Rivalries get somewhat heated when there’s something extra on the line. Despite their geographical distance from one another, Chelsea’s meetings with Manchester United during Jose Mourinho’s time in the Premier League were tasty affairs, fuelled not only by the fact that the title was usually involved but also the obvious respect between the Portuguese manager and his opposite number. It resulted in an odd friction as mindgames and strops gave way to full-blooded football - just the way we like it.
With United heading to Stamford Bridge on Sunday, now’s as good a time as any to revisit the last five times they’ve done so in the league.
Chelsea 1-0 Man Utd, 08.11.2009
An early sparring session in the 2009/10 title race left the visitors looking forlornly up at Chelsea five points above them at the top of the table. It was a solid defensive performance from Carlo Ancelotti’s side in a match that was settled by a single goal. 15 minutes from time, Martin Atkinson awarded a free kick for a transgression by Darren Fletcher. Frank Lampard delivered the ball into the penalty area and Chelsea skipper John Terry headed in the goal that proved so crucial.
Of course, matches like this one rarely pass without controversy and Alex Ferguson was seething with Atkinson’s afternoon’s work. The Scotsman was adamant that Fletcher had not fouled Ashley Cole and that Didier Drogba had been offside as Terry scored. Chelsea went on to win the double with United settling for a Carling Cup win and second spot in the league table just one point behind the Blues.
Chelsea 1-1 Man Utd, 21.09.2008
Months after these two sides met in Moscow to battle it out for the Champions League trophy it was back to domestic business in the early season. Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech had been proved human in Euro 2008, and dropped another clanger at the Bridge to gift United an early lead. With less than 20 minutes gone, Dimitar Berbatov’s effort was fumbled by the Czech international and Ji-Sung Park took full advantage to put the away side in front. But Chelsea did take their unbeaten home run to 85 league games thanks to Salomon Kalou’s headed equaliser ten minutes from time and it was United who finished the game hanging on. This time United had the last laugh in May, by which time Luiz Felipe Scolari had left Chelsea in ignominious circumstances.
Chelsea 2-1 Man Utd, 26.04.2008
This game was etched into infamy thanks to a post-match brawl between United left back Patrice Evra and Sam Bethell, a member of the groundstaff at Stamford Bridge. The match itself was gripping thanks to almost unbearable tension and an excellent Chelsea performance that kept them in the hunt for the title. Avram Grant’s men landed the first blow through Michael Ballack, but a mistake by Ricardo Carvalho allowed Wayne Rooney to steal in and put the equaliser past Cech. The German midfielder fired the later winner home from the spot but United went on to snare the title and defeat Chelsea on penalties in the final of the Champions League.
Chelsea 0-0 Man Utd, 09.05.2007
The title decided, Chelsea and United met in West London and played out a goalless draw between weakened teams. Mourinho’s team welcomed the champions onto the field with one of those ridiculous guards of honour, but with all eyes on the forthcoming FA Cup final between the two sides it was a reserve line-up at best that took Chelsea’s plaudits. At Wembley, Didier Drogba hit an extra time winner to make Chelsea the first team to win an FA Cup final at the new Wembley.
Chelsea 3-0 Man Utd, 28.04.2006
Mourinho’s men headed into this clash needing a point to secure their second consecutive Premier League title under the Portuguese, but they went three better. William Gallas’ header gave the Blues the lead inside the first ten minutes, and the title was sewn up after an hour when Joe Cole found the net in front of a (mostly) jubilant crowd. Ricardo Carvalho made sure with 17 minutes to go and the home side lifted the trophy after the final whistle. But this game is also memorable for the broken metatarsal sustained by Rooney ahead of the World Cup in Germany, and for the hysterical media coverage in the intervening weeks.
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Tags: Chelsea, Manchester United