United stretch Premier League lead as Chelsea falter
20th March, 2008
Manchester United now sit three points clear at the top of the Premier League after an easy 2-0 win over Bolton Wanderers last night. Chelsea lost ground on the leaders after an amazing 4-4 draw with Spurs.
Ronaldo bagged both goals for United, the first being an instinctive shot that found its way through a crowded box past the deputising keeper Al Habsi on nine minutes. The second was a trademark free kick which gave the keeper no chance to make it 2-0 after just 19 minutes. Most would have expected Bolton to implode and let United get some shooting practise afterwards but the relegation threatened side did battle and had plenty of scoring chances throughout the game.
Chelsea’s match against Spurs was an intense game full of incident. It took only three minutes for Drogba to make a breakthrough as he headed home. Woodgate hit back quickly with another headed goal against Chelsea on 12 minutes, this time finishing smartly. Essien then scored a controversial goal after 21 minutes to restore the lead for the visitors. Just before half time Ashley Cole was lucky not to be sent off after flooring Alan Hutton with a horrible tackle.
It didn’t take long after the break for Joe Cole to score which looked like sealing the points at 3-1 at 52 minutes. However Spurs kept on battling and a Berbabtov header on 61 minutes put them one goal behind. Some amazing saves from Cudicini kept the scores the same before Essien was denied by the post. Huddlestone then grabbed the equaliser with a fizzing left foot drive past the Chelsea keeper. Spurs continued to attack but it was Chelsea who got the next goal, with Cole claiming his second on 80 minutes. That looked like being the last goal but a wonder shot from Keane on 88 minutes put the match level at 4-4. Cudicini late on produced a great save to deny Berbabtov the winning goal and save a point.
By Chris M
