
And it was a tactic that looked to pay dividends as Manchester United's man-marking approach — every member of Chelsea's midfield diamond was accounted for — effectively disrupted Ancelotti's free-flowing side.
However John Terry's late header, from a Frank Lampard free-kick, proved the slim difference between the two sides as the Blues went five points clear at the top of the league.
The manner of the victory was as significant as the result itself.
United put in a disciplined away performance that is the stuff champions are made of, but Chelsea proved themselves capable of dealing with that.
Less mentally tough sides — perhaps including the Blues side that faced Aston Villa last month — would have lost this game.
But the Blues did not over-extend themselves going forward in a desperate pursuit of a winner, and thus prevented a smash-and-grab defeat that, especially with Rooney in such compelling form, could easily have been inflicted.
This was two sides cancelling each other out with their excellence. Rooney in particular put in an inspired performance as he led the line for his side, but Carvalho and Terry used all of their considerable experience to keep him at bay.
At the other end, United's midfield worked efficiently as a unit to cancel out the superior physical abilities of their opposite numbers.
Harsh bookings to Branislav Ivanovic, Didier Drogba and Ricardo Carvalho indicated that perhaps this wasn't going to be the home side's day.
But Terry's late header (although Nicolas Anelka also came away claiming the crucial touch), from a fortuitously awarded free-kick, changed all that.
Full credit then to United for a very impressive performance. But the fact that, despite their efforts, Chelsea still came away with the win says a massive amount for their ability.
Now five points clear at the top of the table, Chelsea are not champions yet but they have made a real move at this early stage in the season, one that other sides will surely struggle to keep pace with.
Sir Alex Ferguson might come away from Stamford Bridge with complaints about the referee, but he won't have any complaints about the performance of his side.
That says it all.
Pure and simple, they were just beaten by a better side.
Alex Dimond writes for Goal.com UK
For more news on England, visit Goal.com's England section!
Oh the irony.
Carlo Ancelotti might be the Italian, but it was Sir Alex Ferguson who employed the catenaccio style made famous by the Azzurri as he tried to give his side the best chance of getting a result in this pivotal Premier League match.
In the end that still wasn't enough, however, as Ancelotti's resilient Chelsea edged a game where two great sides struggled to contain each other.
It was perhaps understandable that the Scot sent his side out with a defensively-minded approach, considering the differing recent results of the two sides and the injury problems affecting his squad.
And it was a tactic that looked to pay dividends as Manchester United's man-marking approach — every member of Chelsea's midfield diamond was accounted for — effectively disrupted Ancelotti's free-flowing side.
However John Terry's late header, from a Frank Lampard free-kick, proved the slim difference between the two sides as the Blues went five points clear at the top of the league.
The manner of the victory was as significant as the result itself.
United put in a disciplined away performance that is the stuff champions are made of, but Chelsea proved themselves capable of dealing with that.
Less mentally tough sides — perhaps including the Blues side that faced Aston Villa last month — would have lost this game.
But the Blues did not over-extend themselves going forward in a desperate pursuit of a winner, and thus prevented a smash-and-grab defeat that, especially with Rooney in such compelling form, could easily have been inflicted.
This was two sides cancelling each other out with their excellence. Rooney in particular put in an inspired performance as he led the line for his side, but Carvalho and Terry used all of their considerable experience to keep him at bay.
At the other end, United's midfield worked efficiently as a unit to cancel out the superior physical abilities of their opposite numbers.
Harsh bookings to Branislav Ivanovic, Didier Drogba and Ricardo Carvalho indicated that perhaps this wasn't going to be the home side's day.
But Terry's late header (although Nicolas Anelka also came away claiming the crucial touch), from a fortuitously awarded free-kick, changed all that.
Full credit then to United for a very impressive performance. But the fact that, despite their efforts, Chelsea still came away with the win says a massive amount for their ability.
Now five points clear at the top of the table, Chelsea are not champions yet but they have made a real move at this early stage in the season, one that other sides will surely struggle to keep pace with.
Sir Alex Ferguson might come away from Stamford Bridge with complaints about the referee, but he won't have any complaints about the performance of his side.
That says it all.
Pure and simple, they were just beaten by a better side.
Alex Dimond writes for Goal.com UK
For more news on England, visit Goal.com's England section!
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