Chelsea Claim 2nd Place After Draw

Chelsea have officially claimed the runners-up spot in this year's Premiership after drawing 1-1 with Manchester United at Old Trafford in the final home game of The Red Devils' disappointing season.

Ruud van Nistelrooy's strike cancelled out an early Jesper Gronkjaer pile-driver minutes after Chelsea's young German defender Robert Huth was sent off after committing a second bookable offence. 

Dutchman van Nistelrooy, returning after a spell on the sidelines, had the chance to equalise from the penalty spot before half-time but his poorly place penalty was saved by Carlo Cudicini. 

The Blues have now clinched an automatic Champions League spot, leaving United set to qualify via the last knock-out stage of the prestigious cup.

The was no Roy Keane in the United 16 and a place on the bench was only good enough for Frenchman Louis Saha but Ruud van Nistelrooy returned from injury.

Claudio Ranieri had to do without Argentine duo Hernan Crespo and former Old Trafford midfielder Juan Seba Veron. Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink pulled out the the squad after suffering a knock in the midweek Champions League exit.

Icelandic international Ediur Gunjohnsen had a goal ruled disallowed for offside after the 15 minute mark but did break the deadlock just moments later.

The away side were incorrectly awarded with a corner after Tim Howard fumbled a deflected header. Geremi's corner found its way to Jesper Gronkjaer who unleashed an unstoppable shot from the wing that smashed the top corner to fire Chelsea 1-0 up.

After being booked for diving in the box, Paul Scholes was substituted early on by Louis Saha. If Scholes would have got booked just once more, he would have been suspended from the FA Cup final.

Five minutes later, Robert Huth recklessly took down Louis Saha in the box and referee Steve Bennett pointed to the spot but Ruud van Nistelrooy's weak penalty was saved by Carlo Cudicini to save Huth's blushes.

The first real chance of the second half came 25 minutes after the re-start when Gudjohnsen's close range effort was blocked by a brave Tim Howard.

Ruud van Nistelrooy was then sent clear on goal seconds later but was gauchely tripped by Robert Huth. Steve Bennett had no option but to show the German his second yellow card of the game and send him off.

The Red Devils took advantage of Chelsea's vulnerability with 10-men. Van Nistelrooy created a yard of spaced and prodded home the equaliser which proved no more than a consolation for United.

With just 10 minutes to go, Fergie threw on Kleberson and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in an attempt to try and salvage some pride in the penultimate game of the season but it didn't pay off.