Belief is the Word as United Rock Chelsea

Crucial Goal
By Chris O'Brien
November 8 2005

Manchester United put a horror week behind them to end Chelsea's 40-match unbeaten league run with a memorable 1-0 victory. Darren Fletcher's first-half header was enough to separate the two sides and give the Red Devils just a glimmer of hope for Premiership success.

It was another one of those afternoons for Manchester United Football Club. Just as the critics start to declare the end of an illustrious era, the Red Devils fight back in style with a strong-willed, brave and gritty display in the spirit of our great team to secure a 1-0 victory over the 'unbeatable' Premiership Champions Chelsea, ending the double winners' 40-match unbeaten run in the competition.

A packed Old Trafford put the dismal defeats at Middlesbrough and Lille behind them to roar Sir Alex Ferguson's men onto a vital three points that may well have bred new life into the title race. Russian tycoons and arrogant management have built a Chelsea team that are more than odds on favourites to secure a successive League Championships, but in the face of adversity United frustrated Jose Mourinho's side to inflict their first league defeat for 13 months.

The goal came from an unlikely source. Scotsman Darren Fletcher headed home a Cristiano Ronaldo cross on the half-hour with a goal that could change United's season. His effort could be deemed 'fluke' or 'genius' as the midfielder appeared to be heading the ball across the box only to elude Peter Cech by looping it home inside the far post. The ground erupts and the United of old are back.

The goal was deserved with United starting off strongly and putting the visitors under pressure. Paul Scholes sent an effort wide, Ronaldo missed a handful of chances and Wayne Rooney tested Cech before building pressure told in the form of Fletcher's opener. Sir Alex Ferguson needed his players to perform after one of the worst weeks in his managerial career, and they responded in some fashion with the best present to celebrate his 19th year at the helm of the club.

Chelsea got stronger in the second-half, and 64,000 United fans had to endure a half of bombardment from the Blues as they clung onto a narrow lead. After Ruud Van Nistelrooy blazed over a chance from 6-yards, the Londoners rallied and attacked in numbers as the United backline produced a remarkable rearguard display.

Having lacked some attacking impetus during the opening 45 minutes, Mourinho introduced Eidur Gudjohnsen in replacement of Michael Essien. The Icelandic international made an international with a pass to the below-par Damien Duff who scuffed his shot with only the inspired Edwin Van Der Sar to beat. The on-form United 'keeper then did superbly to block a Frank Lampard effort as he ran towards goal only moments later.

The game threatened to boil over as challenges flew in from all over the shop. Referee Graham Poll dished out seven cautions with passion the order of the day as Chelsea continued to be frustrated. In a final roll of the dice, ex-City man Shaun Wright-Phillips and Carlton Cole were both introduced as Chelsea went 'all out attack' in the frantic closing moments. Whilst the desperation increased, United grew in confidence and nearly snatched the game on the break with Rooney seeing an effort blocked on the line. It didn't matter as United held onto the win and secured that a stuttering Chelsea lose back-to-back games and have won only once in four games.

Chelsea were enjoying the lion share of possession, clocked up more than double the goal attempts of their hosts and had far more corners. However, a young United side showed their critics they have not lost their will or determination and did enough to hang onto a special three points that has given fans just a glimmer of hope that any title credentials are not unfounded. A week that saw two defeats, an array of abuse from the injured team skipper, a media backlash and 'rape' allegations can now be forgotten and United must build on this result. Keep the faith.

Full Time - Manchester United 1-0 Chelsea
Attendance - 67,864

Manchester United: Van der Sar, O'Shea, Ferdinand, Brown, Silvestre, Fletcher, Smith, Scholes, Rooney, van Nistelrooy (Park 82), Ronaldo.
Substitutes Not Used: Howard, Richardson, Bardsley, Rossi.

Chelsea FC: Cech, Paulo Ferreira, Gallas, Terry, Del Horno (Carlton Cole 78), Essien (Gudjohnsen 55), Makelele, Lampard, Joe Cole (Wright-Phillips 74), Drogba, Duff.
Substitutes Not Used: Ricardo Carvalho, Cudicini.