MANCHESTER UNITED 4-4-2
Oliver Kay
EDWIN VAN DER SAR 6
Strangely comfortable until he was tested by Gérémi’s fierce drive after 38 minutes, but had to be alert thereafter. Possibly distracted by Saha for Chelsea’s equaliser
Set the tone for United’s first-half display with a shuddering challenge on Ballack. Offered little going forward, perhaps cautious given the high stakes
RIO FERDINAND 6
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Did well enough against Drogba and Shevchenko, occasional carelessness apart, but it was Vidic, his colleague, who did most to keep Chelsea out until Carvalho equalised
NEMANJA VIDIC 7
Was in a crowd of players who were outjumped by Carvalho for the Chelsea goal, but otherwise he was commanding as he provided the steel alongside Ferdinand’s silk
GABRIEL HEINZE 6
Preferred to Patrice Evra because of his battling qualities and, like Vidic, did not disappoint, but he was occasionally overrun by Essien in the second half
CRISTIANO RONALDO 6
Not for the first time, his duel with Ashley Cole was fascinating. The Chelsea man shaded it, but the Portuguese kept asking questions until his afternoon was ended by injury
One of many United players for whom it was a game of two halves. Busy and enterprising in the first period, he was reduced to chasing shadows — not his forte — in the second
MICHAEL CARRICK 7
His most productive outing for United. Did not dictate the game but did much to disrupt Chelsea’s rhythm, notably with the interception that led to Saha’s goal. Booked
RYAN GIGGS 6
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Quietly influential during the first half, opening up the Chelsea defence in the build-up to the goal, but faded in the second half as the visiting midfield took control
LOUIS SAHA 6
Had lamented that “a thousand sorrys” would not atone for his penalty miss against Celtic, but a single stroke of his left foot did. Faded in the second period
Unable to impose his quality on the opposition as he would have wished, with his old adversary Carvalho in excellent form. His workrate was extraordinary, if nothing else
SUBSTITUTIONS
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John O’Shea for Saha, 86
Filled the midfield without making much impact
Darren Fletcher for Ronaldo, 86
Introduced a more predictable element than the tricky winger had provided
CHELSEA 4-4-2
Matt Hughes
CARLO CUDICINI 5
Beaten at his near post by Saha, but it would be churlish to criticise an otherwise sound display. Suspicion remains that Petr Cech would have got down quicker, though
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GEREMI 4
Given a torrid afternoon by Giggs, with the only blessing being that it was mercifully cut short at half-time when the more attacking Robben came on and Essien dropped back
RICARDO CARVALHO 7
Caught out of position on occasion and guilty of standing off Saha for United’s goal, but more than made amends with the equaliser, towering above Heinze to head home
JOHN TERRY 7
Kept his side in the game with a number of crucial tackles, showing brave leadership and exuding the spirit that enabled the champions to come from behind
ASHLEY COLE 7
Enjoyed a testing running battle with Ronaldo and just about edged it, keeping the Portugal winger relatively quiet and showing why he is one of the world’s best left backs
MICHAEL ESSIEN 6
Showed his energy and flexibility by playing in three different positions, giving the visitors extra momentum going forward when moved to right back in the second half
CLAUDE MAKELELE 6
Busy and industrious as ever, the former France midfield player improved as the match went on in contrast to his tiring opposite number, Scholes. Booked
MICHAEL BALLACK 5
Courted by United before Chelsea came a-calling but they will not regret missing out on this performance. Gave the ball away and several free kicks in an untidy display
FRANK LAMPARD 6
Initially overshadowed by Carrick but improved dramatically in the second half, testing Van der Sar with a series of shots but without finding a way past
ANDRIY SHEVCHENKO 5
Won the Champions League for AC Milan on his previous visit here, but this was more of an Intertoto Cup display as he struggled to cope with the pace of the game
DIDIER DROGBA 6
Showed no sign of the ankle injury that he suffered against Werder Bremen as he worked tirelessly throughout, heading over the bar after a rare good cross by Ballack. Booked
SUBSTITUTIONS
Arjen Robben for Gérémi, 45min
Made little impact but at least liberated Lampard ... 5
Joe Cole for Shevchenko, 75
Worked hard, with little impact
Paulo Ferreira for Ballack, 90
Ran the clock down but not much else