After Wayne Rooney’s blast after half an hour, it looked like it was going to be a long day at the office for Chelsea. They got back into the match with a great goal from David Luiz, and now, ten minutes from time, they have come back to take the lead...with a little help from Martin Atkinson. The referee granted Chelsea a penalty, which was converted by Frank Lampard, and Manchester United are now being forced to chase the game, 2-1 down.
Chelsea FC Vs. Manchester United: Frank Lampard Penalty Puts Blues Ahead
The penalty came on a foul committed by Chris Smalling, playing due to injuries to Rio Ferdinand and Jonny Evans. Substitute Yuri Zhirkov drew it, cutting into the box and tripping over Smalling’s leg. The decision was a harsh one on Smalling and United, but there definitely was contact and Smalling shouldn’t have put himself in a position to force Atkinson into a difficult decision. It was a questionable call, but not an inherently wrong one. Frank Lampard stepped up to take the penalty and he blasted it straight down the center. Even if Edwin van der Sar did not dive to one side and put his hands exactly where the ball was going to be, he would have had an extremely difficult time stopping it.
Chelsea have scored a goal that will give themselves three points if the result stands, but it’s just as much a goal for Manchester City and Arsenal as it is for the Blues.
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