Premier League match time returns to Stamford Bridge, when Chelsea host Manchester United, in a first leg game on Tuesday, March 1, a match that was originally scheduled to be played on December 19, and got postponed owing to inclement weather.
Chelsea's match against Fulham was meant to be all about Torres, who replaced Drogba in the starting eleven as the prime striker for the Stamford Bridge squad. While preferring Torres to Drogba gave Chelsea greater control in midfield. Fulham were resolute as ever in defence, and Chelsea failed to convert the half-chances they had to show for all of their superior possession.
Chelsea
David Lutz used the game to showboat his considerable skills. The Brazilian had more creativity than the whole midfield combined, and his only flaw was a lunge on Dempsey in injury time that resulted in a penalty for Fulham that Dempsey himself took. And Cech made a brilliant save to prevent Lutz's solitary error from taking away from his great performance. The loss of two points has made Chelsea's title defence an impossible mirage.
In their game against Wigan in match week 28, United were off-colour, till Hernandez put them ahead, on 17 minutes. During the interim, Wigan created a few scoring chances, and the Old Trafford squad have Van der Sar to thank for not allowing Wigan to convert any of them.
Rooney was lucky that he didn't get sent off for what looked like a deliberate elbowing of James McCarthy, in the 10th minute. The iconic striker had a hand in 3 of the 4 goals, the third of which he scored. The first goal transpired after his pass to Nani (absolutely brilliant on the day) on the right flank was relayed to Hernandez who converted. Hernandez got a second goal on 74 minutes; Rooney made it 3-0 on 84 minutes, and three minutes later, Fabio completed the tally with United's fourth goal of the game. The result has put United 4 points clear of Arsenal at the top of the table, and 15 points adrift of Chelsea, who are in 5th place..
Head to head, of the last league games between Chelsea and Manchester United, the Stamford Bridge squad have won 3, while United have won 2, with the remaining game drawn.
In their last 6 league games, Chelsea have registered 3 wins, 2 losses and a draw, while Manchester United have 5 of their last 6 matches, while losing the remaining one. Chelsea have won 8 of 12 home games this season, while losing and drawing 2 each. Manchester United have 4 an lost 1, while drawing the remaining 8 of 13 games on the road.
In their last Premier League match, Chelsea drew 0-0 away at Fulham, while Manchester United's last match, away at Wigan, ended 4-0 in their favour.
In the defending champions, Manchester United can expect tougher opponents than cellar team Wigan. But on current form, it would be a steep challenge for Chelsea to take away full three points from Tuesday's game.
Chelsea's starting eleven against Fulham comprised: Cech, Ivanovic, David Lutz, Terry, Cole, Ramires, Essien, Lampard, Anelka, Torres and Malouda. Drogba and Kalou featured as substitutes.
Manchester United had the following players in their starting eleven against Wigan: Van der Sar, O'Shea, Smalling, Vidic, Evra, Fletcher, Carrick, Scholes, Nani, Hernandez and Rooney. Berbatov, Da Silva and Gibson were used as substitutes.
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