Chelsea FC Vs. Manchester United: Blues’ Late First Half Pressure Yields Nothing

Chelsea FC came forward with more purpose since going behind to Wayne Rooney’s stunning opener but did not find a way to put the ball in the back of the net before halftime. Manchester United were slightly fortunate to avoid conceding during the 40th minute goal-line scramble, and on first glance it looked like Chelsea may have even had a shout for handball on Nemanja Vidic during those frantic moments, but replays showed that the ball probably came off of the United captain’s chest.

The hosts have been fairly direct throughout, and that continued in the closing minutes of the first half. However, a lack of precision in their longer passes and crosses has resulted in frustration for the Blues’ fans, and Ashley Cole spurned a chance to cause United trouble from a free-kick just before the interval. Vidic had hacked Michael Essien down, receiving a booking for his troubles, just outside the penalty area, but the Chelsea left-back blazed his effort well over the bar (insert your shooting jokes here).

United have had slightly more of the ball than Chelsea, and their defensive right-sided combination of John O’Shea and Darren Fletcher has prevented the home side from creating many chances down that flank. Fernando Torres has been a largely peripheral figure, and Nicolas Anelka has been similarly disappointing. Chelsea seemed to get narrower as the half progressed until a few late surges down their left, but will have to stretch United across the pitch if they want to find an equalizer in the second half, and Vidic’s booking for the tackle on Essien could yet prove significant.