Duff Strike Sinks United

By David Hobbs
January 27 2005

United have been knocked out-of the Carling Cup at the final hurdle to the hands of Chelsea following their 2-1 win at Old Trafford earlier this evening. Frank Lampard's strike and Damien Duff's free-kick sealed Chelsea's place in February's final at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium.

Duff Strike Sinks United
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Manchester United 1
Giggs 66

Chelsea 2
Lampard 29
Duff 84

Manchester United have been knocked out-of the Carling Cup at the final hurdle to the hands of Chelsea following their 2-1 win at Old Trafford earlier this evening.

Frank Lampard's first-half strike and Damien Duff's free-kick sealed Chelsea's place in February's final at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium with Liverpool, who brushed aside Championship outfit Watford earlier in the week.

Ryan Giggs gave Sir Alex Ferguson and his side a glimmer of hope when the Welsh Winger converted Gary Neville's cross to leave Petr Cech stranded.

The Red Devils will have little excuse of missing out in the final after ditching the policy to field a young, weakened team by fielding a near-to-full-strength side including the likes of Rio Ferdinand, Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs and Roy Keane, making his first appearance in the tournament this term.

Jose Mourinho sent out his strongest team available with Petr Cech keeping guard in-between the sticks, in favour of Carlo Cudicini.

The first clear-cut chance of the game went to the visiting side, who managed to break the deadlock from a neat piece of play. Lone-striker Didier Drogba teed up England international midfielder Frank Lampard from the edge of the area and executed perfectly with a left-footed swipe.

After the break, the game started to get competitive with midfield-maestros Claude Makelele and Roy Keane picking up bookings from Rob Styles for unsporting behaviour in the middle of the park.

Wayne Rooney was introduced just before the hour mark with Quinton Fortune making way, a substitution that may have influenced United's equalizer. Ryan Giggs finished off Gary Neville's work down the right by volleying past a hapless Petr Cech.

Catastrophic defensive and goalkeeper errors lead to Chelsea's winner. Damien Duff's free-kick calmly sailed past Tim Howard and his defending back-line. The Irishman couldn't believe his luck as it was intentionally a cross.

There was a fine line of quality at Old Trafford tonight, and witnessing this, I fear our title chances. I would personally regard this game as nothing if we were to get all 3 points against the forthcoming Arsenal game in the league.

Final Score: Manchester United 2 - 1 Chelsea
Att: 67,000

Manchester United: T Howard, G Neville, R Ferdinand, M Silvestre, G Heinze, C Ronaldo, R Keane, P Scholes, Q Fortune, R Giggs, L Saha. Subs: P Neville, W Brown, W Rooney, J O'Shea, L Ricardo

Chelsea: P Cech, R Paulo Ferreira, W Gallas, J Terry, W Bridge, C Makelele, F Lampard, C Tiago, A Robben, D Drogba, D Duff. Subs: J Cole, E Gudjohnsen, C Cudicini, J Jarosik, R Huth.

Refereed By: R Styles