Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson's attempt to rest strikers Andy Cole and
Dwight Yorke backfired against Chelsea in the FA Cup quarter-final as he
succeeded only in adding to his side's fixture pile-up.
Even though Chelsea were reduced to 10 men for the entire second-half,
United's profligacy in front of goal and a string of fine saves ensured that a
replay was necessary at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday.
It was the outcome that neither Ferguson nor Gianluca Vialli wanted, given
that vital Premiership games at Liverpool and Middlesbrough respectively will
now have to be rearranged.
But while a replay was all Vialli could have hoped for after Roberto Di
Matteo's dismissal for two yellow cards, Ferguson compounded his selection error
by bringing Yorke on for just 18 minutes and Cole for a paltry eight minutes.
Meanwhile, if referee Paul Durkin had not seen Graeme Le Saux's apparent elbow
to the head of Robbie Fowler last weekend at Stamford Bridge, he certainly made
up for it at Old Trafford.
For Ferguson's misery in a largely disappointing game was compounded four
minutes from time when Paul Scholes became the second player to be dismissed for
a second booking.
United did create and waste several clear-cut chances, with Scholes and David
Beckham the main culprits, but Chelsea defended with vigour and rugged
determination in the second period.
The Blues had a burning desire to set the record straight after a 4-0 FA Cup
Final defeat in 1994, a semi-final elimination two years later and a 5-3
humiliation last year in the third round at United's hands.
Although being without Gianluca Vialli, Frank Leboeuf, Dennis Wise and
Celestine Babayaro through suspension, one glance at the United team-sheet must
have given them instant confidence.
Not only were Yorke and Cole on the bench but Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was up
front on his own, Ryan Giggs was also out, Jaap Stam banned and Ronny Johnsen
injured - a shadow even of the side which beat Fulham in the last round.
Jesper Blomqvist and Beckham attempted to support Solskjaer, while Scholes
also pushed forward and placed a hurried effort wide early on as he just beat Ed
De Goey to a through-ball, while the keeper also parried a drive from Roy
Keane.
Chelsea, with Gianfranco Zola being man-marked by Phil Neville, were
completely shorn of invention and were playing far too predictable high balls up
to Tore Andre Flo.
They did manage to create their only chance of the first-half on 37 minutes
when the industrious Jody Morris placed his shot far too close to Peter
Schmeichel from the edge of the penalty area.
However, that simply sparked United into life, with Beckham finally managing
to find the space to whip in a cross reminiscent of the lethal deliveries with
which he destroyed Inter Milan in midweek.
Gary Neville got the slightest of touches on the ball at the near post but it
ran across the face of goal, rebounded off the far post and was cleared to
safety.
Then Blomqvist escaped the attentions of Albert Ferrer on the left and Keane
left his cross to Scholes, who lamely mishit his volley off target.
As United pressed again, Scholes turned instantly and Di Matteo came flying in
to tackle the spot where the ball had been - connecting only with the
midfielder's legs.
It was not vicious or pre-planned but referee Durkin was technically correct
in sending off the Italian, who had earlier been booked for a foul on Beckham.
Within five minutes of the restart, the England midfielder was presented with
a clear-cut opening virtually on the penalty spot but he spooned it horribly
over the bar.
Chelsea, with Eddie Newton on for Petrescu, were momentarily rattled and Le
Saux promptly gifted possession to Blomqvist, who ran menacingly forward and
beat De Goey with a powerful drive but also the far post.
Still United's chances came and went. Keane hit the side-netting and Scholes
had a golden chance from Solksjaer's intelligent pass only for De Goey to pull
off a spectacular reaction save.
A cross from Solskjaer caused mayhem, Gary Neville drove wide, Scholes
half-volleyed off target but still Chelsea held on.
Then Ferguson bowed to the inevitable and introduced Yorke for Phil Neville
with 18 minutes left, finally relieving Solskjaer of his lone role.
The former Aston Villa striker was immediately in the thick of the action,
crossing for Scholes to head straight at De Goey and then forcing the keeper
into an acrobatic tip over the bar from an overhead kick.
A free-kick from Zola did cause Peter Schmeichel a moment of consternation but
it was almost completely one-way traffic and the Italian was substituted for
Andy Myers with 11 minutes left as Chelsea were forced to look for a replay.
That was exactly what United did not want, and Ferguson threw on Cole and
Teddy Sheringham, for Solskjaer and Blomqvist, on 82 minutes.
Their cause was hardly helped when Scholes was also dismissed with four
minutes left for his second yellow card, a late tackle on Bjarne Goldbaek to
follow a first-half foul on Dan Petrescu.
United did win a flurry of late corners, with Sheringham and Yorke both seeing
efforts blocked, but Chelsea's impressive defence held on.
And so the two sides, who have not been separated in three meetings this
season, prepare for the replay at Stamford Bridge. Some penalty-taking practice
would be advisable this week.
Teams
Man Utd: Schmeichel, G. Neville, Berg, Brown, Irwin, Beckham,
Keane, P. Neville (Yorke 73), Blomqvist (Cole 82), Scholes,
Solskjaer (Sheringham 82).Subs Not Used: Raimond Van Der Gouw, Curtis.
Sent Off: Scholes (86).
Booked: Keane, Scholes, P. Neville.
Chelsea: De Goey, Ferrer, Desailly, Lambourde, Le Saux, Petrescu (Newton 45), Di Matteo, Morris, Goldbaek,
Flo (Forssell 60), Zola (Myers 80).
Subs Not Used: Hitchcock, Nicholls.
Sent Off: Di Matteo (45).Booked: Desailly, Di Matteo.
Att: 54,587
Ref: P Durkin (Portland).
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