Chelsea 1-0 Manchester United: John Terry Header Wins It for Blues

Shaun Botterill/Getty Images

A tight game at Stamford Bridge was decided by a John Terry  goal in the second half as Chelsea defeated Manchester United .

The visitors had the best of possession in the opening minutes, but it was Chelsea that created the first chance of the game. Branislav Ivanovic broke down the right flank and drove into the United penalty area. The Serbian's cross was blocked, but he recovered possession and drilled a shot towards the far post. Edwin van der Sar got down quickly to his right and made a comfortable save.

Wayne Rooney almost broke the Chelsea offside trap high up the field in the eighth minute, but the Liverpudlian went a fraction too early and was flagged offside. Ashley Cole managed to step up just in time to prevent a one-on-one with Petr Cech.

Rooney was involved again minutes later as he received the ball with his back to goal in the left-hand side of the Chelsea penalty area. Marked by Ricardo Carvalho, the Englishman turned quickly onto his left foot and smashed a shot goal wards that went wide at the near post. 

United began to exert more influence on the game.

Antonio Valencia slid in to steal the ball from Cole in the Chelsea half and it skidded to Rooney. The Englishman then slipped Valencia into the channel and the Ecuadorian took on John Terry to enter the penalty area.

Chelsea's captain looked to be struggling and barged into Valencia, both players fell to the ground with Terry clutching a chunk of Valencia's shirt, but the referee signalled for a goal kick as the Red Devil glared at the assistant on the touchline.

Chelsea got a number of crosses into the penalty area as the game unfolded, but the quality of distribution was disappointing. This was epitomised by a Frank Lampard free-kick on the left in the 23rd minute that fizzed over the crowd in the box and went out for a goal kick.

The Blues did improve later in the half and forced a good save from Van der Sar on the 30 minute mark.

Anelka picked the ball up on the right flank, cut inside his marker, and quickly unleashed a stinging drive that was headed for the far corner. The Dutch 'keeper appeared to see the shot late but managed to meet the ball with an outstretched palm.

Manchester United seemed happy to accept this pressure and spring on the counter-attack. Rooney had two good opportunities on the break, the second of which saw the Englishman released into space on the left. Anderson had made a good run in the middle, but Rooney elected to take the shot on himself as he came inside and his effort was blocked. Valencia was standing by himself on the edge of the box.

Didier Drogba had an opportunity towards the end of the first half.

The Ivorian backed into Patrice Evra on the edge of the penalty area, turned the Frenchman, and ran into the penalty area to meet Deco's through ball. Drogba shot with his first touch and lashed his attempt high of wide of the United goal.

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