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Chelsea 1-0 Manchester United
Match Reports, 18:16, November 8, 2009 ,
John Terry's second half goal was enough to hand Chelsea a vital 1-0 win against Manchester United at Stamford Bridge.
It was a game of few chances between the two expected title rivals and the Blues skipper's goal means the Londoners have stretched their lead at the top of the table to five points.
United were unhappy with the goal and will feel they did enough to have earned a share of the spoils. The result leaves Sir Alex Ferguson's men in third place, level on 22 points with second-placed Arsenal.
A busy opening to the game saw Branislav Ivanovic fire in a low shot from a tight angle on four minutes but United keeper Edwin van der Sar get down well to save at his near post.
Both sides continued to enjoy spells of possession, but Michael Carrick's shot from distance which was easily held by Chelsea keeper Petr Cech on 31 minutes in United's only effort on target in the first 45 minutes.
A minute later Nicolas Anelka's curling effort from the right side of the United area which Van der Sar parried away was the closest Chelsea came to finding the net in the opening half.
Chances were again at a premium in the second half with Frank Lampard having a low shot saved from the edge of the area on 61 minutes.
Wayne Rooney went close at the other end on 67 minutes when Luis Antonio Valencia teed him up, but the forward's low drive went just past the far post.
A minute later Rooney curled an effort towards the top corner of the goal, but Cech did well to push it around the post for a corner.
The game's only goal came on 76 minutes when Darren Fletcher was harshly adjudged to have brought down Ashley Cole wide out on the left side of the pitch. Lampard whipped in the free kick and Terry diverted it into the net off his shoulder, while it might have taken a touch off Anelka's head on its way past Van der Sar.
United's players felt the goal should not have been given as Didier Drogba looked to have fouled Wes Brown in the middle of the goalmouth. However their protests were waved away and the Blues held on for the win.