Chelsea 2-1 Man Utd: As It Happened

Preamble Good afternoon everyone from sunny London. Yes, you read that right: spring has arrived, the temperature is in the high teens, and like Noel Edmonds' peroxide-tinged locks, the weather looks set fair for a while to come. United come to Stamford Bridge knowing that a win or a draw will pretty much make the title safe, but if Chelsea can grind out another dull win it'll be game on again.



Team news Frank Lampard, whose mother passed away on Thursday, has been given compassionate leave, while Claude Makelele and Florent Malouda, who played at Liverpool in the week, are rested. Mikel John Obi, Michael Essien and Salomon Kalou come in. Meanwhile United have decided to make six changes, including resting Carlos Tevez and Cristiano Ronaldo. However Nemanja Vidic is fit again after a dicky tummy problem.

Chelsea: Cech, Ferreira, Carvalho, Terry, Ashley Cole, Ballack, Obi, Essien, Kalou, Drogba, Joe Cole. Subs: Cudicini, Makelele, Shevchenko, Belletti, Anelka.

Man Utd: Van der Sar, Brown, Ferdinand, Vidic, Silvestre, Fletcher, Carrick, Anderson, Nani, Rooney, Giggs. Subs: Kuszczak, Hargreaves, Ronaldo, O'Shea, Tevez.

Referee: Alan Wiley (Staffordshire)



The first email of the day is in... "You asked for predictions, well here's mine," says Tyrone Jacobs. "Chelsea 2-2 Man Utd. Chelsea have to go for it, and I reckon they will. It's going to be a cracker." Not according to Sir Alex Ferguson, it won't. He's just been on Sky, admitting: "There won't be a lot of goals in this, I can promise you that". We'll see.



1 min We're off! "These matches are the footballing equivalent of clothes shopping," sighs Archi Campbell. "You know you have to do it at some point, but it's the most boring thing in the world and you end up with a result that no one's very happy about."



2 min Two early chances for Chelsea! First, Wes Brown misplaced his header to Edwin Van Der Sar, who fumbled it nervously. Rio Ferdinand's scythed clearance went straight to Michael Essien, who shot over. Then Soloman Kalou dribbled into the area, head down. He could have played it to Essien in space, but didn't see him. Eventually the ball did go to Essien, whose weak shot was easily saved.



4 min Chelsea have started well, which is perhaps why Kristof Szentpetery has come out fighting. "Re: 'If Chelsea can grind out another dull win ...' Yawn. Can you not summon up the energy this Saturday to think of an original line?" It might not be original, Kristof, but it's true. The Chelsea season-ticket holders I know all say the same thing. And the last time I saw Avram Grant's side in the flesh, against Fenerbahce at home, they all-too-frequently had six defenders in a long across they penalty area … when they were 1-0 up. At one point the home crowd were so frustrated they were singing: "We're supposed to be at home." Look, Chelsea may be effective but don't kid yourself, Kristof. They are dull - especially considering the talent they have.



6 min First signs of life from United as Wes Brown jiggles down the right, gaining 10, 20 and 30 yards before being tackled. So far the game is open and both teams are going for it. Can it last?



8 min "Joe Cole is always up for it, but how does Drogba look?" asks Julian Menz. "C'mon tell us, tell us." Right now he looks concerned, Julian. He's just accidentally kneed Nemandja Vidic in the mouth, and the United defender has blood splurting everywhere. He looks like Jaws from James Bond after being punched in the mouth.



10 min Vidic struggles to get up, but he's clearly groggy, and falls down again. He doesn't look well at all. The stretcher team is coming on and John O'Shea is warming up. Drogba continues to stand over Vidic, making sure he's all right.



11 min United are yet to decide whether to replace Vidic, who has gone down the tunnel for treatment. They've reshuffled things, but they look nervy. Corner to Chelsea ...



12 min ... which comes to nothing. But it's all Chelsea now. Essien wriggles his way into the area, past a couple of defenders before Rio Ferdinand humps it clear.



13 min The ball comes straight back into United's box. Kalou, under pressure from Rio Ferdinand, skids over in the box but it's never a penalty.



15 min United substitute: Hargreaves for Vidic.



16 min Chelsea have a free-kick on the right-hand side of United's box, near the corner flag. It's a dangerous position, but Ballack's delivery is poor. The clearance falls to Essien, who slips and suddenly United have a three v three. Nani takes the ball from inside his own half to 10m from Chelsea's penalty area, but with Rooney outside him waiting for a pass, he Stams it high, high, high into the stand.



18 min It's still mostly Chelsea. "I'm trying to figure out just how many babies have Vidic and Cech murdered?" says Jon Cummins. "Their karma with injuries recently has been unbelievable."



20 min "Is there much of an atmosphere at the match?" asks Ian Coperstake. "Must be difficult especially for Chelsea to really be up for it after the death of Lampard's mum." It's a cracking atmosphere, Ian - helped by both teams (and supporters) really going for it. United have a free-kick halfway inside Chelsea's half, but Nani's delivery is terrible and Cech makes an easy take.



22 min Joe Cole hits the post! With United's defenders backing off and their midfield awol, Cole is able to run straight into the penalty box. He loses it, but United's clearance hits (I think) Anderson on the back - and it falls to Cole again, whose shot crashes off the woodwork.



24 min Possession stats: [Minute-by-minute report dons anorak] Chelsea 63%-37% Man United.



25 min More superb jinking footwork from Joe Cole, who beats Brown and Ferdinand with some Gazza-esque close control, before Van Der Sar makes a smothering save. United's keeper gets a kick in the face for his troubles.



27 min What a cracking game - if only Chelsea played with such attacking intent every week. Speaking of which: "Re: Kristof Szentpetery's comments, you're right - Chelsea are dull and I say that as someone who remembers the days of the 80s when a successful season for us meant a halfway-decent Cup run and no relegation worries," says Mark Smith. "Lord knows I don't want to go back to those days, but am I the only Chelsea supporter who hankers for the late 1990s - remember the FA Cup game against Liverpool when Chelsea were 2-0 down at halftime and won the game 4-2? For the whole second half, they played some electric, unstoppable football - give me those days when we had less silverware, but played with so much more style and weren't so damn dislikeable."



29 min Chelsea win another corner, but Kalou's cross hits the first United defender. It's all Chelsea right now - they should be ahead.



30 min Now Joe Cole shots wide from a tight angle, just inside the six-yard box. "I agree with Fergie's decision to rest Ronaldo, Scholes, Evra, etc, but why not just rest everyone?" asks Jon Cummins. "With this team selection I suspect that Chelsea will win, so why not just rest Rooney, Rio and Carrick too? Granted such a team selection could lead to a thrashing, but surely the Champions League has to be more important for Ferguson right now." It is, but a point today ends the title race. And can you imagine the outcry if Fergie fielded a reserve team today and United ended up winning nothing this season?



32 min And breathe ...



34 min After Chelsea win a free-kick inside United's half there's a delay while the crowd waits for John Terry to run to the penalty area. And waits. And waits. Still, it was nearly worth it: Cole's kick found Terry's forehead, but the Chelsea captain headed over the bar.



36 min A rare United foray ends with Wayne Rooney being ruled offside. "I have to admit as a United fan that I think this is another shaky line-up and strategy that the great man has come up with," worries Joseph Murray. "Darren Fletcher? I thought he was lost and buried along with all the Iraq WMDs. Silvestre? I can't see where many goals are going to come from and the defence looks average." True ... but they're hanging on for now. Just.



38 min Carrick plays a lovely pass betwen Terry and Ferreira but Giggs is a yard offside. Fletcher then sends Ballack sprawling, but the referee Alan Wiley prefers to give United's midfielder a talking to, not a yellow card.



40 min Now Drogba is accusing Fletcher of poking him in the eye. Replays suggest it was accidental, but Drogba is having none of it.



42 min The atmosphere continues to be superb. United's fans have found their voice at last and are singing "Champeones, Champeones - Ole! Ole! Ole!" while giving Chelsea supporters the, er, universal shake 'n' vac gesture. Such jubilance looks a ltad premature, seeing how Chelsea are dominating this game.



43 min A rare United attacking free-kick is headed over by Nani. Cristiano Ronaldo, on the bench, mutters to himself in disgust.



44 min Referee Alan Wiley continues to be Brian Paddick lenient: Nani goes through the back of Ashley Cole, but again it's only a talking-to, not a yellow card.



45 min "I've a fair bit of respect for Chelsea," says Gary Naylor. "Prior to the Sky millions, the template for winning the title was to win your home games and not lose the away games. That formula was delivered by pragmatic play, wins secured when out of form and a monumental self-belief. That's pretty much Chelsea. In those days, teams with flash players like Ronaldo and Tevez would be 'Cup teams', too vulnerable to injuries (deliberately inflicted by the opposition) and too shallow in squad for the 42-match long haul. In these days of all international reserve teams, the old rules don't apply - more's the pity."



Goal! Chelsea 1-0 Man Utd (Ballack 45+1 min) Superb play by Drogba, who holds off Brown and Silvestre (who then strangely sit off him) before crossing to Michael Ballack, whose thumping back-post header smashes into the back of the net. Chelsea are in front, and they deservedly too.



45+3 min After the goal, Chelsea's players grabbed a No8shirt with 'RIP Pat Lampard' on it in tribute to Frank Lampard's mum, and waved it into the air. Michael Ballack also took his shirt off, and was cautioned.



Half-time What a cracking game. If only every Big Four encounter was this good.



46 min We're off again, with United kicking from right to left on my TV. "I know it's the letter of the law, but it seems a bit rubbish to me that Ballack gets a yellow card when Wiley didn't see fit to give Nani anymore than a talking to," says Martin O'Connor (along with several others). "Seriously, which of the incidents is more dangerous? And I'm a Spurs fan, so not motivated by blue-tinted glasses."



47 min The question is, will Chelsea go for a second or defend the 1-0? No substitutions at half-time, by the way.



48 min The impressive Cole makes another zipping run down the right, cuts inside and is eventually tackled by Anderson. "Good to see you doing an MBM," says Joe Pearson. "It's been a while. Love the look of the new site, but it is hell on BlackBerry. Takes an age to load. Refresh! Refresh! Refresh! Gah!" We're working on it, Joe.



50 min It's a slightly more cautious start to the second half, especially from Chelsea. Carlos Tevez and Cristiano Ronaldo are warming up - judging by the way Wayne Rooney is gingerly feeling his groin, he may be one of the players to be subbed.



52 min Wes Brown blatantly blocks off Michael Essen and is rightly booked. Chelsea have a free-kick, about 40 yards from United's goal ...



53 min ... Mikel takes it, but his delivery bobbles apologetically across the ground before being hacked clear. Poor, very poor. United break and Giggs - who's been very quiet day - curls a lovely inswinger between Cech and his back four. But there's no United player who is close to it.



55 min Another United corner comes to nothing and Chelsea fast break. But Kalou is unable to control Cole's pass and United clear.



Chelsea 1-1 Man Utd (Rooney 56) Unbelievable! From absolutely nothing, United get an equalizer. Chelsea have a free-kick inside their own half, Ferreira strokes it to Carvalho, who absent-mindedly behind him to Rooney. Rooney takes it 30 yards, holds off Terry, and slots it into the bottom corner.



58 min A Chelsea corner comes to nothing. Before it was taken, Ballack gave a pep-talk to Carvalho, along with a firm pat on the backside. But it doesn't work: Carvalho, who has been brilliant this season, looks decimated.



60 min Chelsea have a free-kick 22 yards out. Ballack places the ball ...



61 min ... and thumps a Sunday-morning special which evades the wall but hits Nani then Carvalho and goes for a goal-kick.



62 min United are stroking the ball around nicely. "Why is it that people with Blackberrys insist on calling them Blackberrys," asks Paul Williams. "Surely its just a mobile phone like any other? Why not call it a phone? People with Blackberrys can scamper off to their own little yuppie world where everyone owns a blackberry and drinks cranberry juice – and probably eats prawn sandwiches. On a more serious note, Ballack doesn't really have a leg to stand on regarding his caution. It may be a daft rule, but everybody knows it: what is the point in breaking it and therefore guaranteeing a caution?"



64 min Better from Nani, who skiddles inside before passing to Giggs. The Welshman's shot is straight at Cech, although it swerves this way and that, and Chelsea's keeper pushes it wide for a corner.



65 min Before the corner, Ronaldo replaces the hobbling Rooney. And immediately he's at the center of a controversy: because as the ball comes over, Ballack prefers to hold him with the force of a desperado clinging on to a hostage rather than watch the ball. On Sky, Andy Gray wonders why such incidents are never given as penalties, I agree.



66 min United sub: O'Shea on, Anderson off.



67 min Chelsea sub: Ferreira off, Anelka - who is yet to score at Stamford Bridge since his move in January - on.



69 min United have a free-kick, 35 yards out and central. Ronaldo puts his bootlaces through it, but it hits the Chelsea wall. "I'm sorry to be ridiculously pedantic," says Marty O'Connor. "but ... " But? "Please don't use 'decimated' to imply nearly destroyed. It means to reduce by one tenth, so unless Carvalho somehow lost eigt or so kilograms, it's not the right term."



71 min Ashley Cole is whining and stropping again. This time after fouling Ronaldo - a decision he disagrees with. But again Wiley calms things and life goes on. This has been a much more even second-half.



72 min Carvalho's shot, from a very wide angle, is turned away for a corner. That comes to nothing, but Nani then catches Terry about 25 yards out and central. United's players protest vehemently but this is a chance. Ballack and Drogba, meanwhile, are having a right barney before Drogba eventually places the ball down ...



73 min ... and sidefoots it around the wall. It's heading for top corner, put Van Der Sar paws it away from goal.



75 min Drogba is still whinging away - first at Ballack, who turns his back on him. then at Steve Clarke on the sidelines, and then at Kalou. Amazing scenes. Chelsea have 15 minutes to save their season, and Drogba is being a prima-donna. Again.



77 min Chelsea are really going for it now; they have a line of four forwards at times. And Carvalho is going up whenever they attack - he's just had a shot that went well over the bar.



78 min Mikel is booked for another challenge, 35 yards out. Ronaldo fancies this ...



79 min ... but his deflected shot hits the wall and squirms into Cech's arms. Meanwhile Joe 'Blackberry' Pearson is back. "I call it a Blackberry, because that is what it is," he says. "Until recently, you wouldn't want to use a Blackberry as a mobile phone, because they sucked as phones. Nevertheless. By the way, since I'm just a hick from the Midwest, I'm not sure I'd even recognize a prawn sandwich, much less eat one."



81 min There's a delay in play while Hargreaves gets treatment/wastes time after a nothing collision. Meanwhile, Andrei Shevchenko - who hasn't started a Premier League game since last December - has replaced Salomon Kalou.



83 min The Chelsea crowd are baying for a penalty, but I'm not sure why: Drogba controlled a long ball on his arm, and as Silvestre and Brown challenged him and Van Der Sar took the ball off his feet, he tumbled over. But even Drogba wasn't appealing.



84 min Penalty! The assistant referee is flagging away after seeing Mikel's cross hit Carrick's arm. It did, but United's players aren't happy: Carrick didn't exactly pull his arm away, but it wasn't hand to ball either. Lampard, Chelsea's normal penalty taker isn't playing, so it will be Ballack to step up ...



Chelsea 2-1 Man Utd (Ballack 86) ... to score. Van Der Sar is sent the wrong way, and United have four minutes to level this. Right now the teams are level at the top of the table, though United have by far the better goal difference.



87 min Chelsea sub: Cole off Makelele on. Should also mention that Van Der Sar was booked for time wasting before the penalty.



88 min From the kick-off, Ronaldo goes for goal, but his shot went over the bar. Meanwhile Drogba has been booked for time wasting.



89 min United immediately regain possession. The ball comes to Ronaldo on the edge of the area. His shot beats Cech but is cleared off the line by Ashley Cole! Apologies for the frantic nature of my updates, with so much going on there's not much room for insight and analysis.



90 min Sir Alex Ferguson is fuming again: he believes United should have had a penalty for something or other. There will be five added minutes of injury time.



91 min Now a Darren Fletcher shot is cleared off the line - by Andrei Shevchenko of all people ...



90+2 min ... and, almost immediately, there's an almighty push-athon between Ferdinand (who is booked) and Mikel. Several other players pile in too, but eventually the referee calms things down.



90+3 min Chelsea at last are able to hold on to the ball and Drogba kills time by the corner flag and wins a corner. "Yet another bit of pedantry, but happily to silence Marty O'Connor's (69 min) incorrect claim, says Jeff. "The historical context, yes, is to reduce by one tenth; the Romans would execute one in ten men of a 'mutinous legion', and Cromwell's tax on the Royalists was then known as a 'decimation'. However, the definition of decimate is 'kill, destroy, or remove a large percentage or part of'. Your faithful servant, as long as I'm not in a rebellious legion of ten." So now you know. I think.



90+5 min The Chelsea fans are whistling away as Drogba and Shevchenko play keepball on the halfway line before the latter feeds Anelka, whose shot is held by Van Der Sar. Seconds later, referee Wiley blows his whistle.



Full time That's it! A brilliant match ends up, rightly, in a Chelsea victory. Two weeks ago, Manchester United were 1-50 favorites for the Premier League, and seemingly home and hosed, but no more. With two games to go, it's all to play for although United - who have to play Wigan away and West Ham at home - remain favorites. Thanks for all your many emails, cheers, Sean.