Manchester United’s phenomenal start to the English Premier League continued overnight in an entertaining spectacle that finished 3-1 to the Red Devils, and included a miss from Fernando Torres that has been compared to some of the worst of all time.
The home side went into the match at Old Trafford knowing that a win would lift them above rivals Manchester City, after the Citizens squandered a two-goal lead at Craven Cottage earlier in the afternoon.
And within eight minutes, it was business as usual for Sir Alex Ferguson’s men, although the opener came from a most unlikely source.
Chris Smalling latched onto Ashley Young’s free-kick and nodded home from close range past Petr Cech to make it 1-0, despite claims of offside.
On 37 minutes it was 2-0 after Juan Mata allowed Nani to waltz through the midfield before lashing a screaming drive into the top left hand corner from 25 metres.
What had at times appeared to be a close contest was in danger of turning into a rout just before the break, after more amateurish defending led to United’s third of the afternoon.
Phil Jones’ marauding run led him into the box, and despite blocking his attempted cross, the Chelsea defence failed to clear the ball, and the rebound fell to the in-form Wayne Rooney who calmly slotted home.
Chelsea were given a lifeline immediately after the break, when Nicolas Anelka’s incisive through ball found Fernando Torres, whose neat finish with the outside of his foot looped over David De Gea to make it 3-1.
The goal sparked the out-of-form Torres into life, and he broke off two defended to fire another goalbound shot soon afterwards, but De Gea this time was equal to the task.
On 55 minutes it should have been all over, after the home side were awarded a penalty only for Wayne Rooney to slip as he approached the penalty spot, and the ball slid wide.
His embarrassment was heightened moments later after John Terry failed to intercept Patrice Evra’s cross, but his mistimed shot could only find the post.
But it was Torres who would trump the England No. 10 in the closing stages.
The Spaniard easily danced past David De Gea and had the goal at his mercy to bring the margin back to one goal, only to inexplicably fire wide with his left, and was symptomatic of what was another disappointing excursion to Old Trafford for Chelsea.
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