SM
Man City vs. Brighton: 12 hrs 37 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews
MU
Premier League
Sep 18, 2011 at 4pm UK
 
CL

3-1

Smalling (8'), Nani (37'), Rooney (45')
FT(HT: 3-0)
Torres (46')

On This Day: Manchester United beat Chelsea 3-1

:Headline: On This Day: Manchester United beat Chelsea 3-1: ID:177489: from db_amp
Sports Mole takes a look back at Manchester United's 3-1 win over Chelsea in the 2011-12 Premier League season.

A lot has changed in the Premier League in the last three years. Chelsea currently lead the top flight with a 100% record from their first four outings, while Manchester United spent over £150m in the transfer window before being able to clinch their first win of the current campaign.

On this day in 2011, the newly-appointed Andre Villas-Boas took his Chelsea side to Old Trafford to face the defending champions in the penultimate season of Sir Alex Ferguson's reign.

The Blues had made a strong start to life under the Portuguese manager, winning three of their first four matches after being held to a goalless draw by Stoke City on the opening day of the season, while United had picked up all 12 points from their first four matches, which included an 8-2 win over Arsenal.

It took the home side barely seven minutes to break the deadlock, with Chris Smalling the unlikely goalscorer heading in from close range following an Ashley Young free kick.

Petr Cech and David de Gea both had to make a string of saves as both teams pushed for the second goal, but it was Ferguson's side who added to their lead shortly after the half-hour mark when Nani lashed the ball into the top corner.

Villas-Boas's side were punished further before the break as Nani was involved again, this time setting up Wayne Rooney for a tap-in from close range.

It looked like the visitors had a chance to turn things around early in the second half as Fernando Torres, who was then the most expensive player in Britain, scored just moments after the kickoff, making amends for several misses in the first half.

The home side could have put the win beyond doubt just 10 minutes later though as Nani was fouled by Jose Bosingwa, giving Rooney the chance to add his second of the night from the penalty spot, but the England international slipped on his run-up, resulting in the spot kick being missed.

Torres had the opportunity to make the final few minutes uncomfortable for United when he rounded De Gea, leaving himself with an empty goal to shoot at, but the Spaniard somehow managed to force it wide.

With Manchester City slipping up in a 2-2 draw with Fulham on the same day, the result allowed United to open up a two-point gap over their neighbours at the top of the table.

However, Ferguson's side were unable to hold off their rivals in the final moments of the season, as City's last-day victory over Queens Park Rangers ensured that the Premier League trophy headed to the blue half of Manchester for the first time, just six days before Chelsea won the Champions League final.

amp_article__177489 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2014-09-18 09:09:08:
html db last update - 2014-09-18 09:09:08 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html
Share this article now:
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool29217169274270
2Arsenal281510352242855
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest28156745331251
4Chelsea28147753361749
5Manchester CityMan City28145953381547
6Newcastle UnitedNewcastle2814594738947
7Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton28121064640646
8Aston Villa2912984145-445
9Bournemouth28128847341344
10Fulham2811984138342
11Crystal Palace2810993633339
12Brentford28115124844438
13Tottenham HotspurSpurs281041455411434
14Manchester UnitedMan Utd2897123440-634
15Everton2871293135-433
16West Ham UnitedWest Ham2896133248-1633
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves2865173857-1923
18Ipswich TownIpswich2838172658-3217
19Leicester CityLeicester2845192562-3717
20Southampton2823232068-489
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .