Manchester United 2 Chelsea 0 - Under Avram Grant Guidance
MATCH REPORT: MANCHESTER UNITED 2 CHELSEA 0
Chelsea went down to a strong Manchester United team at Old Trafford this afternoon, leaving the side three league games without a win.
The Blues battled away but were always on the back foot against a United team that had the fortune of key decisions going their way, notably the choice by Mike Dean to send John Mikel Obi off after half an hour, and then award United a penalty in the closing stages.
The game started as it would go on, with the home team on top while Chelsea struggled, missing key players, to come to terms with their opponents, who provided a constant threat.
Within two minutes Petr Cech had shown the very best of himself, stretching and full length, and some, to divert Wayne Rooney's goalbound curling effort around the post, after Ben-Haim had slipped to allow the England man an opening.
Seconds later it was Michael Carrick's chance to make sure the goalkeeper was alert, flicking Rooney's cross on, but in typical fashion Cech was able to hold on comfortably.
It took eight minutes for Chelsea to register our first meaningful effort of Avram Grant's tenure, as Andriy Shevchenko turned inside on to his right foot, but fired narrowly wide of Edwin Van Der Sar's net.
There was then a prolonged period of United pressure, as Rooney buzzed around menacingly and Ronaldo showed glimpses of the form that earned him two player of the year awards last season.
It was another United forward who tested Cech next though, as Tevez fizzed a show low after a quickly taken free kick. The goalkeeper did well to hold it.
Cech would have had little chance with the next shot though. After a poor clearance from Michael Essien, Rooney crossed to Giggs, in space at the far post, but the United captain could only volley over from a tight angle.
Shortly after, with just over half an hour played, disaster struck as Mikel and Evra contended a 50-50, with the Nigerian cleanly winning the ball.
Referee Mike Dean saw something altogether different, and without hesitation, produced a red card for Mikel, who was visibly both puzzled and distraught. There had been little appeal from United's players.
With a man advantage, the home side were able to pile more pressure on to a so far sturdy Blues backline, and from Giggs' free kick, Vidic headed towards goal. United supporters rose to their feet as they anticipated a second goal in as many Premier League games for the Serbian, but Cech was more than equal to it, and falling to his left, held on to the ball.
United's better share of the play, and fortune, eventually paid off in the third minute of first half injury time. The fourth official had only indicated there would be two, but when Giggs' corner eventually came back to him, he deftly crossed with the outside of his left foot, and Tevez was on hand to convert a diving header at Cech's near post.
It was the worst possible timing, and so it was that the quiet Old Trafford crowd was lifted to create a cacophonous noise as the players departed down the tunnel for the break.
The second half began in a similar fashion, with United having more of the ball, and Chelsea trying to win it back, often looking bereft of ideas, particularly going forward.
Giggs had a second opportunity, only slightly different from his earlier one, but the result was the same as he blasted over Cech's bar when he had both the time and space to pick his spot.
To freshen things up, Grant replaced Shevchenko with Kalou, and then Malouda with Wright-Phillips as we operated a flat 4-4-1, but there still appeared little sign of a breakthrough.
After 74 minutes Ashley Cole reached the byline for the first time, pulling back for Wright-Phillips to tee up for Essien, but the Ghanaian's half volley was a yard over. It did though show we weren't buried yet, and Grant subsequently gave his last throw of the dice, bringing on Pizarro for Joe Cole, who had just been booked for a lunge on Ronaldo.
Frustrations had started to show, and Terry was the second Blue to see yellow, diving in on Rooney 30 yards out.
Ronaldo, by now in full flow, struck a powerful shot that bounced wickedly in front of Cech. The Czech number one did well to hold on.
For the last ten minutes the tide had begun to turn, as Chelsea started to turn hard work into territorial gain, but that slice of luck and composure for the final ball was elusive.
To add salt to the wound, Uniteds were awarded a penalty two minutes from time when Saha tumbled under a challenge from Ben-Haim. Again, without hesitation Dean pointed to the spot, despite replays showing minimal contact.
The Frenchman tucked away the penalty, straight down the middle as Cech dived to his left.
A spirited Blues display, in the hardest of circumstances, had produced no luck and no points, leaving new manager Grant plenty to think about ahead of Wednesday's trip to Hull.
To see highlights of the game, you can visit Chelsea TV Online, or for the full 90 minutes, you can tune in to Chelsea TV, both from midnight tonight.
Man United (4-4-2) Van Der Sar; Brown, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra; Ronaldo, Carrick, Scholes, Giggs (c); Rooney; Tevez (Saha 78).
Goals Tevez 45+2, Saha (pen) 88
Booked Rooney, Brown
Chelsea (4-3-3): Cech; Ferreira, Ben-Haim, Terry (c), A Cole; Essien, Makelele, Essien, Mikel; J Cole (Pizarro 75), Shevchenko (Kalou 59), Malouda (Wright-Phillips 68).
Goals
Booked J Cole, Terry
Sent Off Mikel
REACTION: REF'S THREE ERRORS COST USThe Blues battled away but were always on the back foot against a United team that had the fortune of key decisions going their way, notably the choice by Mike Dean to send John Mikel Obi off after half an hour, and then award United a penalty in the closing stages.
The game started as it would go on, with the home team on top while Chelsea struggled, missing key players, to come to terms with their opponents, who provided a constant threat.
Within two minutes Petr Cech had shown the very best of himself, stretching and full length, and some, to divert Wayne Rooney's goalbound curling effort around the post, after Ben-Haim had slipped to allow the England man an opening.
Seconds later it was Michael Carrick's chance to make sure the goalkeeper was alert, flicking Rooney's cross on, but in typical fashion Cech was able to hold on comfortably.
It took eight minutes for Chelsea to register our first meaningful effort of Avram Grant's tenure, as Andriy Shevchenko turned inside on to his right foot, but fired narrowly wide of Edwin Van Der Sar's net.
There was then a prolonged period of United pressure, as Rooney buzzed around menacingly and Ronaldo showed glimpses of the form that earned him two player of the year awards last season.
It was another United forward who tested Cech next though, as Tevez fizzed a show low after a quickly taken free kick. The goalkeeper did well to hold it.
Cech would have had little chance with the next shot though. After a poor clearance from Michael Essien, Rooney crossed to Giggs, in space at the far post, but the United captain could only volley over from a tight angle.
Shortly after, with just over half an hour played, disaster struck as Mikel and Evra contended a 50-50, with the Nigerian cleanly winning the ball.
Referee Mike Dean saw something altogether different, and without hesitation, produced a red card for Mikel, who was visibly both puzzled and distraught. There had been little appeal from United's players.
With a man advantage, the home side were able to pile more pressure on to a so far sturdy Blues backline, and from Giggs' free kick, Vidic headed towards goal. United supporters rose to their feet as they anticipated a second goal in as many Premier League games for the Serbian, but Cech was more than equal to it, and falling to his left, held on to the ball.
United's better share of the play, and fortune, eventually paid off in the third minute of first half injury time. The fourth official had only indicated there would be two, but when Giggs' corner eventually came back to him, he deftly crossed with the outside of his left foot, and Tevez was on hand to convert a diving header at Cech's near post.
It was the worst possible timing, and so it was that the quiet Old Trafford crowd was lifted to create a cacophonous noise as the players departed down the tunnel for the break.
The second half began in a similar fashion, with United having more of the ball, and Chelsea trying to win it back, often looking bereft of ideas, particularly going forward.
Giggs had a second opportunity, only slightly different from his earlier one, but the result was the same as he blasted over Cech's bar when he had both the time and space to pick his spot.
To freshen things up, Grant replaced Shevchenko with Kalou, and then Malouda with Wright-Phillips as we operated a flat 4-4-1, but there still appeared little sign of a breakthrough.
After 74 minutes Ashley Cole reached the byline for the first time, pulling back for Wright-Phillips to tee up for Essien, but the Ghanaian's half volley was a yard over. It did though show we weren't buried yet, and Grant subsequently gave his last throw of the dice, bringing on Pizarro for Joe Cole, who had just been booked for a lunge on Ronaldo.
Frustrations had started to show, and Terry was the second Blue to see yellow, diving in on Rooney 30 yards out.
Ronaldo, by now in full flow, struck a powerful shot that bounced wickedly in front of Cech. The Czech number one did well to hold on.
For the last ten minutes the tide had begun to turn, as Chelsea started to turn hard work into territorial gain, but that slice of luck and composure for the final ball was elusive.
To add salt to the wound, Uniteds were awarded a penalty two minutes from time when Saha tumbled under a challenge from Ben-Haim. Again, without hesitation Dean pointed to the spot, despite replays showing minimal contact.
The Frenchman tucked away the penalty, straight down the middle as Cech dived to his left.
A spirited Blues display, in the hardest of circumstances, had produced no luck and no points, leaving new manager Grant plenty to think about ahead of Wednesday's trip to Hull.
To see highlights of the game, you can visit Chelsea TV Online, or for the full 90 minutes, you can tune in to Chelsea TV, both from midnight tonight.
Man United (4-4-2) Van Der Sar; Brown, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra; Ronaldo, Carrick, Scholes, Giggs (c); Rooney; Tevez (Saha 78).
Goals Tevez 45+2, Saha (pen) 88
Booked Rooney, Brown
Chelsea (4-3-3): Cech; Ferreira, Ben-Haim, Terry (c), A Cole; Essien, Makelele, Essien, Mikel; J Cole (Pizarro 75), Shevchenko (Kalou 59), Malouda (Wright-Phillips 68).
Goals
Booked J Cole, Terry
Sent Off Mikel
Avram Grant has expressed his disappointment with the defeat at Old Trafford, but is proud of his players' efforts and believes referee Mike Dean made some costly mistakes.
Grant was speaking after he had seen midfielder John Obi Mikel dismissed with a straight red card, United score a goal in the third minute of injury time at the end of the first half, when only two had been signalled, and the home team then awarded a penalty when Louis Saha went down easily when challenged by Louis Saha.
'The referee tried his best,' Grant said. 'He made three mistakes only, the red card, the goal after time, the penalty.
'Alex Ferguson can be very happy from the referee today. He can be more than happy that Rooney wasn't sent off with a second yellow card, from the red card, the goal after additional time, the second goal,' he added.
Grant, who has been in charge just three days, was satisfied with the team's efforts, and believes they stuck well to the game plan, until Mikel's dismissal upset the game's balance.
'The decisions were strange because they were all in the same game, one two, three. For me it's a little bit strange but I prefer to look at the future, and not think why or how.
'I think except the first five minutes we played well in this game. It was a good game, Man United was not better than us. Even when we played ten against eleven until they scored the goal it was an okay game.
'For us it was a game we wanted to do, and after what's happened this week, after the three games we didn't win, the most important thing was to see the spirit of the players and now we can move forward from here.'
The club has since announced that we will be issuing an appeal to the Premier League over Mikel's red card. The decision will be made prior to Wednesday's game at Hull.
We are now five points behind the champions, but this is not something that fazes the new man at the helm, who points to last season as an indicator that gaps can be cut.
'I remember when last year, the difference between Man U and Chelsea was 12 points, then nine and everybody said Chelsea would be champions so five points is not a problem. We were fifth place before this game, we need to win games and then to think about things. We can have a good season,' insisted Grant.
He also played down any significance in his substitution of Andriy Shevchenko, saying that: 'I know if Shevchenko plays it's because someone told me, if he doesn't play you say I want to show I'm in charge. Shevchenko and any other, if they are good, will play, if they are not good they will do their best.
'I am very proud of the players in the last three days. It's not easy for them, also it's not easy for me. We need to adapt very quickly, they behaved like professionals, with good spirit.'
Despite the frustration at the afternoon's events, Grant did manage to find some time for humour, speaking with reference to Sir Alex Ferguson's statement that he will miss his biannual bottle of wine with José Mourinho.
'I told Alex before the game I want to bring him good wine but I didn't have time, so next time I promise to bring him some,' he joked.
He also had kind words for the supporters, and their relationship with his predecessor.
'I like the attachment of supporters for José who was here before me. I remember supporters cried when Ranieri left, it just shows we have very good supporters. Me, I'm only here three days, I don't think they have songs for me, maybe in one or two years.'
MANCHESTER, England (AFP) — Avram Grant, Chelsea's new manager, insists he is confident he will prove a successful replacement for Jose Mourinho despite a debut defeat against Manchester United.
Two controversial goals - from Carlos Tevez and a Louis Saha penalty - coupled with the first half dismissal of John Obi Mikel saw Grant's first game end in misery at Old Trafford on Sunday.
But Grant shrugged off that catalogue of disasters and declared himself happy with his players' efforts, claiming it was evidence there is a united dressing room over his appointment.
"Except for the first five minutes, we played well in this game," said the Israeli. "I am very proud of how the players have behaved the last three days. It has not been ideal for them or for me. We have had to adapt very quickly but they behaved professionally and gave me very good support."
Grant also clearly has a task ahead of him to win over Chelsea supporters who sang Mourinho's name and unfurled a banner bearing his name, although Grant insisted: "It was very easy for me today.
"I like the attachment of the supporters with the coach, for Jose who was before me. He did good things here. They remember that and it shows our supporters are very good supporters. For me, I have only been here three days so they have no songs for me yet. Maybe after two years they will!"
Despite the uncertainty surrounding Grant's future, Chelsea have confirmed they have no concerns that he will be prevented from taking the post on a long-term basis because he does not own the necessary coaching qualifications, the UEFA Pro Licence.
Under Premier League rules, Grant has a 12-week grace period and the club are understood to have applied for special dispensation because of Grant's experience and seniority and the fact that Israel, where he has spent most of his coaching career, does not have the equivalent licence.
Grant said: "I don't see any problem. It is a process, an arrangement which we are going into now."
Referee Mike Dean showed Obi Mikel a harsh red card in the 31st minute for a lunge on Patrice Evra then played 30 seconds over the additional two minutes shown at the end of the first half to allow Tevez's opening goal.
Then, with two minutes left in the contest, he awarded Saha a spot kick even though TV replays showed no contact from Chelsea defender Tal Ben-Haim.
"The referee tried his best but he made three mistakes," said Grant. "One was a red card, one was a goal after time and one was the penalty. Besides that, he was good.
"Alex Ferguson can be very happy with the referee, he can be more than happy. Those three decisions were strange. If it was one, okay, but one, two, three? For me, it's a little bit strange but now I prefer to look to the future."
Chelsea also confirmed that they have lodged an appeal over Obi Mikel's dismissal although Ferguson was more concerned with the red card that Dean did not show, expressing his outrage with a cynical foul by Joe Cole on Cristiano Ronaldo that was only punished with a yellow card.
"When you see Joe Cole's tackle on Ronaldo, that should have been a straight red," said Ferguson. "It's the kind of tackle that puts players out of the game, a kick from behind right on his Achilles, which is the sort of thing he's getting time and time again.
"He got a yellow card simply because he had sent a player off in the first half. I think it was a balancing out by the referee.
"I thought we should have had a clear penalty kick in the first half but then the game changed with the sending off.
"That was harsh and the second penalty kick seemed a bit harsh but in games like this, referees make quick decisions and can get it wrong."
Chelsea Football Club have lodged an appeal with the Football Association over the sending off of John Obi Mikel on Sunday.
In a fiery encounter at Old Trafford Manchester United ran out 2-0 winners over Chelsea on Sunday.
The complexion of the game changed on the half hour mark, with the scores level, Mikel was given his marching orders after a challenge on Patrice Evra.
TV replays suggested the ruling was harsh, with the midfielder neither going in with two feet or with his foot above the ball. Mikel did, however, show studs.
Referee Mike Dean felt the challenge was worthy of a red, Chelsea boss Avram Grant certainly didn’t, and even United manager Alex Ferguson felt the decision was harsh.
The Scot felt that Joe Cole’s x-rated second-half challenge on Cristiano Ronaldo was far more worthy of the maximum punishment, but the England international escaped with a yellow.
At the post-match news conference a Chelsea spokesperson confirmed that the club will lodge an appeal with the FA over the Mikel sending off.
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