Honours Even in Top of the Table Showdown

Goalscorer
By Chris O'Brien
November 27 2006

Manchester United remain top of the Premiership table following a 1-1 draw with Chelsea at Old Trafford. Louis Saha bounced back from his nightmare display at Parkhead to net the opening goal; only for Ricardo Calvalho to level things up with a second-half header.

Manchester United maintained their three point lead at the top of the Premiership table with a 1-1 draw against Chelsea.

Louis Saha bounced back from his penalty miss against Celtic to give the Red Devils a first-half lead; but a Ricardo Calvalho header restored parity after the break.

Sir Alex Ferguson named, arguably, his strongest line-up. Wayne Rooney partnered Louis Saha up front in a 4-4-2 position; with Ryan Giggs, Cristiano Ronaldo, Paul Scholes and Michael Carrick making up the midfield quartet.

United broke the deadlock on 29 minutes as Saha silenced his mid-week critics. The French international produced a brilliant piece of skill to curve the ball around Carlo Cudicini, sending the home fans into ecstasy. It was little more than Sir Alex Ferguson’s men deserved after creating the better chances and restricting the visitors to largely long-range efforts at goal.

Chelsea grew stronger after the interval and deservedly drew level with twenty minutes remaining on referee Howard Webb’s watch. Frank Lampard’s corner was neatly headed past Edwin Van Der Sar by Calvalho as the hosts leaked only their third home league goal of the campaign.

United won’t be too disappointed with the result as it keeps them clear at the top of the Premiership table. Chelsea threatened to steal the points throughout the second-half and enjoyed long spells of possession throughout so, on reflection, a point is not a bad return.

Full Time – Manchester United 1-1 Chelsea
Attendance – 75,948

Manchester United: Van der Sar, Neville, Ferdinand, Vidic, Heinze, Ronaldo (Fletcher 86), Carrick, Scholes, Giggs, Rooney, Saha (O'Shea 86).
Substitutes Not Used: Kuszczak, Evra, Silvestre.
Chelsea: Cudicini, Geremi (Robben 46), Carvalho, Terry, Ashley Cole, Essien, Makelele, Ballack (Ferreira 90), Lampard, Shevchenko (Joe Cole 75), Drogba.
Substitutes Not Used: Hilario, Boulahrouz.