Any lingering doubts that United’s cracking start had been partly assisted by weakened, dispirited opponents lacking in confidence were dismissed in an astonishing heavyweight showdown at Old Trafford.
This was the acid test for United’s young new-look side and a game of class interspersed with comedy enthralled the nation and surely convinced any cynics that the Reds have both the mettle and majesty to go the distance in their new guise.
Chelsea came to Manchester, capital of football, in a bid to gatecrash the city’s revelry and they certainly left showing that there is a serious contender outside of our boundaries.
United had been so clinical in exposing the weaknesses of opponents that there has been a tendency to dilute their brilliant efforts.
They have made most of their league matches so far look one-sided and had everyone questioning the quality of what they were up against.
But this was a genuine contest yet the Reds still had the cutting edge to slice open Chelsea – and the steely determination to ride out a storm.
Once the Londoners had survived the 36-second mark that saw Javier Hernandez score in last May’s title decider, they suggested they had the tools to more than match United.
But their resistance lasted only seven more minutes before Chris Smalling put the Reds ahead.
TV replays reinforced Chelsea’s complaints that the defender had sneaked into an offside position to meet Ashley Young’s cross.
At the other end, meanwhile, keeper David de Gea had another legendary predecessor scrutinising his performance.
Against Arsenal three weeks ago, it was the imposing figure of Edwin Van der Sar sat in the VIP seats.
Yesterday it was Peter Schmeichel passing judgement on the Spaniard’s latest bid to win over the sceptics.
Critical
Van der Sar’s presence didn’t faze the 20-year-old against the Gunners as he made a critical save against Robin Van Persie, which allowed the Reds to cut loose with such venom. And with the Great Dane looking on, de Gea again proved his mettle to help set United on the road to another storming success.
Fernando Torres had let him off the hook once when he scuffed a chance wide before a Chelsea equaliser looked on the cards after 26 minutes.
But as the visiting fans rose to acclaim a certain leveller as Ramires steadied himself to fire home, de Gea came up with an exceptional stop.
The ‘dodgy keeper’ chants died in Chelsea fans’ throats and from that point on United grew in stature.
The Reds’ class of 2011 are an incredible attacking force and even a Chelsea side who looked more confident than anything United have faced this season simply couldn’t contain them.
Fantastic
And it was no surprise when a second goal arrived – even if the source was unexpected.
Jonny Evans – aka Paul Scholes – drilled over a fantastic cross-field pass to pick out Nani in the 37th minute and his
thundering shot was too good for Petr Cech.
Fortune was also on United’s side and played a key part in their third goal with John Terry’s attempted clearance bouncing off Nani’s chest before rolling invitingly into Rooney’s path.
His goal-a-game run in the league kept going as he swept the ball home in front of the delirious Stretford End.
United were passing their biggest test of the season with flying colours but another challenge was around the corner.
Namely, could they fend off a spirited Chelsea recovery and also absorb up the shock of a bizarre penalty miss from
in-form Rooney?
At half-time you would never have guessed the young Reds would have to answer such questions.
But they appeared to be still in interval mode when sub Anelka slipped a pass in behind a flat-footed Phil Jones and Torres ended his goal drought less than a minute into the second half. United’s response was as inevitable as it was incisive. Nani hit the bar and followed up the rebound by inviting a foul from Bosingwa.
Stunned
But Old Trafford was left stunned as he did a passable impersonation of John Terry’s infamous Moscow 2008 penalty miss when he slipped on the surface as he struck his shot.
Terry had the excuse of a sodden Russian surface that night but Rooney took a huge divot out of the turf as he made a complete hash of his spot-kick. Maybe it was the banana skin Fergie said in his programme notes might be round the corner!
While Spurs, Arsenal and Bolton had folded under the weight of United’s intense game, Chelsea were made of sterner stuff and playing a full part in what was an absorbing contest.
The outcome of the campaign won’t depend on luck, of course, but United certainly enjoyed a fair dollop of it as Chelsea threatened to claw back a point.
There wasn’t any good fortune in de Gea’s stop from Torres after 72 minutes, but the Spanish striker then hoofed the rebound high and wide.
But that was nothing compared to an atrocious miss seven minutes from time.
A nervy finale looked a cert when Torres’s neat footwork took him round de Gea, but with the Stretford End goal gaping, his misery in a blue shirt since his £50m move from Liverpool hit a new low as he shanked the ball wide.
Had that gone in, the Reds would have come under intense pressure.
As it was sub Dimitar Berbatov served up his contender for gaffe of the game in injury time with a powder-puff shot after Rooney had put him clear.
But by then United were home and dry and two points clear at the summit.
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Another thrilling game . Rode our luck a tadge although mostly our own doing in the first half . Brilliant peformances from Nani , Young , Smalling and MOM again for me Jones , incredible talent . Another vital stop from De Gea to mention as well , well done mate !
Watched the game at 3 am live over here , its 8.30 pm now , kids asleep , beer open , time to watch again !!!!
Rilo
Exiled Droylsden Red
So Johnny Evans made Nani's goal???? Nani came from half way inside he's own half.beat four players & hit a tremendous shot past one of the best GK in the World...Evans AKA Paul Scholes??? Tell us MU fans that this is a joke, or resign from your position.
The one thing that stood out from this game was woeful central midfield which continues to be our weak point in the squad. Anderson was woeful, Fletcher passed his best and Carrick carries on with the same old side and back passes which does absolutely nothing for invention and creativity.
All the attacks from United came from the wings and Rooney’s dogged determination. If we had bought Sneijder we would have dominated the midfield and not make Chelsea look better than they really are. No doubt we could have put ten past The Chavs whose defence was dodgy to say the least.
We might win the league but against Barce....
Could have been any score and Chelsea by far missed the better chances. United midfield was overrun and wasteful in possession. Wonder how much Fletcher's virus has taken out of him. And how much Cleverley's dynamism has contributed to the reborn Anderson this season? The midfield looks woefully thin on resources. Cannot see Carrick ever being first choice against top opposition again. Will be interesting to see at Leeds tomorrow if Pogbha or another young midfielder can make the step up this season.
On the positives, De Gea is settling in, Evans is a proper footballer but seems to lack a 6th sense for snuffing out danger that the very best defenders have.
Hope Wellbeck and Cleverley get fit again soon.
We are unstoppable, (CS) City, WBA, Spurs, Arsenal, Bolton, (CL) Benfica and now Chelski, that is 6 wins and a draw aswell as 25 goals, no-one can stop us, no-one can beat us. What a game, absolutely unbelieveable, we could of had 6 or 7 goals, Nani is unworldly, we has assembled a force that no-one can stop, a unbelieveable attacking machine that is ripping the league apart. The entire squad was brilliant, yes we made a few errors and due to our slow start in the 2nd half they scored a goal they never deserved but apart from that we played a pretty solid game and what a game it was, all our goals was onside no matter what the ABU press are writing, Nani and Smalling was onside and Rooney scored a good goal to but Nani's goal was unbelieveable, it was awesome. I am really enjoying watching De Gea shove the media's words back down their throats, I said he would get better with games and he is, £18m well spent. Trashley Cole should be banned for trying to take out Chicharito but the FA wont do a thing, just pure thuggery from such an average coward, hopefully Chicha wont be too badly done up and will be back quickly. Top of the League and we will not be moved, no-one can stop us. The nobody manager of Chelski comes crashing down into reality and than lets off with a delusional rant afterwards, pathetic loser. Sir Alex has done it again with such a world class attacking squad of young players as this one, the future belongs to us, Title 20 is ours come May.
In some ways this reminds me of our first season after promotion from division 2 under the Doc in 75
All out attack and the wing men bombing opponents with pace and goals in a youthful,rejuvenated red blitz on all comers to Old T
DeaGea still not 100% upto speed, but he deffo isnt Paddy Roche,very similar slight build though!
Two offside goals and a lucky ricochet for the third do not dismiss lingering doubts.
They only reinforce concerns that United get the full benefit of weak officiating at Old Trafford.
That is an ongoing disgrace.
This was an odd game in that both sides decided attack was the best policy. For United, a pairing of Fletcher + Anderson is never going to bottle up the midfield and I'm surprised that fans are bemoaning the fact that Chelsea had much of the play there. Of course they did!! United's strategy was to outscore Chelsea and they did it. Both sides missed presentable chances but, on balance, United had the better of these. I thought that Boas' interview after the match showed remarkable composure for one so young - he didn't seek to blame the ref, bad luck, Torres' unfortunate miss. When you consider Mancini's pathetic utterings (claiming City were short of players yesterday...), I suspect that Chelsea will, again, be United's principal challengers this year.
UNITED forever !
churlish to criticize after maximum points and great entertainment provided this season but the lessons of last year must be learned. playing only 2 central midfielders 2 wingers and 2 centre fowards against top class opposition allows them too much possession and not enough cover for the defence, chelsea could have easily scored 5 with more clinical fowards, even a weakened aresanal created a good few chances,with all the central midfielders having deficiencies 433 is a must especially with nanis final third ability. after last years derby i said he is almost unrivalled in his best position,with less defensive responsibilty, such a same he didnt get the start he deserved against barca in may, as poor a decision as the prior years debacle. point 2 wayne rooney is nervous as hell when taking a spot kick when the pressure is on, kudos for stepping foward but i wouldnt put a pound on him scoring. a little negative bit both problems are solvable. strange but javiers and dannys injuries could give us a nudge in the right direction if young wayne and nani get a run as a front 3 the penny might drop that they almost unplayable, and the midfield will be more solid as a 3.
Bring on Liverpool IN̶̲̅» a forthnight b4 we deal wit the noisy neighbors.
Stuart, what news of this new addition to the squad - Mr Potato ??
"He's got a slight injury," the boss said, speaking at the launch of the club's new partner, Malaysian snack giants Mister Potato. "It's not too bad, though. So he wasn't available for Sunday but he should be able to play on Tuesday and I intend to play him against Leeds United."
How can anyone slag Evans off ffs? Even yesterday he was brilliant and every game this season he has been generally very good. He might have done a little better in midweek for Benfica's goal but that's about it. Some so called "fans" are a joke. Your all very quick to slate him when he doesn't play very well like last season, yet give him no credit what so ever when he's playing well like this season. He seems to be the new "whiping boy" for no other reason than he was quite poor last season. Get off his back and actually support him and give him the credit his performances deserve so far this season and stop judging him on last season.
You must be joking about Berbatov's "gaffe". Rooney said it was a poor pass, SAF said it was a poor pass, anybody who watched it could see it was poor, especially when you consider that Rooney is an amazing passer! Berbs was fortunate to direct it on goal, and it took a very brave attempt for the Chelsea player (Cole?) to sweep it away. How the heck is that a gaffe? You writers love to hate Berbatov as much as DaGea, don't you?
Loving watching this young fearless hungry bunch of lads going for it. 3-0 up against Chelsea at half time against a team themselves unbeaten and who will be in the mix at the end of the season when trophies are handed out.
But! I give thanks to the woeful misses that Chelsea had mixed with some great saves from De Gea. Jones and Evans are doing a good job in central defence but Chelsea had more decent chances at goal than we did!
Going forward we look unstoppable and look like scoring a lot of goals!! gone has the play it safe keep the lead once we have from the past few seasons when the old wise heads have controlled the game. Now its attack attack attack which will leave our back four open.
Defensively I think we still need to improve and I see Jones as a great defensive mid sat in front of the back four once Vidic is back (Rio your place is in doubt) He will be much better at it than Carrick those runs he makes are born out of class but his defending still needs a lot of improving... He will be a stalwart of this United team for many years though, didn't think I would be seeing this much of him this year but I am glad I am, he gets me on the edge of my seat going forward.