A tame surrender by Man Utd. Patrice Evra was just awful. I still can't believe he was given the spot after bumbling against Bayern about a week ago. Chelsea looked awfully confident. They were deserving winners of the Community Shield trophy.
Before the PKs, the match ended, 2-2 with Nani's spectacular goal giving Man Utd a first half lead. But Chelsea came back in the second half through Ricardo Carvalho's equalizer. In the 71st minute Frank Lampard put the Blues ahead with a controversial goal as Evra lay injured 70 yards away having collided with Ballack. Referee Chris Foy waved on play. Just when it appeared Chelsea would get the win, Wayne Rooney scored a last minute equalizer. Later, Sir Alex complained about Foy's decision.
I think Paul Wilson has a touch of the sun when he predicts Chelsea will fall out of the top four ceding to City.
I peg the Blues to win. They are the most physical of the big four and finished very strongly last season. Ancelotti has been fortunate to retain most of the squad despite his boss wiggling his hips furiously at Silvio Berlusconi in giving up Essien for Pirlo (probably the lamest rumour), whereas the other three clubs have sold/ lost key players. So misunderestimate (as Dubya would say) Chelsea at your peril.
KJB, it may have very well be different because Foster flubbed Lampard's shot but at the other end Cech should have been able to stop Nani. So mistakes were made by both teams including Chelsea giving up the Rooney equalizer. What came through in the end was the physical domination and confidence of the Blues. It will come in useful, as you said, in the closing stages of the season.
I agree on the Chelsea front. They look good and have real depth in squad, which I think will prove pivotal come the closing stages of the season.
However, I have to wonder what the result would have been with Van Der Sar and Vidic fit.