The most frustrating part of yesterday’s game was not overpriced tickets, nor was it the shocking view in the lower tier, it was the sheer predictability and inevitability of the result.
It took Chelsea all of three minutes to take the lead against the Blades, in a game where United didn’t even show their ‘battling qualities’, let alone any quality on the ball.
Further goals from Kalou and Ballack completed the scoring as the current champions once again cruised to a victory against Neil Warnock’s side.
After Hulse up front on his own failed so spectacularly at Anfield, Warnock decided to once again play the same tactics? (Although Kazim-Richards at least provided Hulse some support from midfield this time).
After a quiet first two minutes Chelsea took the lead with their very first attack on three minutes.
Kazim-Richards lost the ball in midfield, allowing Carvalho to burst forward and play a long pass to SHEVCHENKO who, in acres of space, half-volleyed the ball past Kenny and into the top corner.
The home sides next chance saw Wright-Phillips burst into the box on 15 minutes only to tamely poke the ball well wide.
However, Chelsea made it 2-0 on their very next attack. Wright-Phillips played a low ball across the box that was flicked on by Shevchenko, before being tapped in by KALOU from only a yard out.
United, finding themselves 2-0 down in less than 20 minutes, finally burst into life. A powerful run by Kazim-Richards saw his swerving shot brilliantly pushed away by Cech on 20 minutes.
As United pushed forward again, disaster struck. A cross from Gillespie saw Hulse collide with Cech before Quinn saw his effort blocked right in front of goal.
Worse was to follow, as Hulse failed to get up from the collision and had to be stretchered off. TV replays suggested that the Blades leading scoring had broken his leg in the collision and will miss the rest of the season and possibly the start of next.
Chelsea almost went 3-0 up on the half hour mark but Shevchenko was denied a second by Armstrong clearing off the line.
The Blades thought they had pulled a goal back minutes later, but it was ruled out for offside. A Gillespie corner was headed goalwards by Morgan but the ball hit Kazim-Richards in an offside position before Davis stroked the ball into the empty net.
Ballack, on as a half-time sub, went close after the break with a long-range shot before he made it 3-0 with his head on 57 minutes.
A freekick was wrongly awarded to Chelsea when Robben was fairly tackled by Gillespie and from Wright-Phillips delivery the un-marked BALLACK headed past Kenny.
United may have been hard-done by with the free kick but the defending from the set-piece was laughable and would be an insult to young footballers everywhere to even label it ‘schoolboy defending’!
The remainder of the game was a mere formality and the only chances of any note saw Robben fire just wide for Chelsea, while Jagielka shot over for the Blades.
With Man City picking up a vital three points against Middlesbrough, United saw themselves slip back down to fourth from bottom to complete a fairly miserable day.
Player Ratings
Kenny
5/10
Don’t think he made a single save all day and should have come out to collect Chelsea’s third goal.
Armstrong
4/10
Cleared off the line well but was given a real run around by Wright-Phillips.
Geary
4/10
Couldn’t control Robben and played some poor balls forward.
Davis
5.5/10
Most of United’s defensive problems came down the wing not in the middle, but played Ballack onside for third goal.
Morgan
5.5/10
Similar to Davis.
Jagielka
4/10
Had very little impact on the game and MUST go back to centre-back!
Montgomery
6.5/10
Poor first half, great second. Worked hard and actually kept the ball on the pitch!
Kazim-Richards
7/10
One of the few players that looked up for the game and the only real threat in front of goal
Alan Quinn
2/10
Can’t understand why Warncok played him? Hardly touched the ball and lost it the few times he did.
Gillespie
5/10
Put some decent balls in the box in second half but was poor otherwise.
Hulse
6/10
Had little support up front and his suspected broken leg is a massive blow for both him and the club!
Nade
4/10
Replaced Hulse but had little to no impact.
Tonge
6/10
Touched the ball more times in last 10 minutes than Quinn did all game. SHOULD have started!