Manchester United beat Chelsea 3-1 at Old Trafford Sunday in an English Premier League top of the table clash which mixed superb attacking play with comical misses by star strikers Fernando Torres and Wayne Rooney. Rooney slipped and ended on his backside as he ran up to convert a penalty which would have given United a 4-1 lead and his second goal of the match, but his blunder was eclipsed a few moments later by Torres.
The Spain World Cup star had made up for wasting a first half chance by pulling Chelsea back into the game with a superb piece of skill to beat David De Gea in the United goal. After Rooney's penalty miss and with his team still trailing 3-1, Torres rounded De Gea and with an open goal at his mercy somehow contrived to send his left-foot shot wide. Torres, who had shown more than enough to suggest he is returning to his best form, was left with his head in his hands as his side's last chance of salvaging a point had disappeared.
The misses still continued with Rooney setting up substitute Dimitar Berbatov for another cast-iron opportunity but the Bulgarian's weak effort was cleared off the line by Ashley Cole. It has been the best start to a season for United since 1985 and they started with a flourish as Chris Smalling headed home Ashley Young's free kick.
Torres screwed a right foot shot wide to spurn an immediate chance to draw Chelsea level before Portugal star Nani put the home side 2-0 ahead with a rasping strike which left Petr Cech with no chance. Chelsea looked dangerous going forward, but defensive sloppiness after a charge forward by United defender Phil Jones left Rooney with the simplest of tap-ins to make it 3-0 just before halftime. United's win was marred by an injury to striker Javier Hernandez, caught by a challenge from Cole as he tried to follow up on a Rooney shot that hit the post in the second half.
Manager Alex Ferguson was furious with the challenge which may sideline the Mexican for several weeks.
"For me it's a shocking tackle. The referee has booked him (Cole) and if he's booked him I don't know why it wasn't a penalty, " he told Sky Sports. But the victory for Ferguson's men saw them pull two points clear of local rivals Manchester City, who were held 2-2 at Fulham earlier Sunday after leading 2-0. Sergio Aguero continued his remarkable introduction to the EPL with a double strike at Craven Cottage, but City relaxed and Bobby Zamora and Danny Murphy salvaged a point for the home side.
Sunday's other high-profile clash saw Tottenham Hotspur continue their recovery from a poor start to the season with a 4-0 win over Liverpool at White Hart Lane. Luka Modric put Tottenham ahead with a superb strike and Liverpool were further handicapped by having Charlie Adam and Martin Skrtel sent off in either half. Tottenham capitalized against nine men as Jermain Defoe and the excellent Emmanuel Adebayor with a late double rubbed salt into the wound.
The other match Sunday saw Sunderland move off the bottom with a 4-0 thumping of Stoke City.
Poleni sana ndugu zangu wa Blue, there's always a next time Jamani pole zangu Kwa Bwana Kheri. I hope leo statutes zinasomeka huko . On the other hand Kuna watu siku ya leo kwao imekua nzuriii sana babaa Eugene....