The Bridge is closed! 2-1...Chelsea VS Man U after the War.

D-day has arrived and boy it did not disappoint. Manchester United the brave red devils decided to brave a trip to London and disturb the hornets nest known as Chelsea. This nest is located in Stamford Bridge the indestructable fortress built with over 100 games unbeaten record. A place where Manchester United has not scored in 6 years. This game is a must win for both teams Premiereship title dreams.This would be a match up between the seasoned coach Sir Alex Ferguson who made his way up the ranks, against the coach who many in the media believed recieved his job because of friendship, Avram Grant. I woke up at exactly 6:30 to prepare myself to watch the Saga unfold and from the first seconds of the feed I noticed some interesting details.

First Manchester United were left in the aisles for a prolonged period as the home side stayed in thier locker rooms. The commentator made note that this could be psychological game used to unravel the opponents. The next detail that interest me were the line ups. Sir Alex decided to go with the attacking option of Rooney, Nani and Giggs. In midfield he had Anderson, Fletcher and Carrick. In defense he decided to go with Vidic, Ferdinand, Brown and Silvestre. Van De Sar remained the man in goal. Looking at this line up I was surprised that Ronaldo and Evra were left off the starting line up. Ronaldo has been Man U's leading scorer and I felt playing him and resting Rooney and Tevez would be the safer option. I was also surprised that Evra was left off the line up. Evra's wingplay leads to the opening of the best of defensive lines and could have contributed to a goal for the away team. The addition of Nani also surprised me. Nani is a talented player but I did not feel he was mentally ready for such an important game. Chelsea is known to rattle their opponents to the point of getting unecessary cards or making poor decisions during play. From what I have seen this season Nani would be the perfect person for Chelsea to focus this tactic on. This is a fixture that is known for cards and bad blood in the past. That being said I concluded that Sir Alex was concerned about Tuesdays match with Barcalona and underestimated his opposing manager's capabilities. I thought the inclusion of the young Brazilian Anderson was a positive one for he not only could provide support in defense but also push forward during counter attacks.

Eventually the Chelsea team appeared on the screen in the form of Joe Cole. Soon after he was joined by his team mates. Grant decided to go with an attack lead by Drogba with Joe Cole and Salomon Kalau in support from the wing. In midfield he went with Essien, Obi Mikel and Ballack. In defense he chose Ferreira, Cole, Terry, Carvalho and Cech. My first thoughts were I that agreed with Grant's selections. He could not afford to play Drogba and Anelka up front together because this would provide space for Man U counter attacks. His addition of Essien was a good move for the Ghanian is capable of orchestrating both attacking and defensive moves. Mikel despite his reputation for being erratic and unpredictable in the past has matured greatly into a promising defensive midfielder that can crush counter attacks. Ballack also seems like a good choice. The german midfielder is in great form of late and should be able to provide passes to the attack and contribute high percentage spot kicks.

As the camera zoomed across showing different views of Stamford Bridge, all that could be seen was a sea of blue and white. There was only one pocket of probably about 15 persons in Red and Black supporting Manchester United valiantly. The whistle soon blowed and the match was off to a heart pacing start. The action was incredible, I was surprised. I was seeing attacking football from which team....I rubbed my eyes am I really witnessing Chelsea push Man U back with fluenency that rivaled Barcalona and Arsenal. Yes it was Chelsea. In the first minutes of the match Michael Essien stamped his claim on his territory taking a lovely shot made from a mishap between Brown and Van de Sar. Van de Sar reacted quickly to prevent it from passing into the goal. Minutes later Essien again attacked the goal hitting a shot outside the box that just tipped over the bar. After fervid minutes of defending Chelsea's swift attack, Man U finally gained an opportunity to counter attack. Nani burst down the right wing only to be taken out professionally by opposing attacker Kalau. This led to more Chelsea possession that created a chance for Drogba. He rose high to meet the ball and his knee came crashing in Vidic's jaw leaving the defender grounded. Vidic was unable to continue and forced Sir Alex into making an early change. He decided to utilize the multi-dimensional work horse Owen Hargreaves. Hargreaves quickly fit into the right back position, moving Wes Brown into the centre.

Man U then had another chance as Nani burst forward down the left with Rooney to his left but instead of passing the ball to an open Rooney to run into the box, Nani took a shot that blasted into the sea of blue and white. Rooney made no qualms about expressing his displeasure to the Portuguese. The rest of the first half became the Chelsea show, which had even English manager Capello leaning forward with intrigue. English national Joe Cole had two chances almost simultaneously. The first a shot pushing into the box and seeing the ball deflect away from him and secondly a great dribbling performance that took Man U defenders by surprise. His second shot was saved as Van De Sar sacrificed his face to Cole's boot to save the goal. Nani once lead the counter attack running down the right wing leaving his defender on the ground staring at his red nike boots like the brake lights of a accelerating car but Rooney was called for an off-side when the pass finally came through. The match pushed on and approached half time with both teams failing to score a goal. In the 43 minute Drogba shifted outwards to his right and recieved a ball from the midfield. He then crossed it into the box onto the head of Ballack who directed the ball to the right of the goal. Cries of jubilation circled Stamford Bridge as Ballack celebrated with his team mates with a tribute to the mother of team mate Frank Lampard. The extravagant celebration earned him a yellow card. The half ended with Chelsea succeeding in a number of passes before the quicksilver Brazilian Anderson stole the ball and pushed forward through the middle only to have it taken off his feet by an awaiting defender.

The second half began at a slower pace than the first but Chelsea maintained their dominance. Essien positioned himself down the right wing approached Brown, then preceded to push the ball forward and run to his right. Brown would have none of it and body checked him, earning himself yellow card. Just when it seemed that all was going in Chelsea's favour the advantage suddenly shifted with Manchester getting a couple chances in the Chelsea box, one chance led to an adominal injury to Rooney, but he continued to play on showing the grit of his families pugilist tradition. This pressure then led to the most unlikely of mistakes. Carvalho positioned on the right wing in midfield passed a ball back towards his goal that was intercepted by the lethal striker Wayne Rooney sneaking in on his left. Rooney while bearing the pain of an adominal injury pushed forward for a one and one showdown with Peter Cech in which his low shot created a goal. Wayne begged his team mates not hug him in celebration as he bent over in pain.

This goal shook Chelsea and the momentum soon swung in the red devil's favour. Anderson soon showed his prowness in midfield stamping ownership on claimed ground guiding the attack through the middle with neck breaking pace. Man U's captain Ryan Giggs found himself left open on the right and hit a shot from outside to box that had Cech diving to the ground to save. It was soon evident that Rooney could no longer continue and he was soon replaced by PFA Player of the year nominee Cristiano Ronaldo. Chelsea players looked fearful as they saw the Crimson shirt with the number 7 emblazoned approach the pitch during a spot kick. Ronaldo immediately drawed the attention of his opponents, as he was pulled down during the taking of the spot kick, but went unoticed by match officials. Essien used this opportunity to make a quick counter up the pitch to take a shot that went out of bounds allowing Ferguson to make his final change, putting on Oshea for Anderson. It seems that he planned to settle for a draw. His rival manager had other ideas and called upon his bench to begin warming up.

Grant decided to put caution to the wind and go for the kill taking off Ferriera and replacing him with the French marksman Nic Anelka. Anelka quickly joined Drogba upfront and Essien pushed back in right back position. In the mean time Ronaldo pushed into sole striker position with Nani giving wing support. The pace of United started to trouble Chelsea and resulted in Chelsea conceding free kicks in thier own half. Ronaldo's pace proved to be too much for Chelsea's defenders and he began to win a number of free kicks as a result of Chelsea players bringing in down to subdue his attacks. Ronaldo managed to hit a number of shots on goal that Chelsea managed to keep from crossing the goal line. After absorbing Ronaldo's onslaught on their box Chelsea managed to bring the ball forward and were awarded a free kick of their own that was taken swiftly by Drogba only to have Van De Sar make a brilliant save. This opened up a counter attack lead by Nani who sped up the pitch giving Obi Mikel no choice but to end his run with a professional foul. This foul earned the Nigerian a yellow card, but ensured that Ronaldo did not recieve a pass from his twin winger. It is now the 73 rd minute... pressure and aggitation was high among Chelsea players. They managed to win a free kick outside their opponents box. Drogba and Ballack argued furiously who should take the kick. Drogba eventually wins the arguement and takes the shot to no avail. The players continue to argue during an injury break while rehydrating themselves at the side line. Manager Grant is in close range but refuses to intervene and allows the players to resolve the issue.

The match continues to go in Manchester's favour with the chance of a death blow approaching at any given moment designed to finish Chelsea title hopes. In 77 th minute Ronaldo's skillfull dribbles on the left earns his team a free kick after he is brought down by Mikel. He stands over the ball joined by captain Giggs and team mate Hargreaves. They discuss amicably about the different options to take the spot kick. In the end Ronaldo takes the shot. His shot fails to reach the back of the net. The game bolsters on into the 80th minute and Grant shows his second card. What a Surprise! off goes Kalau and on comes Adriy Shevchenko. I could hear the critics jumping on their lap tops to tear him to shreds when Manchester United scored, or unsound fans shouting " You don't no what your doing." The once leading goal scorer in Italy has not played in the first team in months and has failed to replicate the form he had playing in Italy. I felt it was a good ploy because defenders would have to think twice with Shevchenko, Drogba and Anelka attacking.

Chelsea with a three barreled attack wagon pushed forward and Drogba began to trouble the Man U defense line. In the 83rd minute Essien approaching from the left sends in a cross into the box that is alleged to have touched Carrick's arm. The referee and the linesman both agree that a penalty should be awarded. I lean closely towards my TV as tensions rise and Chelsea players once again begin to argue who should take the spot kick. This time Ballack comes out the victor and steps to the spot. Van De Sar trying his best to rattle Ballack earns himself a yellow card for obstruction. Ballack spots the ball and at the sound of the whistle drives the ball to the right, Van De Sar anticipating the midfielders kick doved in the the opposite direction. Once again Stamford Bridge shook the foundations of London and Ballack jumped into the crowd in celebration. The referee mindful of the fact that his first celebration was in respect to a passing life decided not to award him with a second yellow which would have had him sent off the pitch. Grant then decided to close down the Bridge. He called for defensive reinforcments of the bench. He pulled back his intended attack minded substitution Bellitti and brought on the defensive rock Claude Makelele.

Manchester United was now like a wounded Tiger and started seeing red. They were now blood thirsty with revenge in their eyes. They quickly got on with the game determined to gain an equalizer. Nani placed himself in position to bring down an aerial pass with finesse and made a low pass that ran horizontal across the Chelsea box that landed on to the foot of the talisman Ronaldo. He hit a low shot that evaded Peter Cech but not his defensive partner Ashley Cole. Cole booted the ball to safety. This was the last straw that broke the camel's back and with it went Manchester's composure. Ferdinand flared and decided to start a personal battle with bad boy Obi Mikel. His manager Sir Alex was red in fury from the result as yellow cards were dished out to both Ferdinand and Hargreaves. The extra time sign drew the loudest of protests from the Chelsea supporters as they saw 5 minutes of stoppage time. Chelsea was not to be denied of their prize and decided to play keep ball to the frustration of the Manchester players and their coach alike until finally the whistle blew signaling the end of the match. The whistle was blown a little over the regulated time and Ferguson could be seen red in face kicking the stands and storming towards stairs. The Hornets managed to protect their home and their record remains intact. Both team are now level in points, minus goal differences in the league table. Time will tell if these two will be repeating this bout in Moscow come May. One thing is for certain....the embers have been stoked and whenever or where ever these teams meet again the battle will continue.

My Two Cents: My earlier article about this match up would have shown you that I am not surprised by the result. I believe that Ferguson double title dreams could lead either to Man U faltering in their final run. His failure to rest key players last week in the match against Blackburn cost him dearly. Blackburn has earned a reputation of grinding opponents into the pitch with relentless defensive strategies that include crunching tackles. Those players then had to bare travelling to Spain some of them nursing injuries. In Spain Ferguson's strategy to defend throughout the match increased fatigue. Barcalona attacked relentlessly overworking the red devils. Chelsea did not have the problem of fatigue caused from travelling. Ferguson's team selection also cost him. Failure to utilize Ronaldo at the start of the game cost him opportunities to earn spot kicks and goals. Nani may look like Ronaldo in appearance, but he lacks the mental composure one needs in a game such as this one. His pace proved to be effective in overtaking defenders however in the final stretch he made wrong decisions that led to wasted opportunities. He could have easily found himself in a position to be sent off if Ashley Cole was not in a charitable mood and begged the referee to be easy with him, after he arrived late with a studs up tackle. If Ferguson wanted to win this match his best option would have been to partner Tevez and Ronaldo in the attack instead of bringing on Oshea. Chelsea began to falter and were giving away spot kicks which are ideal for the cunning Argentine to glance a head or foot at. Tevez has scored three saving minute goals for Manchester United this season and I believe if he was placed on the pitch Manchester would have least left the pitch with a point.

Grant on the other hand must be commended for how he managed the game. His starting line provided him with the right balance of defense and attack to get the job done. When his players began to squabble instead of intervening he allow the testosterone to flow out.If had he intervened the focus on the game could have been lost. He carefully chose his substitutions allowing Ferguson to show his hand first, as Ferguson began to withdraw he began to attack. Having three reputable goal scorers at your arsenal you could almost gaurantee at least one goal. Having those three up front also puts doubts in the minds of defenders as Man U defensive line seemed to look overwhelmed in the dieing minutes. When Ballack scored the spot kick Grant then turned his focus on maintaining his advantage. He changed substitution option from Belletti to Makelele. Belletti is an attacked minded defender while Claude is a defensive midfield juggaurnaut. This should quiet all the critics, who question him due to his lack of vocal participation during press releases...at least until till Wednesday's match lol.

Match Line up: Chelsea: Drogba, Kalau, J.Cole, Essien, Ballack, Mikel, Ferriera, Terry, Carvalho, A. Cole, Cech. Bench: Anelka, Shevchenko, Belletti, Makelele, Cudicini.

Match Line up: Manchester United: Rooney, Nani, Giggs, Anderson, Carrick, Fletcher, Silvestre, Ferdinand, Vidic, Brown, Van de Sar. Bench: Ronaldo, Hargreaves, Oshea, Tevez, Kuszczak.

Final Result: 2 (Ballack 44, 86)-1 (Rooney, 57).