Mon 09 Sep 2007Grant gets no quarter for a startManchester United 2 Chelsea 0: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. 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.