Sheff Utd 0 Chelsea 2

Guest · Posted: Sat Oct 28, 2006 7:41 pm Post subject: Sheff Utd 0 Chelsea 2

October 28, 2006

HILARIO came to Chelsea's rescue before Frank Lampard sealed a tough win for the champions.

The Blues' third-choice keeper was preferred to Carlo Cudicini who was on the bench.

And he kept out Danny Webber's 17th-minute penalty before Lampard took over.

Lampard's long-range 43rd-minute free-kick caught out Blades keeper Paddy Kenny to give the visitors the lead.

Then he crossed for Michael Ballack to head home number two five minutes after the break.

But the scoreline did no justice to the performance of the Blades.

Defender Claude Davis was outstanding and the Yorkshire side enjoyed plenty of first half possession.

Had Webber not let the pressure of the home crowd get to him before his weak spot-kick it might have been a different afternoon.

Didier Drogba and Davis had tangled in the box and referee Martin Atkinson pointed to the spot, only for Webber to miss.

It looked likely the Blades would pay for blowing their chance but they responded in positive fashion.

Quinn shot just over the bar and Rob Hulse was edged out by John Terry chasing a Webber cross.

Chelsea's best early shout had come from a penalty appeal of their own, when Paulo Ferreira cut into the box and fell theatrically.

Davis blocked an Arjen Robben cross and Ballack had a half-chance before Lampard began to make his match-winning contribution.

The England midfielder had a point-blank header brilliantly saved by Kenny.

But one minute later his long-range free-kick bounced horribly over Kenny into the net.

Jose Mourinho's men then grabbed the crucial second in the 50th minute.

Lampard found space on the left and crossed for Ballack to head home.

It was harsh on Neil Warnock's men but Lampard could have increased the leadbut he fired from a Bridge cross.

Kenny made a brave save at the feet of Robben in the 54th minute as Chelsea began to show their quality.

Ballack came close to grabbing his second with a 65th minute snap-shot which flashed inches over.

United continued to have their moments, mostly through the impressive Quinn on the left, and his fine 72nd minute cross fell to Hulse who headed over in front of goal.

Despite the Blues' win, Mourinho was unhappy with the Blades' penalty.

He said: "The decision for me was completely wrong.

"The referee has a wrong decision but after that the performance it is good to think there was one mistake, that's it.

"It was a big decision against Chelsea at the beginning of the game.

"If Hilario doesn't save it maybe we are in trouble.

"It was not easy for us but the team fought well. We deserved the victory and could have scored more goals."

Warnock also griped about Martin Atkinson's decision-making especially the free-kick which led to Lampard's opener.

"Goals change games and it really would have been nice for once to put a penalty away and put a bit of pressure on them, take the lead and see how they reacted.

"Unfortunately it was not to be and a goalkeeping error resulted in the first goal.

"I don't understand the advantage rule. It seems to be one rule for one and one for the other.