Manchester United took a huge advantage in the first leg of the Champions League quarter final match against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. Wayne Rooney’s goal was enough to give the Reds a 1-0 win and a crucial away win, which puts United in a strong position to qualify for the semi final stage against Inter Milan or more than likely German side Schalke 04 who lead Milan 5-2 following their first quarter final game.
Rooney scored in the 24th minute following a sublime move involving Michael Carrick and Reds veteran Ryan Giggs, which will leave the Blues with the daunting task of securing a victory at Old Trafford in order to pursue their dream of the elusive Champions League Trophy.
Chelsea chose a strike partnership of Didier Drogba and £50million pound striker Fernando Torres, who is yet to score a goal in a Chelsea shirt. Drogba hit the United post moments before half time and a scuffed shot from Frank Lampard was cleared off the line as the Blues searched in vein for an equalising goal.
Chelsea were frustrated again late in the second half when they had two penalty claims turned down, firstly Ramires was sent clattering to the ground with a crude challenge from Patrice Evra, which would have seen him clear on goal and then moments later Torres claimed to have been fouled, but only received a yellow card for his efforts as the referee adjudged him to have dived.
United were given a huge boost before the game with the return of Rio Ferdinand, who made his first appearance for two months, the Reds were resilient from the outset, strong and well organised in defence while continually looking to catch Chelsea on the counter attack. Edwin van der Sar made fine saves from a Drogba shot in the first half and from a Torres header in the final minutes, showing an agility and alertness that belied his age, in what is proclaimed to be his final season at United.
Chelsea made the brighter start to the game, although it was United who scored the all important goal, a pin point, long range pass from found Ryan Giggs who skipped past Bosingwa and neatly pulled the ball for an unmarked Rooney to fire a low shot past Cech in the Chelsea goal and in off the post, the celebrations were somewhat muted compared with his foul mouthed accolade at West Ham, which now sees Rooney face a two match domestic ban.
The Blues huffed and puffed during the second half, but rarely threatened to score and at times they looked lacklustre in attack, the penalty decision for the foul on Ramires could be prove to be crucial in this tie, as replays appeared to show he was clearly fouled, but even the extra assistant behind the goal, employed for Champions League games, who probably had the best view of anyone in the ground, stood motionless, as he could obviously see no wrong in the challenge.
Victory at Old Trafford will be a huge task for Chelsea, but victory is not a formality for Manchester United either, the Blues probably have one of the best records of any team at Old Trafford in recent years, including a crucial 2-1 victory last season which ultimately saw Chelsea go onto win the Premier League.
En la tienda online de Camisetas de fútbol tenemos todas las camisetas de tus equipos y selecciones favoritas en tallas para adulto y niño.