morning papers man utd away

The Times September 24, 2007
Chelsea made to suffer by Mike Dean’s deficienciesManchester United 2 Chelsea 0Martin Samuel, Chief Football Correspondent
Mike Dean had some big calls to make at Old Trafford yesterday. It really would have spoilt it had he got one right. He gave a penalty that was not; missed a penalty that was; sent off a player that did not deserve it; merely cautioned one that did. When Sir Alex Ferguson describes a red card to an opposition player as harsh, it would suggest an extreme miscarriage of justice. If the jury is out on the new Chelsea manager, Avram Grant, it is because the performance of the referee ruled this match a mistrial.
Chelsea were not particularly impressive, but the dismissal of John Obi Mikel for a tackle that was at worst recklessly overenthusiastic in the 31st minute, ended the match as a fair contest. Denied their two most significant attacking players in Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard, Chelsea were already struggling to contain Manchester United; once reduced to ten men it made the first goal a matter of time, and roughly 14 minutes later one duly arrived.
The only reason to withhold sympathy for Chelsea, who, with 11 points from seven games are experiencing their worst spell since the stewardship of Gianluca Vialli in the 2000-01 season, is the fact that before Dean had wrongly dismissed Mikel, he had also failed to spot a certain penalty when Joe Cole clumsily hacked Patrice Evra down in the penalty area. As the second half unfolded, the calamities continued. Joe Cole could easily have followed Mikel to the dressing-room for taking out Cristiano Ronaldo, late, from behind and with no chance of winning the ball. Louis Saha looked to have played Dean for a patsy when winning a penalty in the 88th minute, making the most of minimal contact from Tal Ben Haim and collapsing to the ground as if picked off by a stadium sniper.
In this way, Dean ensured that few are any the wiser about Grant or his regime. Had he continued to hold United to a goalless draw, what would he have done to win the game late on? Would understandable early caution have given way to a more expansive style? Would he have thrown a second striker on, perhaps moved away from the 4-3-3 blueprint of José Mourinho? We must wait and see; the dead hand of Dean killed the game, as surely as Grant’s solemn demeanour and a series of hangdog touchline expressions are doing no favours for Chelsea’s hopes of sending a global brand around the world, after the departure of the handsome, smartly attired and compelling José Mourinho.
Grant had little to crack a smile about, once Dean ripped a hole in his solidly-constructed midfield, by showing Mikel a straight red card for a tackle that warranted at most a yellow, if that. Mikel’s tackle on Evra may have looked two-footed from Dean’s angle, but replays showed Mikel led with one and mistimed his arrival only slightly.
It looked much worse than it was, but experienced professional referees such as Dean are there to judge such things and five dismissals in his past seven matches suggests a certain overeagerness. The reaction of the United players, particularly Wayne Rooney, did not help, though. For obvious reasons he, more than anyone, should have known better.
As should Joe Cole when, in the seventeenth minute, he chased Evra back into Chelsea’s penalty area from along the flank, before attempting a diving tackle that took the ball, but only after removing the player first. As the crowd roared for a penalty, Dean signalled a firm negative in front of the Stretford End. Full marks for bravery, zero for accuracy. Anyone can take the ball if the man can be sent airborne, too, and Chelsea could have been a goal down almost 30 minutes before Carlos Tévez opened the scoring.
Even that goal, his first of the season, was not without controversy. Dean’s assistant showed that two minutes of injury time would be played at the end of the first half, but there were more than three additional minutes on the clock when Tévez met a perfect cross from Ryan Giggs at the near post to glance the ball past Petr Cech.
And that, really, was that. A shot by Giggs over the bar in the 58th minute aside, the second half consisted of little more than bookings and unsuccessful Chelsea substitutions - Claudio Pizarro looking even more cumbersome than Andriy Shevchenko and Shaun Wright-Phillips seeming about as far away from an England player as it is possible to be, without turning into Michael Ricketts – punctuated by the odd howler from Dean.
His final lowlights comprised the decision to book Joe Cole for a tackle on Ronaldo that was considerably worse than Mikel’s hit on Evra and the penalty given to Saha for a small touch from Ben Haim, followed by a dive that appeared to make even his manager uncomfortable. Saha converted from the spot, underlying rough justice as the theme for the day.
United were much the better team and deserved the win, incredibly the first time since April 28 that Ferguson’s team have scored more than a single goal in a game. Chelsea’s premium performer was Cech, whose first-half display in goal was exceptional, including saves from Rooney, Michael Carrick, Tévez and a quite stunning stop after a glancing header from Nemanja Vidic.
Chelsea, by contrast, were ineffectual and the continued inclusion of Roman Abramovich’s favourite, Shevchenko, is doing little to increase their chances of scoring. He had a shot travel over after eight minutes and pulled off an exquisite turn six minutes later, which caused Evra and Vidic to run into each other, but these were party tricks, when his club needed a star turn. He was replaced by Salomon Kalou after 58 minutes to the surprise of nobody.
At the end, Abramovich stood and applauded warmly as if what he had seen was a big improvement. It was nothing of the sort. Chelsea were predictable and uninspiring, as they have been for much of the season; the only change was that this time it was agreed widely that they also had the referee to blame. In a bizarre way, while being stitched up by Dean, the new manager might also have been a little lucky he was there.
AVRAM WATCH
Team selection Grant would have to be a cross between Rinus Michels and Arsène Wenger to fulfil the demand for beautiful football, but on this evidence he is closer to José Mourinho. Sprang a surprise by dropping Salomon Kalou for an extra midfield player, although, in the circumstances, it was justified. 3 Mourinhos out of 5
Substitutions Grant showed that he is his own man. Andriy Shevchenko was bravely removed after 58 minutes and he took a gamble by putting on Shaun Wright-Phillips and Claudio Pizarro in search of an equaliser. The manager was unable to get his side back into the game, but he was not responsible for losing it, either. 3/5
Tactics If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, then maybe Grant liked Mourinho after all. The Israeli’s tactics were reminiscent of his predecessor’s, if not more conservative, with Chelsea’s 4-1-4-1 formation designed to smother Manchester United. As the home side dominated entirely, they cannot be deemed a success. 2/5
Touchline demeanour With his ill-fitting tracksuit, Grant resembles a provincial PE teacher in contrast to Mourinho’s slick corporate lawyer, and their approach to management appears equally different. Whereas Mourinho ranted and raved, Grant was either sat in the dugout or standing silently with arms folded, offering little in the way of inspiration. 2/5
Specialness To judge from the fact that the travelling supporters refused to chant his name – singing instead for Mourinho and Steve Clarke – Chelsea fans are still to be convinced. The home supporters taunted them with “Where is the Special One?”. After this, Chelsea fans may be wondering the same. 2/5 Matt Hughes
Manchester United 2 Tévez 45, Saha 90 (pen) Chelsea 0
How they rated
Manchester United 4-2-3-1
E van der Sar 6 W Brown Y 7 R Ferdinand 8 N Vidic 7 P Evra 6 M Carrick 7 P Scholes 6 C Ronaldo 7 C Tévez 7 R Giggs 7 W Rooney Y 7 Substitutes L Saha (for Tévez, 78min) Not used Nani, G Piqué, J O’Shea, T Kuszczak Next: Birmingham City (a)
Chelsea 4-1-4-1
P Cech 8 P Ferreira 6 T Ben Haim 6 J Terry Y 6 A Cole 7 M Essien 6 C Makelele 6 J O Mikel R 5 J Cole Y 5 A Shevchenko 5 F Malouda 6 Substitutes S Kalou 5 (for Shevchenko, 58), S Wright-Phillips 4 (for Malouda, 68), C Pizarro (for J Cole, 75) Not used C Cudicini, Alex Next: Fulham (h)
Referee M Dean Attendance 75,663 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Telegraph:Man Utd quick to capitalise on Chelsea vacuumBy Henry Winter
Manchester United (1) 2 Chelsea (0) 0
On the day that "Avram Who?" became "Avram Why?", Chelsea lost a player, two goals and three points to compound the disaster of losing the inspirational Jose Mourinho. If they are to rebuild for the future, Chelsea must appoint a more substantial successor to Mourinho than Avram Grant, who possesses neither the leadership skills nor the coaching licence.
As Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich sat alone with his thoughts in a deserted directors' box at the break, serenaded by United chants of "You've Lost Your Special One", even the Russian oligarch must have acknowledged that success comes to those who employ high-class managers and then leave them alone. Arsene Wenger's vibrant Arsenal lead the Premier League followed by Sir Alex Ferguson's Manchester United, who are beginning to find their elegant stride.
Chelsea supporters must surely hope that Grant is merely a caretaker while they await the arrival of a heavyweight manager such as Fabio Capello or Marcelo Lippi or even that bright, young Teutonic thing, Jurgen Klinsmann. The unexplained presence of Marco van Basten, the highly admired Holland coach, in the smart seats must have excited Chelsea followers.
Visitors were greeted by local wags with "We hear it's cold down at Chelsea – it is Minus One but it is a Special One!" Mourinho's departure was certainly mourned by the away fans, who signalled their displeasure with chants and banners. "Jose Mourinho – Simply The Best" read one.
Chelsea fans' lack of respect for Grant was brutally obvious in their sustained chant of "Stevie Clarke's Blue And White Army", showing support for the team, and a loyal club servant, but deliberately omitting the new manager. The second line of "We Hate Tottenham" has been construed in some quarters as a coded criticism of Abramovich, who is Jewish.
In fairness to Abramovich's contentious appointment, Grant made a few decent decisions. After an hour, he removed Abramovich's favoured one, Andrei Shevchenko, who ran hard but was largely ineffectual. Before John Obi Mikel's dismissal forced Chelsea to sit deep and rely on counter-attacks, Grant's side pushed forward in numbers. Equally encouraging was Chelsea's new-found refusal to hound the hapless referee Mike Dean.
Yet Grant lacks presence and he cut a lonely figure in the dug-out, with swathes of empty seats around him, watching the dispiriting events of the first half unfolding in front of him. Not for the first time in recent days, Chelsea found themselves a man down in controversial circumstances.
When Mikel over-ran the ball in midfield after 30 minutes, Patrice Evra slid in for a routine piece of mopping up. Angered by his own carelessness, Mikel carried through with his right boot slightly raised, making contact with little Evra, who went somersaulting through the air. Brandishing a red card, Dean called the challenge "two-footed", although Mikel's left foot made no contact. "There was intent, and he could have hurt the boy, but it was still harsh for him to go," said Ferguson. "Some referees would have let it go."
Grant emerged from the dug-out, indicating that Chelsea should switch from 4-1-2-2-1 to 4-4-1 with Shevchenko isolated in attack. The ball inevitably came largely into United's domain. One Giggs free-kick was brilliantly met by the excellent Nemanja Vidic, who beat Terry to power a header goalwards. Petr Cech saved superbly, echoing his feat in the first minute when he had pushed away Wayne Rooney's curling shot.
Chelsea's keeper was beaten deep into stoppage time. In the wake of a Ryan Giggs corner, the busy Wes Brown headed the ball back down the inside-right channel to the Welsh winger. Chelsea froze. Shevchenko should have closed down Giggs. Terry should have tracked Tevez's run towards the near post. Giggs bent the ball in with the outside of his left foot, Tevez escaped Terry and nipped ahead of Cech to score with a wonderful flicked header. United fans turned and did 'chin up' signals to Abramovich.
Yet Chelsea did not fall apart, although Joe Cole was fortunate to stay on the field, following a spiteful and deliberate targeting of Ronaldo's right Achilles. The Portuguese sorcerer fortunately retained all his limbs but Ferguson lost his temper, giving Dean a blast of the famous hair-drier. "These are the kind of tackles that put players out of the game," railed Ferguson later. "It was a clear red card, but he only got a yellow."
Dean soon erred again, gifting United the softest of penalties two minutes from time. When Louis Saha drifted inside Tal Ben Haim, the defender made contact but it was minimal. Saha, though, reacted as if he had been hit by a knuckle-duster rather than feather-duster, and went down in embarrassingly exaggerated fashion.
The penalty earned, Saha jumped up and calmly slotted the dead ball past Cech. "I have seen our penalty and that was harsh," said Ferguson. It was the first time his side had struck twice in a game since April, and the good times are clearly rolling again for United. Chelsea have some good players – they just need a good manager.
Man of the match
Carlos Tevez (Manchester Utd)
One goal from six efforts Created one scoring chance Lost possession just four times ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Indy:Manchester United 2 Chelsea 0: Mikel red card upstages Grant to leave Abramovich bemused By Sam Wallace
Having a friend like Roman Abramovich must be a wonderful thing indeed, especially when he dishes out the kind of job that obscure coaches with precious little relevant experience do not usually get. The hitch for Avram Grant yesterday was that for all the marvellous things his new pal can do, he cannot influence opponents, fickle fate or even referees. Not yet anyway.
Played one, lost one is the record of the new Chelsea manager although on the final whistle yesterday Abramovich leapt to his feet and applauded in the directors' box rather than turning on his heel and walking out in a huff. A few minutes later he and his entourage set off, Sopranos-style, for the changing room presumably to reassure Grant that he was still in a job. Now Abramovich has the manager he wants, it is just the results that are a problem.
No points but at least Grant had plenty of excuses when Abramovich pushed open the door. Specifically, they will have focused upon the referee Mike Dean who made two erratic decisions, the first when he failed to award a penalty to Manchester United for Joe Cole's crude challenge on Patrice Evra on 17 minutes. Then, more crucially from Grant's point of view, there was the poorly-judged dismissal of John Obi Mikel on 32 minutes for a challenge on Evra that was worth of a booking yet ended up tipping the balance of the match.
Judging Grant's impact on Chelsea will take longer than this one game which had to be viewed through the prism of the upheaval of the last six days, the absence of Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba and Dean's unique take on the match. The referee also allowed Carlos Tevez an extra 30 seconds of the allotted first half injury-time to score United's first goal, and awarded a late penalty to Louis Saha. The Frenchman was certainly guilty of embellishment, if not an outright con, in his tangle with Tal Ben Haim.
The new Chelsea manager has not levered himself into the centre of Abramovich's private court of confidantes without some sense of the politicking required to survive there. That much was evident in the way he flicked aside the questions about his coaching qualifications and shrugged off the opportunity to skewer Dean completely as his predecessor would no doubt have done. To say Grant lacks Jose Mourinho's combative instincts would be an understatement.
That even the Chelsea supporters seem unsure, and divided, as to who is to blame for the situation their club find itself in was evident in their songs. Mourinho was barely afforded a mention after a few early blasts of his name and, in the appropriate style of a totalitarian regime, Grant's existence was simply denied altogether. The chant of "Steve Clarke's blue and white army," was the Chelsea supporters' unusually oblique way of voicing an opinion on their new manager.
There was not really the great outpouring of love that Mourinho might have expected or hoped for. The only aspect of the whole saga the Chelsea fans seemed wholeheartedly agreed upon was the usual uncomplimentary chant about chief executive Peter Kenyon that is the fall-back option in times of crisis. The United fans lent their voices to that one as well.
A strange afternoon, which left Chelsea's billionaire Russian owner with that usual non-plussed expression and, no doubt, the nagging doubt that he may have to chuck another £200m at putting this show back on the road. Without Drogba, and Lampard, this is a very ordinary Chelsea team who even Mourinho would have struggled to make rise to the occasion yesterday. Chelsea held their own for the first 30 minutes but with Mikel's dismissal, United took over.
United? It was easy to forget them at times as the whole Chelsea plot took another absorbing twist. They are now second in the Premier League, just two points behind Arsenal with Chelsea in disarray and Liverpool's gloss wearing thin. Yet Sir Alex Ferguson – by far the most angry man in the entire stadium – was still chasing the fourth official around the coaching area and demanding the dismissal of Joe Cole in the closing stages.
It would be easy to say that life is simpler now for the champions but they have problems of their own, especially the enduring question of whether Tevez and Wayne Rooney are really compatible. The latter also worked himself into a snorting rage in the closing stages, pointlessly targeting Ashley Cole with a particularly bad challenge despite the fact that he had already been booked.
United faced a new Chelsea team which was much like the old Chelsea team – 4-5-1 with Andrei Shevchenko lumbering around on his own up front – but they never really dominated the away side even with the one-man advantage. The sending off came in innocuous circumstances as Mikel slightly overran the ball in midfield and, out of embarrassment, went in on Evra with one set of studs showing. United's players were quick to surround Dean but even they looked surprised when he produced a red.
Before then Joe Cole had, in his own box, brought down Evra with a tackle that was first man and then ball and deserved a penalty. Ironically for Mourinho it was exactly the kind of tracking-back duties that he spent three years imploring the midfielder to undertake. United's break came in the 48th minute of the first half, a corner recycled to Ryan Giggs on the right who hit a brilliant cross with the outside of his right foot for Tevez to head in.
Grant tried to advance some notion of independence in the second half when he substituted the woeful Shevchenko for the equally ineffectual Salomon Kalou. No signs of disapproval were discernible among Abramovich and his stone-washed denim brigade in the directors' box. Rooney let off a bit of steam by stepping all over Claude Makelele. Then Joe Cole scythed down Cristiano Ronaldo and Ferguson's temper exploded.
The challenge on Saha by Ben Haim was clumsy but not criminal and the Frenchman did a good job of his anguished expression and arched-back dive to win the penalty. The spot-kick was sent straight down the middle by Saha to tie things up. No matter, seemed to be the mood from Chelsea, the whole project starts again from today. It could prove to be another expensive experiment.
Goals: Tevez (45) 1-0; Saha pen (89) 2-0.
Manchester United (4-4-2): Van der Sar; Brown, Vidic, Ferdinand, Evra; Ronaldo, Carrick, Scholes, Giggs; Rooney, Tevez (Saha, 79). Substitutes not used: Kuszczak (gk), Nani, Pique, O'Shea.
Chelsea (4-5-1): Cech; Ferreira, Terry, Ben Haim, A Cole; Essien, Makelele, Mikel, J Cole (Pizarro, 76), Malouda (Wright-Phillips, 69); Shevchenko (Kalou, 59). Substitutes not used: Cudicini (gk), Alex.
Booked: Manchester United Rooney, Brown; Chelsea J Cole, Terry.
Sent off: Mikel (32).
Referee: M Dean (Wirral).
Man of the match: Essien---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------United have last laugh as Blues are undone by man in black
Kevin McCarra at Old TraffordMonday September 24, 2007The Guardian
The contrast with the Jose Mourinho era took the expected form. Avram Grant's Chelsea lost to Manchester United, a failing almost unknown when the Portuguese was in charge. Football, admittedly, is too complex ever to be covered by that sort of bald summation. Yesterday, for instance, the outcome must have been affected by the dubious red card for the visitors' midfielder Mikel John Obi when the match was goalless.Once United had scored, with Carlos Tevez notching his first goal for the club, Chelsea enjoyed no more than a meaningless rally. Sir Alex Ferguson's side remembered to keep ample numbers behind the ball and spirited breaks by the visitors petered out, with no genuine saves required of Edwin van der Sar. Those seeking to have their emotions stirred were best advised to keep their eyes on the referee.
The most that can be said for Mike Dean is that he was entitled to show a red card and to give a penalty. The official, though, will not be pardoned for making those decisions in incidents that did not merit them. While Mikel overreacted after losing control of the ball in the 32nd minute, the stretching challenge that bit into Patrice Evra's left ankle merited a caution instead of the third dismissal of his Chelsea career.There was no relation between the real incident and the two-footed lunge indicated by Dean. Penalty rulings were equally haphazard. With less than a minute to go Tal Ben Haim, face to face with Louis Saha, made the merest contact with the substitute and the Frenchman, cocking a snook at the laws of physics, fell forward. His conscience did not distract him from converting the penalty.
Grant, as different from his pre- decessor at Stamford Bridge as the rest of the human race, later made his complaints without attempting an amateur's impersonation of an esoteric Mourinho tirade. His side, on other occasions, had sinned and been absolved by Dean. Joe Cole did foul Evra inside the penalty area in the 18th minute, yet the offence went unrecognised. The same Chelsea midfielder got off, too, with a caution for a cynical foul on Cristiano Ronaldo after 74 minutes when there was no intent or prospect of getting the ball.
All things considered, a just verdict may have been reached by accident. The opener came through a rare piece of artistry that merited some reward. Even then, however, Dean could be faulted. Two minutes of first-half stoppage time had been completed, but the referee let play continue after Chelsea had dealt with a corner.
Wes Brown knocked the ball accurately towards Ryan Giggs on the right and the veteran bent it exquisitely towards the near post with the outside of his left foot. Tevez beat Petr Cech to the cross and headed his first goal for United from close range.
The Argentinian had a productive day, roaming and linking when United went on the attack, yet it is at least as relevant that Ferguson's team have racked up a fifth consecutive clean sheet. They might not look as if they are related to the effervescent line-up that won the Premiership title last season, and Arsenal are the sole team in the top flight who can be recommended wholeheartedly for style and excitement, but United rise to second place in the table.
The Old Trafford side will be thrilling sooner or later. They can barely help but do so when such talents are available to them. After two minutes, Wayne Rooney cut inside Ben Haim and Cech had to pull off an outstanding fingertip save to thwart his curling drive. United did hint at reserves of creativity at times and, for instance, it was only the tightness of the angle that stopped them from scoring when Giggs put a volley over after Rooney's cross had gone beyond the reach of Cech.
Chelsea should not allow their grievances to distract them from their faults. Some are accounted for by the injuries to Ricardo Carvalho, Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba, but a lot of money had still been laid out on the footballers who did take part. Whenever funds are discussed, the conversation turns to the £30m Andriy Shevchenko.
The Ukrainian's wish to make a fresh start was apparent and his work was laudable, good enough for Roman Abramovich to applaud warmly when Shevchenko went off after an hour. None the less, he lacked the predatory trait that made him worth such a hefty price in bygone times.
United were prudent after the interval. In a generally dull contest people such as Michael Carrick caught the eye. The midfielder, who has lost status in the England squad, passed better yesterday than he has previously in this campaign.
Chelsea, who last won when they beat Portsmouth on August 25, badly need to mount a comeback of their own. Grant made minor alterations yesterday to Mourinho's tactics but the Israeli will have to pull off remarkable feats before supporters bin the "Jose Mourinho - simply the best" banner raised yesterday.
After a difficult month or two, he was back to his normal self and used the ball reliably and well.
Man of the match: Michael Carrick
After difficult month or two, he was back to his normal self and used the ball reliably and well.
Best moment A long diagonal ball in the 58th minute which was fired high by Giggs.
Four decisions that shaped the game
The penalty that was but wasn't given ...
Joe Cole recklessly scythes down Patrice Evra just inside the penalty area. Replays show that Cole got the man not the ball but the referee, Mike Dean, ignores calls for a spot-kick.
The penalty that wasn't but was given ...
Tal Ben Haim's boot makes the slightest of touches with Louis Saha. The United striker theatrically goes to ground and Dean points to the spot. Saha scores to make it 2-0.
The red card that was given ...
Mikel John Obi's two-footed lunge on Evra misses the ball but takes out the defender. Referee Dean has no hesitation in punishing the challenge with a straight red card for dangerous play.
The red card that wasn't
Joe Cole is the unpunished villain once again as his rash sliding challenge on Cristiano Ronaldo sends the Portuguese winger sprawling. But the tackle goes unpunished, to Sir Alex Ferguson's dismay.
Attendance: 75,663.---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Mail:
Tevez the wrecker on Grant's big dayManchester United 2 Chelsea 0
by IAN LADYMAN
Manchester United deepened Chelsea's early-season misery on a bad-tempered and controversial afternoon at Old Trafford yesterday.
Three days after the departure of Jose Mourinho, new Chelsea coach Avram Grant saw his team slip five points behind Premier League leaders Arsenal as goals from Carlos Tevez and Louis Saha gave United victory.
But the game was riddled with disputes as referee Mike Dean harshly sent off John Obi Mikel for a late tackle on Patrice Evra and then appeared to play too much added time at the end of the first half — allowing Tevez to score the crucial first goal from a Ryan Giggs cross.
Dean could easily have sent off Joe Cole for a second-half tackle that United manager Sir Alex Ferguson claimed might have ended Cristiano Ronaldo's career and then gave United a late penalty when Saha appeared to dive after the slightest touch from Chelsea defender Tal Ben Haim.
Afterwards, new Chelsea coach Grant, who is confident of obtaining a UEFA Pro Licence by the end of the year, suggested his team could have won had it not been for Dean's performance.
Grant said: "The referee tried his best but he made three big mistakes.
"Sir Alex can be more than happy with the referee's performance.
"Too many strange things happened today.
"There was the sending-off that was not a sending-off, then he played three minutes of added time instead of two and then there was the penalty at the end.
"Maybe it's a coincidence that these things happened or maybe I am naive.
"But the fact is that the decisions affected the result.
"I have every respect for Alex, but you can imagine what his reaction would have been had these same decisions gone against his team."
Mikel's dismissal seemed harsh and Chelsea confirmed last night they have already appealed in a bid to get the Nigerian's automatic three-match ban overturned.
But Cole could also have been sent off in the second period for what appeared a deliberate kick on Ronaldo's ankle.
Ferguson said: "The tackle by Joe Cole was the kind that could have put a player out of the game.
"Cristiano gets this all the time and it's not right.
"But the referee gave Cole a yellow card simply because he had already given a red card to one of their players. He wanted to balance it out.
"The actual sending-off was a bit harsh. There was intent there and he could have hurt the lad. But it's harsh.
"A lot of referees wouldn't have given it.
"The penalty was also a bit harsh. But I think that made up for the one that he should have given us in the first half.
"Maybe there was some balancing out there, too.
"But the decisions did not affect the result of the match.
"We were the better team and we looked as though we had got a bit of our confidence back.
"I am delighted. We were the better team and are beginning to look a bit more like our old selves again."
United's win takes them up to second in the Premier League table behind Arsenal. This was their fifth victory on the bounce after an uncertain start to the season.
For Grant, the size of the task ahead is clear.
Not only will some Chelsea players need convincing he is the man to take the club forward, but he must try to win over the supporters who sang Mourinho's name and draped a banner across the front of the away section, reading: "Jose Mourinho — Simply the best".
Chelsea later made the bizarre claim that Sky Television were responsible for the banner, something the company later denied.
Grant said: "It is not a problem for me. I appreciated his (Mourinho's) achievements as a coach.
"He did good things here. I remember that.
"This just shows our supporters remember that too and that they are good supporters.
"I have only been here for three days so there are no songs for me yet!
"Maybe after a couple of years there will be. I respect him (Mourinho) and enjoyed working with him.
'But give me some time and we will see what happens. I want to do the best for Chelsea.
"We are five points back but that is not a problem for us.
"The base of Chelsea is good but every coach has his own style. Over time, you will see mine."
Grant has been told by the Premier League that he has 12 weeks to obtain the licence he needs to coach in this country.
Last night, a Chelsea spokesman said there are precedents that suggest Grant should be given one on the back of his experience.
"The spokesman said: "If it doesn't happen that way then, as long as he has started the course within the 12 weeks, he will be OK.
"All the processes are under way and we are confident there will not be a problem."
Tevez's headed opener came two-and-a-half minutes into added time, even though the fourth official had indicated there would just be two extra minutes.
But Ferguson said: "I am delighted Tevez got his first goal. He will be a great signing for us." ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Sun:Man Utd 2 Chelsea 0
By SHAUN CUSTISSeptember 24, 2007 ONE of the abiding images during the final weeks of Jose Mourinho’s reign was a disgruntled Roman Abramovich stomping out of Villa Park before the final whistle.
Here in the Old Trafford coliseum the margin of defeat was exactly the same — but this first outing under new boss Avram Grant got the thumbs up from Roman as he stayed to applaud manically at the end.
How Mourinho would have loved such unequivocal support.
Clapping dutifully alongside were chairman Bruce Buck and director Eugene Tenenbaum.
Chief executive Peter Kenyon, once of United and sat a row in front, was no doubt joining in too.
Abramovich is throwing his lot in with the compliant Grant, certainly in the short-term, whether the fans like it or not. And you can be sure they will find a way to obtain the proper coaching qualifications.
The sight of Dutch legend Marco van Basten, sat in the row behind the Chelsea billionaire, was a red herring apparently. He was present as a guest of United, although it is well known he is hugely admired by some of Roman’s advisors.
It would be unfair to draw sweeping conclusions about new Chelsea from this performance because the Blues had to play nearly an hour with 10 men after the 32nd-minute dismissal of Mikel John Obi.
Referee Mike Dean was one person Roman was definitely not applauding for what was a harsh sending off which effectively killed a muchanticipated game as a proper contest.
Mikel had run the ball too far and as he stretched to retrieve the situation, he went in foot up on Patrice Evra while at the same time trying to pull out of the challenge at the very last second.
It was not a great challenge but it was a yellow card at worst. Instead Dean came straight out with the
red. Mikel got the bird from the home fans who have not forgotten how, having signed for United, he had his head turned by a better offer from Chelsea and went through a legal minefield to secure a move to Stamford Bridge.
Grant reckoned the ref made three mistakes — the sending off, playing beyond two minutes of added time at the end of the first half which allowed Carlos Tevez to score, and giving United a penalty at the end.
He neglected to mention a terrible tackle by his own Joe Cole on Cristiano Ronaldo which was more of a red-card offence than Mikel’s and an early foul by the same Cole on Evra which looked a stick-on penalty.
United manager Alex Ferguson had it about right when he argued Dean spent the afternoon balancing his mistakes. The ref had a bit of a nightmare.
There was a feeling disgruntled Chelsea might get a thumping so cheesed off were they with Mourinho’s departure. And when Petr Cech had to make an early world-class save from Wayne Rooney the signs were ominous.
But Chelsea’s commitment could not be faulted and midfield man-mountain Michael Essien put in a display which said it does not matter who the manager is, those in the Blue shirt have a duty to perform.
The visiting Chelsea fans were lost in a wave of confusion about the week’s events. They sang a couple of times for Mourinho and cheered skipper John Terry’s name despite claims his row with Mourinho was a factor in the manager’s departure.
They also chanted “Stevie Clarke’s blue and white army” in deference to the first-team coach and former Chelsea player who has become part of the furniture at Stamford Bridge and is now assisting Grant. Nothing for Abramovich or Grant though. Mikel’s misdemeanour meant Chelsea could only hope to hang on for a draw. With United having failed to score more than once in their previous games this season, there was a chance.
But as the clock ticked on past the two minutes of time added at the end of the first half, Ryan Giggs struck a cross with the outside of his left foot and Tevez dived in front of Cech to head in — his first goal for the club.
Rooney was booked for a foul on Ashley Cole and then did his best to even up the sides when he ploughed into Cole again and was fortunate to escape with a warning.
With a minute left, sub Louis Saha turned into the box, Tal Ben Haim flicked out a leg and the United man went down as if shot.
Dean bought it and Saha showed his amazing powers of recovery to slot the spot-kick straight down the middle.
Chelsea have not won any of their last four games and are sixth in the table. While United are not wholly convincing, they have won their last five matches without conceding a goal to sit second behind Arsenal.
Now Mourinho has gone it is back to Fergie v Wenger again.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Mirror:NO JOSE AND NO MERCY BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE LIFE AFTER MOURINHO MAN UTD 2 CHELSEA 0 FROM OLD TRAFFORDUnited and blunder ref Dean pile on the misery for Chelsea
Martin Lipton Chief Football Writer 24/09/2007
No Room for sympathy, no place for sentiment, as Old Traf ford revelled in Chelsea's week of misery.
Sir Alex Ferguson made the most of Stamford Bridge disarray in the wake of Jose Mourinho's exit as his side ominously shifted into gear, moving up to second place by scoring more than one for the first time all season.
Chelsea had spent the week shooting themselves in the foot, the worst possible preparation for a game that always has so much at stake.
Last night, though, they found themselves scalped by The Apache, as Carlos Tevez scored his first United goal, and undermined by referee Mike Dean twice over.
AdvertisementDean will surely accept he was wrong to send off John Obi Mikel and make a difficult job nigh-on impossible for Avram Grant and that he was conned by Louis Saha's blatant dive for the clinching penalty in the death throes of the game.
United, for all Fergie's claims to the contrary, are still not firing on all cylinders - but they remain supremely confident about their final destination.
Chelsea, by contrast, are a ship cut adrift without a rudder, listing precariously, buffeted by every passing wind and wave, holed, perhaps fatally, below the water-line.
They have suffered their worst Premier League start since 2000-01.
The most damaging blows, however, have been the selfinflicted ones, the decision taken by Roman Abramovich, whose lop-sided grin as he sat a row in front of Marco Van Basten in the directors' box appears a fixture on his face.
Abramovich alone bears responsibility for the shambles he has created. Even though Grant pointed an accusatory finger at Mr Dean - nowhere near as aggressively as Fergie's claim that Joe Cole's foul on Cristiano Ronaldo could have ended the winger's career - this was a victory handed to United on a plate.
Chelsea were, unfortunately, down to 10 men from the 32nd minute. Sure, Mikel could have pulled out as he lost control of the ball and let it run to Patrice Evra. But it was clear that the Nigerian went in with one foot, not the two the referee insisted he had seen as justification for the red card he produced.
Yet even before that there was an inevitability about the direction of the match, in which the impressive Michael Carrick pulled the strings. Petr Cech was forced into a flying leap to deny Wayne Rooney - later to be sidetracked by a spat with Ashley Cole that saw him teeter on the disciplinary brink once again.
Andriy Shevchenko, clapped off by the owner after an hour as the Chelsea fans gave an altogether different verdict, was the catalyst for so much of the breach between Abramovich and Mourinho.
But surely the Sheva of old, the man Chelsea thought they were buying for £30million, would have been more alert when Michael Essien teased the ball through the six-yard box from the right.
Then Mr Dean saw nothing wrong with England midfielder Cole's desperate tackle after he allowed Evra beyond him and into the box. But Chelsea's gameplan, whatever it was, went out of the window as Mikel's over-exuberance was harshly punished and it became finger in the dyke time.
Nemanja Vidic beat John Terry to a Ryan Giggs free-kick and bring a save from Cech, who then kicked away Rooney's nearpost delivery.
And 30 seconds beyond the two extra minutes that had been signalled, United struck.
Giggs made the most of the second opportunity to deliver from wide on the right and Tevez threw himself in front of Cech at the near post to divert home.
Tevez wheeled away, pointing one finger in the air to the Stretford End, aware he had got the monkey off his back, scoring 12 games faster than it took him to net his first for West Ham.
Chelsea never looked like recovering. Giggs ran behind Paulo Ferreira, catching his volley flush but was unable to keep it on target. Ferreira stopped Ronaldo getting on the end of Rooney's subtle sandwedge and Cech saved from the Portuguese ace's free-kick, as Ferguson launched a touchline tirade aimed at Joe Cole.
But a minute from time, Mr Dean intervened again, falling for Saha's tumble as he brushed into Tal Ben Haim's leg, and allowing the Frenchman to drill home from 12 yards.
Old Trafford rocked with delight and the roof would have come off if Saha had hit the target after getting in behind the Chelsea defence in added time.
For United, though, another dagger had been stuck in Chelsea's exposed guts. Arsenal will see a familiar shape looming in their wing-mirrors too.
After the Mourinho era, has normal service been resumed?
54% POSSESSION 46%
9 SHOTS ON TARGET 0
8 SHOTS OFF TARGET 3
0 OFFSIDES 0
10 CORNERS 1
13 FOULS 17
2 YELLOW CARDS 2
0 RED CARDS 1
ATTENDANCE: 75,663
Man Of The Match: Carrick