The central match of the first round of the English Championship between the hosts, Chelsea footballers, and the Man Utd eleven ended with a minimal 1-0 victory for Jose Mourinho's students. The only goal of the match was scored by Icelandic player Eidur Gudjohnsen in the 15th minute.
Chelsea 1 - 0 Man Utd
15' [1 - 0]
Live comments:
I, - -, thank everyone who spent their valuable time watching the amazing match between the two English football giants. I hope the result did not disappoint you and I wish there will be many more matches like this in the future seasons.
90+3' It's over! The match is finished! Chelsea 1 - 0 Man Utd!
90+1' Will Man Utd be able to make a final push?
90' The referee adds three minutes.
88' Ricardo Carvalho replaces Geremi.
85' Kezman on the sidelines.
83' Man Utd makes a substitution as well. Liam Miller is replaced by Kieran Richardson.
82' Substitution for Chelsea. Scott Parker replaces the hero Eidur Gudjohnsen.
82' Man Utd holds the ball for about 70%...
82' Giggs' header just barely misses the goal!! It was close to being equalized!
78' O'Shea heads the ball, but it's an easy catch for goalkeeper Cech.
76' Chelsea increases the tempo of the game.
72' Substitution for Man Utd. Diego Forlan replaces Eric Djemba-Djemba.
70' First substitution. Mateja Kezman enters the field instead of Didier Drogba.
69' Howard easily saves the goal from a long shot by Smertin.
68' Kezman is preparing to enter the field.
67' Scholes and Giggs are the only ones trying to change the outcome of the match. They play actively.
62' The game has become very slow and boring...
60' Liam Miller's shot is blocked.
54' Man Utd controls the ball, but fails to create anything.
52' Corner kick near Chelsea's goal. Nothing dangerous...
48' Didier Drogba is offside for the third time.
46' Frank Lampard commits a foul.
46' The teams are playing very disciplined. No yellow cards were shown in the first half.
46' The second half begins. Chelsea leads 1-0.
Remember, last year's champions, Arsenal footballers, won against Everton with a score of 1-4.
45+1' End of the first half.
45' The referee adds one minute.
41' Bridge lifts the ball to Gudjohnsen in the penalty area, but he doesn't reach it.
40' Man Utd controls the ball in the middle of the field.
37' A very dangerous shot by Lampard... Wide...
35' Ruud van Nistelrooy's absence is felt on the field. Man Utd can't finish attacks with shots on goal.
34' Drogba's penalty shot hits the wall.
32' The 'Reds' are pressuring the opponents.
32' Scholes' shot from the penalty area approach is inaccurate.
24' Eidur Gudjohnsen fouls Roy Keane.
22' Drogba actively participates in the attack.
18' Scholes' shot from 30 meters is saved by Petr Cech.
15' Geremi lifts the ball to Drogba, he heads it to Eidur Gudjohnsen with his head, and he scores a goal with his left foot from about 5 meters.
15' Goal!!! Chelsea 1 - 0 Man Utd!!! Eidur Gudjohnsen!!!
11' Drogba offside again.
10' Man Utd takes the initiative. Their attacks become more dangerous.
9' Alan Smith fouls Wayne Bridge. Penalty kick.
6' Gary Neville crosses from the right, but O'Shea's header is off target.
4' Smertin shoots over the goal from 25 meters.
2' Drogba is offside.
1' The referee starts the match and the home team has the first possession.
Statistics:
Chelsea and Man Utd
Shots: 8 and 11
Shots on target: 4 and 3
Off-target shots: 3 and 8
Saves: 1 and 0
Corners: 2 and 3
Offsides: 4 and 2
Fouls: 18 and 8
Lineups:
Chelsea:
Petr Cech
Paulo Ferreira
Wayne Bridge
William Gallas
John Terry
Alexei Smertin
Claude Makelele
Ndjitap Geremi (subbed out 88')
Frank Lampard
Didier Drogba (subbed out 70')
Eidur Gudjohnsen (subbed out 81')
Substitutions:
Ricardo Carvalho (substituted in 88')
Adrian Mutu
Carlo Cudicini
Scott Parker (substituted in 81')
Mateja Kezman (substituted in 70')
Man Utd:
Tim Howard
Mikael Silvestre
Quinton Fortune
Gary Neville
Ryan Giggs
Roy Keane
Eric Djemba-Djemba (subbed out 73')
Liam Miller (subbed out 83')
John O'Shea
Paul Scholes
Alan Smith
Substitutions:
Philip Neville
David Bellion
Diego Forlan (substituted in 73')
Kieran Richardson (substituted in 83')
Lopez Felipe Ricardo