Copy from
Electronic Telegraph


Sunday 1 March 1998
Issue 1010


United keep vessel watertight
By Patrick Barclay at Stamford Bridge


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          Chelsea (0) 0 Manchester United (1) 1
          
          THERE was no spectacular show from Manchester United
          this time. A workmanlike production, enhanced by the first goal
          of Phil Neville's senior career, sufficed to kill off any
          lingering hopes of the Premiership title Chelsea may have
          harboured.
          
          The best the Londoners can expect now is to finish immediatly
          behind United, which would provide an opportunity to enter the
          Champions' League - not one for which they are fitted on recent
          evidence under both the departed Ruud Gullit and his successor
          Gianluca Vialli. Indeed, since Christmas they have lost five of
          eight League matches and that is relegation form.
          
          With Vialli in charge, Chelsea have reached the Coca-Cola Cup
          final but here, as at Leicester last weekend, they were unable
          either to obtain a point or a goal. Vialli's replacement of
          himself with Tore Andre Flo towards the end acknowledged one of
          the more obvious reasons: a lack of pace up front, where Vialli
          and his fellow veterans Mark Hughes and Gianfranco Zola
          struggled to break down a United defence that suffered anything
          but an adverse effect from the loss of Gary Pallister in the
          first half.
          
          Pallister never looked comfortable before succumbing to back
          trouble, an all too familiar affliction that renders him
          extremely doubtful for Wednesday's first leg of the Champions'
          League quarter-final in Monaco. Once Henning Berg had joined
          the splendid Ronny Johnsen in an all-Nor- wegian partnership,
          however, United were watertight and the advantage supplied by
          Neville never came under serious threat.
          
          That entertainment was sparse - the youngster's expertly
          contrived and executed goal apart - did not bother Alex
          Ferguson, who declared himself more pleased than after the 5-3
          triumph in the FA Cup two months ago. "It means a lot more,"
          said the United manager, "because of the competition. At the
          start of the Premiership I thought Chelsea would be our major
          challengers, and our concentration had to be really good today.
          In big games you need that."
          
          It was a scrappy contest on a windy morning when we had
          wondered how much of a difference Dennis Wise, suspended from
          the Cup match, would make. He was certainly evident, pushing
          Nicky Butt, kicking out at Paul Scholes and eventually, after
          elbowing Butt, becoming the first player to incur 10 cautions
          in the Premiership this season. But Wise also played some
          football that helped Chelsea at least to match United for half
          an hour.
          
          The goal, as Vialli said afterwards, changed everything. "We
          made mistakes and the best team in England punished us. They
          could sit back, wait for us, and counter-attack. We did our
          best but it wasn't enough. They didn't give us space."
          
          Butt had a great deal to do with that. Though nature caused him
          to tangle with Wise from time to time, Ferguson used him
          principally on the left side to counter the advances of Dan
          Petrescu and employed Phil Neville in central midfield. It was
          new to Neville, as far as I am aware, yet he performed
          efficiently and took his goal with a composure that was
          scarcely the most prevelant characteristic of the day.
          
          The build-up was nice and careful, too, Teddy Sheringham
          receiving the ball back from Andy Cole before playing in
          Neville, whose low shot went across Dimitri Kharine and just
          inside the far corner. Before this, Kharine had saved from
          Cole, easing home anxiety raised by Michael Duberry's
          aberration, but there was just as much early action at Peter
          Schmiechel's end while Johnsen built a towering display.
          
          It should have surprised no one, as Ferguson implied
          afterwards: "Ronny has played many good games for us. With his
          electric pace and excellent reading of the game, he's without
          question one of the outstanding centre-backs around." Nor did
          Berg lose much by comparison. The pair were in difficulty only
          once, towards the end of the first half, when Petrescu burst
          through the middle and got swerve on a shot that Schmiechel
          fingertipped over. The rest was frustration for Chelsea.
          
          Ferguson had kind words for them afterwards when, bearing no
          scars from a pre-match hand-bagging session with Sky's Andy
          Gray, he was asked to review the Premiership season so far. "I
          think that in general the quality has been better," he said.
          "The progress we made up to December was remarkable, especially
          after losing Roy Keane." Referring to their wobbles last month,
          he added: "Sometimes there's a draining effect in the new year.
          But we've got most of them fit again and we're close to our
          strongest side today." Was this a handily timed lift for morale
          with Monaco looming? "It won't do us any harm, that's for
          sure."
          
          How Chelsea will feel as they prepare to meet Real Betis in
          Seville on Thursday night is another matter. "We'll be ready
          with the right attitude," Vialli promised. "I was quite happy
          with the performance today, if not the result, and we're just
          going to have to keep performing to as high a standard as
          possible in the Premiership because that's the best preparation
          for Europe and the Coca-Cola Cup final."
          
          He defended the 4-3-3 system the former Juventus striker says
          he came to relish in Turin. It might have been designed for
          him, though Zola was again a peripheral figure yesterday,
          unsuited to his role on the left. "I think we have the right
          men to make it work," Vialli insisted. "I know it is a
          difficult way to play football and that it will take time for
          the players to understand exactly what we have to do, but the
          secret is to attack all together and defend all together.
          
          "Maybe we are not there yet, but the only way to get things
          right in the future is to keep playing like this. We did it
          well against Arsenal in the Coca-Cola semi-final, after all. Of
          course, it's very tiring but if we're physically and mentally
          ready, we can do it. The solution lies in working in training
          and all the players are responding very well."
          
          And so it is off to sunny Spain with the distinct worry on
          Chelsea's behalf that their problems have barely been touched
          by Gullit's abrupt disappearance. Their potential, of course,
          is limitless. But though their chairman, Ken Bates, makes play
          of their supposedly sophisticated status as the only genuine
          West End club, at least one more objective expert in football
          administration tells me he has never seen a club so hopelessly
          unprepared for such success as they have achieved so far - or
          the sustenance of same. Immediately after Gullit parted company
          with them, he alluded to this in talking about instances of
          dubious professionalism such as the loss of their kit after the
          Cup final last season and various other cock-ups.
          
          Still, the stadium is coming up to scratch and as usual it was
          packed to the rafters (except the West stand, which has none
          yet) for this reassertion of United's superiority.
            __________________________________________________________
          
          Chelsea (0) 0 Manchester United (1) 1
          P. Neville 31.

          Chelsea: Kharine, Petrescu, Leboeuf, Clarke, Vialli (Flo 78),
          Hughes, Wise, Duberry, Le Saux, Di Matteo, Zola.Subs not used:
          Hitchcock, Lambourde, Newton, Nicholls.Booked: Wise, Zola,
          Leboeuf.

          Manchester United: Schmeichel, G. Neville, Irwin, Johnsen,
          Pallister (Berg 28), Beckham, Butt, Cole, Sheringham, P.
          Neville, Scholes.Subs not used: Van Der Gouw, McClair,
          Solskjaer, Thornley.Booked: Butt, Beckham, Cole.

          Att: 34511
          Ref: S W Dunn (Bristol)
            __________________________________________________________

Neville's first goal give United victory over Chelsea
By Mike Collett

LONDON, Feb 28 (Reuters) - Defender Phil Neville, playing out of position
in midfield, scored the first senior goal of his career to give Manchester
United a deserved 1-0 win over Chelsea in the English premier league on
Saturday. 

The only goal of a disappointing, untidy match full of niggling tackles
and personal feuds at Stamford Bridge, came after 31 minutes when
20-year-old Neville's angled shot went in off the base of goalkeeper
Dmitri Kharine's far post. 

The strike and the move that led to it was one of the few bright moments
and started with a break out of the middle from Denis Irwin. 

His pass found Teddy Sheringham who played a one-two with Andy Cole before
lobbing the Chelsea defence with a pass to Neville who opened his scoring
account in his 74th match for the club. 

``I thought I was offside,'' he said afterwards, although television
replays proved he clearly was not. 

``I wasn't exactly sure what I was going to do when I found myself in that
position, it was an unusual place for me to be.''

United manager Alex Ferguson added: ``It was a bit of a surprise seeing
Philip score,'' he said, ``But he kept his composure and took the chance
very well.''

The result put United back on the winning path after losing to Barnsley in
the F.A. Cup on Wednesday and opened up a 12-point gap on their nearest
challengers who were playing later on Saturday. 

But Ferguson admitted that the match was a poor spectacle between two
teams at the top of the table. 

``The wind, the pitch, didn't help and it was a scrappy game. But we
defended very well and I am very, very pleased we won, far more pleased
than when we beat them here in the Cup last month. 

``I thought Chelsea were going to be a major challenger for the title this
season, but they are now 14 points behind us with 10 matches to play. This
has made it very difficult for them.''

There were 16 bookings in the previous two matches between these sides
this season, and Saturday's match was another bad-tempered affair, with
saw another six players booked -- three from each team. It will not live
long in the memories of many of the 35,000-plus crowd who saw it. 

United, who beat Chelsea 5-3 in the Cup at Stamford Bridge eight weeks
ago, largely dominated again thanks to tireless work in midfield from
David Beckham, Nicky Butt and the outstanding Paul Scholes whose blocking
tackles continually thwarted Chelsea's attacks. 

Ronny Johnsen, the man of the match, was superb in the heart of the United
defence, which restricted Chelsea to just three clear scoring chances. 
Former United striker Mark Hughes missed twice and Italian Gianfranco Zola
once. 

The only time United keeper Peter Schmeichel was really tested was when he
palmed a powerfully-hit long-range shot from Dan Petrescu over the bar in
the first half. 

The match was played early on Saturday before the full league programme to
give United added time to prepare for Wednesday's European Cup
quarter-final against Monaco. But their preparations will be upset by
central defender Gary Pallister limping off in the first half with what
was feared to be a recurrence of a long-standing back injury. 

``Wednesday's match is a huge match for us and this has certainly helped
us prepare for it,'' Ferguson said afterwards, ``I that Gary will be fit,
we will just have to wait and see.''

Chelsea are also playing in European competition next week, against Real
Betis in Seville in the quarter-finals of the Cup Winners' Cup on
Thursday. 
            __________________________________________________________

   March 1 1998 FOOTBALL

   United savour morning glory 
   
   Joe Lovejoy at Stamford Bridge
   Chelsea 0 Manchester United 1 
   
   MANCHESTER UNITED may have their eyes on a greater prize, but there
   was no hint of European distraction about their work yesterday, when
   they applied themselves with muscular diligence to the task of
   extending their domestic hegemony and emerged with due reward for a
   job well done.
   
   After the disappointment of their FA Cup defeat at Barnsley, a
   deserved away win was a timely pick-me-up as they head off for Monte
   Carlo and Wednesday's European Cup quarter-final against Monaco.
   
   A match which featured six international strikers of world renown had
   an unlikely winner in the svelte shape of Phil Neville who, with Glenn
   Hoddle present, did his World Cup prospects no harm by scoring his
   first goal for United from his temporary midfield role.
   
   Unfortunately, for the second weekend in succession, United's
   satisfaction with a good win was marred by an injury that threatens to
   keep a key player out of the Monaco tie. Against Derby County eight
   days ago Ryan Giggs was laid low with a damaged hamstring; yesterday
   Gary Pallister withdrew from the fray 28 minutes after the 11.15
   kick-off with a recurrence of the back trouble which has plagued him.
   With the centre-half they rate the best in the country doubtful for
   Wednesday, United were grateful for proof of Ronny Johnsen's form and
   fitness. Commanding and composed, the Norwegian defender was, by a
   street, man of the match.
   
   Mean-spirited and occasionally spiteful, the game was no classic.
   Littered with six bookings and countless sly fouls, it needed a better
   referee than Bristol's Steve Dunn, who missed too much, to put the lid
   on a profusion of simmering feuds. Chelsea were provocative, but
   United can compete as well as they play, and were in no way fazed when
   the going got tough.
   
   With 10 games to go, the defending champions are 10-1 on to retain
   their title, and it would be a foolish man who wagered against them.
   
   In contrast, Chelsea's championship ambitions, already on life
   support, were finally laid to rest. Fourteen points off the pace, they
   were as ordinary here as they were in losing at Leicester a week
   before, and even the runners-up spot for which Gianluca Vialli, their
   new manager, is aiming may be beyond them.
   
   The swirling wind and a lively pitch were mitigating factors, but the
   football produced by two teams of high repute was disappointing and an
   event of high expectation dissolved into a fractious scrap.
   
   Vialli kept the same side for the second match running. Deploying
   three forwards, himself included, he wants to play like Juventus, but
   lacks the personnel to make his 4-3-3 work. Duberry is no Ferrara,
   Wise no Zidane and the man himself is certainly no Del Piero. Part of
   the problem is that the front three are all past their best and,
   although Vialli will not admit it, a reversion to 4-4-2 can only be a
   matter of time.
   
   Without Giggs, United played it safe on the flanks, with Nicky Butt on
   the left and Phil Neville just inside David Beckham on the other side.
   Compact and competitive, their security was such that Peter Schmeichel
   made only one save worthy of the name, from Dan Petrescu.
   
   The cup-tie between the two sides had been splenetic as well as
   dramatic, and Vialli found it necessary before the rematch to call for
   restraint from Frank Leboeuf and Beckham, who had exchanged
   unpleasantries first time around. Vialli called for maturity, a
   commonsense approach that bodes well. Unfortunately, nobody listened.
   Butt and Dennis Wise were pushing and grabbing at each other early,
   and an unpleasant tone was set.
   
   Beckham was booked for protesting too vehemently when Wise stamped on
   Butt, then the Chelsea captain had his name taken for exacerbating the
   situation. United were never reluctant to get involved, but were more
   sinned against than sinning. On such occasions, Wise is often the
   catalyst for trouble, and his provocative behaviour here called to
   mind Ferguson's old remark, that the little spitfire could cause a row
   in an empty room.
   
   The goal was a shining gem in this base setting. Denis Irwin supplied
   Teddy Sheringham who, on receiving a return pass from Cole, dinked a
   lovely ball over the Chelsea defence for Phil Neville to score with
   crisp composure, right to left.
   
   Given a lead to protect, United defended it in numbers, withdrawing at
   the first hint of danger and challenging Chelsea to break them down.
   Presented with the initiative, Wise showed the better side of his
   nature by orchestrating a fight-back of sorts, but a lot of huffing
   and puffing came to very little and it was United, attacking on the
   break, who were closest to a second goal.
   
   And so to Europe. United travel to Monte Carlo tomorrow, Chelsea play
   Real Betis in Seville on Thursday. We must hope for more appetising
   fare than this.
   
   Chelsea: Kharine, Petrescu, Leboeuf, Clarke, Vialli (Flo 78), Hughes,
   Wise, Duberry, Le Saux, Di Matteo, Zola.
   
   Manchester United: Schmeichel, G Neville, Irwin, Johnsen, Pallister
   (Berg 28), Beckham, Butt, Cole, Sheringham, P Neville, Scholes.
   Scorer: P Neville 31.

   Booked: Butt (35min), Beckham (43min), Wise (43min), Zola (50min),
   Cole (66min), Leboeuf (84min).
   Referee: S Dunn (Bristol).
   Attendance: 34,511.

   Copyright 1998 The Times Newspapers Limited. 
            __________________________________________________________

   March 1 1998 FOOTBALL
   
   United 11 points clear at top of table 
   
   MANCHESTER UNITED eased the pain of their midweek FA Cup defeat at
   Barnsley, and at the same time all but ended the challenge to their
   League title from Chelsea, with a hard-fought 1-0 win at Stamford
   Bridge, writes Joe Lovejoy. 
   
   Gianluca Vialli, Chelsea's new player-manager, conceded defeat in the
   championship race when he saluted the runaway leaders as "the best
   team in the country and one of the best in Europe".
   
   United accepted the compliment with good grace, but are anxious to
   render the "one of" part redundant. They will resume their quest for
   the European Cup in Monaco in confident mood, buoyed by a deserved
   away win and an impressive rehearsal of the cat-and-mouse tactics they
   will use in Wednesday's quarter-final.
   
   Only a back complaint which threatens to rule out Gary Pallister
   marred Alex Ferguson's satisfaction, and there was compensation for
   the United manager in a man-of-the-match performance from Pallister's
   centre-back partner, Ronny Johnsen, and reassurance in the renewed
   availability of David May, who was rested yesterday.
   
   "Johnsen has played many good games like that for us," Ferguson said
   of his injury-plagued defender. "He is an outstanding player. I just
   hope he can stay fit long enough to prove it."
   
   The United manager accepted that a fractious, frenetic match, littered
   with six bookings, had not been good to watch, but cited a lively
   pitch and difficult wind in mitigation.
   
   He preferred to dwell on his team's defensive solidarity: "We defended
   really well and allowed them no chances to speak of."
   
   Ferguson said he was "much more pleased" with yesterday's "solid"
   performance than he had been with the 5-3 victory over Chelsea in the
   FA Cup last month. He showed x-ray vision way beyond any of the
   players on view by identifying signs of a return to the barnstorming
   form with which his team carried all before them in the first half of
   the season.
   
   "There were periods when we showed glimpses of that style," he said.
   "It was always going to be impossible to maintain it. As the season
   goes on you get injuries and suspensions and you can't keep the same
   team that was doing so well when they were fit and fresh in the early
   weeks. But we were nearly back to full strength, and as we get them
   all fit we're starting to produce those magic moments again."
   
   The return of Paul Scholes after illness had been a bonus. He had been
   told to rest for 10 days, but felt fit enough to train on Friday, and
   responded eagerly when Ferguson asked him if he felt up to playing.
   
   Just as pleasing to the managerial eye had been Phil Neville's
   effective performance in an unfamiliar midfield role. The young
   defender enhanced his World Cup prospects in front of Glenn Hoddle,
   who was at the match, with a demonstration of the versatility the
   England coach prizes, scoring his first goal for United to win the
   game.
   
   "He is mobile, quick and confident enough to play there," Ferguson
   said. "His speed off the mark leaves opponents standing, and he showed
   good composure in taking his goal. He didn't rush it."
   
   Vialli was a subdued, reflective figure after his second League defeat
   in succession. "I thought we played quite well," he said, but his face
   told a different story.
   
   "We did our best, but maybe it wasn't good enough, and we have to do
   better. I can't say we were unlucky because we didn't create enough
   chances.
   
   "Manchester United are the best team in England, but there is still
   second place to play for. That is very important, now that it brings a
   place in the Champions League."
   
   Vialli faced a grilling on his tactics but said he would not sacrifice
   his attacking principles (or presumably his place in the team) by
   switching from 4-3-3 to 4-4-2.
   
   Blackburn ended a barren spell of three League matches without a goal,
   rattling five past Leicester City at Ewood Park, but there were some
   tense closing moments as a 5-0 lead was whittled down to 5-3 with nine
   minutes remaining.
   
   Martin Dahlin scored his first goal since September before Sutton
   helped himself to three goals in 22 minutes. A fifth from Colin Hendry
   just past the hour stung Leicester into action. Stuart Wilson led the
   way on 68 minutes, Muzzy Izzet scored with 10 minutes to go, and then
   within a minute, Robert Ullathorne, who had just arrived on the pitch
   as a substitute, stepped in to close the gap further.
   
   Stan Collymore was inspired by the visit to Villa Park of Liverpool,
   his former club, grabbing a brace as Aston Villa made it one match and
   one win for their new manager, John Gregory. Leeds crashed 1-0 at home
   to Southampton, who had Carlton Palmer sent off, and Dion Dublin
   scored his 18th goal of the season as Coventry won 3-0 at Crystal
   Palace, their seventh successive win in all competitions.

   Copyright 1998 The Times Newspapers Limited. 
            __________________________________________________________

Neville goal stretches United lead to twelve points

   LONDON, Feb 28 (AFP) - England defender Philip Neville playing  
in central midfield took Manchester United twelve points clear of 
the chasing pack in the English Premiership on Saturday morning as 
the champions beat Chelsea 1-0 in a fiery match. 

   It was Neville's first senior goal, and will fuel United with  
confidence ahead of their Champions' League clash with Real Betis on 
Wednesday night. Chelsea, meanwhile slip further into the 
Premiership chasing pack. 

   It was superb interplay involving Denis Irwin, Teddy Sheringham  
and Andy Cole sent the 21-year-old Neville through on Dmitri Kharine 
just after the half-hour of a frantic and bad-tempered clash. 

   The only downside for Ferguson was the sad sight of Gary  
Pallister forced off after aggravating his long-term back problem, 
making the centre-half a real doubt for the trip to Monaco. 

   The Manchester United manager appeared pleased with the result.  

   "The refereee has a hard job to do in this type of game. I don't  
think the referee handled it particularly well. We're in good shape 
at the top of the league but we know we are going into a hard game 
on Wednesday," said Ferguson. 

   With five changes overall, this United side included the return  
of Nicky Butt and Paul Scholes -- the latter having had no chance on 
Wednesday evening -- into the midfield, although the surprise was 
that Butt was on the left, counteracting the threat of Dan 
Petrescu. 

   The biggest danger, however, was one of tempers exploding. Luca  
Vialli had warned his side to be mature and at least Frank Leboeuf 
seemed to be obeying that instruction. 

   But to describe Dennis Wise as a hothead would often be an  
understatement, and the home skipper was the common denominator in 
most of the unsavoury head-to-heads that were to break into more 
nasty conflagrations as the game went on. 

   More worryingly for Ferguson was Pallister's back problem,  
apparent early on as he was caught in possession by Roberto Di 
Matteo, although Scholes got him out of trouble then. 

   Then Gianfranco Zola, starting on the left with licence to roam,  
ghosted past the England man before firing into the crowd and as 
Pallister signalled to the bench, Henning Berg was sent into 
action. 

   But in the 31st minute, after the otherwise subdued Mark Hughes  
had headedover at the other end, United went in front, although few 
other than the real optimists would have put their money on the 
scorer. 

   It was a typical United goal however, swift interpassing finding  
the way through, and Neville's assured low finish made a mockery of 
the fact that he had never found the net before. 

   The goal saw the undercurrents boiling over, Wise and Butt  
continually involved, and both of them -- along with David Beckham 
-- brought to heel by the cards of Steve Dunn. 

   A Vialli shot was deflected onto the bar before Petrescu's run  
and shot brought the first save of the game from Peter Schmeichel, 
although United still had something extra, Cole's explosive pace 
almost creating something out of nothing on half-time. 

   Off-target efforts from Hughes and Wise were symptomatic of  
Chelsea's malaise, a lack of self-belief evident, and United were 
cruising. 

   Chelsea pushed forward in the later stages, Tore Andre Flo  
having replaced player-boss Vialli, but never with any realistic 
hope of finding a way through, Berg and Ronny Johnsen Norwegian 
rocks at the heart of the defence. 

   Ferguson's only gripe was with the officials, the United boss  
racing from his dug-out to confront the linesman when he ruled one 
ball still in play. 

   It summed up United's superiority. Chelsea knew they had been  
well-beaten.
   ______________________________________________________________________

                    Chelsea v Man United 28/02/98 11.15
                                      
   Chelsea                 (0) 0 Man United              (1) 1 FT
                                 P. Neville 31

   Unlikely hero Phil Neville broke his goal duck to give Manchester
   United the perfect Champions' League send-off and kill Chelsea's title
   tilt stone dead.
   
   The England defender was handed an unfamiliar central midfield role as
   Alex Ferguson made five changes from the side knocked out of the FA
   Cup in midweek.
   
   Neville had never scored a senior goal in his career before today,
   snatching at the few opportunities he had been presented with.
   
   But when superb interplay involving Denis Irwin, Teddy Sheringham and
   Andy Cole sent the 21-year-old through on Dmitri Kharine just after
   the half-hour of a frantic and bad-tempered clash, he made no mistake
   to put his side 12 points clear, for a few hours at least.
   
   Keeping his head, Neville drilled right-footed into the bottom corner
   from 12 yards. Kharine was given no chance and Neville set off for the
   celebration routine he perhaps felt would never get demonstrated in
   public.
   
   Not surprisingly, he was mobbed by the corner flag, buried under a
   red-shirted avalanche as United celebrated a moment that pared the
   championship field down to a realistic three.
   
   The only sour note for Ferguson was the sad sight of Gary Pallister
   forced off after aggravating his long-term back problem, making the
   centre-half a real doubt for the trip to Monaco.
   
   But otherwise this was a highly effective and satisfactory morning for
   the champions, always far too good for a Chelsea side which tried to
   beat the rapier with the bludgeon, yet never struck a blow.
   
   That seemed possible from the outset. Whatever Ferguson's
   protestations to the contrary, this was a far more recognisable United
   side than the one which had lost at Barnsley in midweek, more like the
   team which will play in France on Wednesday.
   
   It included the return of Nicky Butt and Paul Scholes - the latter
   having had ``no chance'' on Wednesday evening - into the midfield,
   although the surprise was that Butt was on the left, counteracting the
   threat of Dan Petrescu.
   
   A measure that seemed important in the early stages as the Romanian
   made some dangerous incursions down the right, Gary Neville clearing
   one low cross.
   
   The biggest danger, however, was one of tempers exploding. Luca Vialli
   had warned his side to be ``mature'' and at least Frank Leboeuf seemed
   to be obeying that instruction.
   
   But to describe Dennis Wise as a hothead would often be an
   understatement, and the home skipper was the common denominator in
   most of the unsavoury head-to-heads that were to break into more nasty
   conflagrations as the game went on.
   
   More worryingly for Ferguson was Pallister's back problem, apparent
   early on as he was caught in possession by Roberto Di Matteo, although
   Scholes got him out of trouble then.
   
   Then Gianfranco Zola, starting on the left with licence to roam,
   ghosted past the England man before firing into the crowd and as
   Pallister signalled to the bench, Henning Berg was sent into action.
   
   United had been far the crisper in their passing, and even if this was
   not the one-sided FA Cup mauling of January, they looked the more
   likely.
   
   Cole's persistence almost brought the opener, Kharine blocking, a wall
   of blue shirts preventing Sheringham turning home the rebound, and
   Butt firing the loose ball over.
   
   But in the 31st minute, after the otherwise subdued Mark Hughes had
   headed over at the other end, United went in front, although few other
   than the real optimists would have put their money on the scorer.
   
   It was a typical United goal however, swift interpassing finding the
   way through, and Neville's assured low finish made a mockery of the
   fact that he had never found the net before.
   
   The goal saw the undercurrents boiling over, Wise and Butt continually
   involved, and both of them - along with David Beckham - brought to
   heel by the cards of Steve Dunn.
   
   A Vialli shot - from a seated position - was deflected onto the bar
   before Petrescu's run and shot brought the first save of the game from
   Peter Schmeichel, although United still had something extra, Cole's
   explosive pace almost creating something out of nothing on half-time.
   
   The jet-heeled Cole nearly embarrassed Leboeuf soon afterwards - Zola
   of all people had been booked for a foul on Irwin - and with Chelsea
   falling back on hit and hope, it became increasing hit and hopeless.
   
   Schmeichel was not being tested, Cole always on the point of making a
   decisive contribution, and while the margin was just one, the gap
   seemed much wider.
   
   Scholes volleyed over before a move of real class, Beckham clipping
   onto Sheringham's head and Butt throwing himself at the ball but
   steering just too high, summed up the quality chasm.
   
   Off-target efforts from Hughes and Wise were symptomatic of Chelsea's
   malaise, a lack of self-belief evident, and United were cruising.
   
   Chelsea pushed forward in the later stages, Tore Andre Flo having
   replaced player-boss Vialli, but never with any realistic hope of
   finding a way through, Berg and Ronny Johnsen Norwegian rocks at the
   heart of the defence.
   
   Ferguson's only gripe was with the officials, the United boss racing
   from his dug-out to confront the linesman when he ruled one ball still
   in play.
   
   It summed up United's superiority. Chelsea knew they had been
   well-beaten.
   
   Chelsea: Kharine, Petrescu, Leboeuf, Clarke, Vialli (Flo, 78), Hughes,
   Wise, Duberry, Le Saux, Di Matteo, Zola.
   Subs not used: Hitchcock, Lambourde, Newton, Nicholls.
   Booked: Wise, Zola, Leboeuf.
   
   Man United: Schmeichel, G. Neville, Irwin, Johnsen, Pallister (Berg,
   28), Beckham, Butt, Cole, Sheringham, P. Neville, Scholes.
   Subs not used: Van Der Gouw, McClair, Solskjaer, Thornley.
   Booked: Butt, Beckham, Cole.
   
   Attendance: 34,511.
   Referee: S W Dunn (Bristol).
   ______________________________________________________________________

   Chelsea 0 Manchester United 1

   By Martin Lipton, PA Sport Chief Soccer Writer
   
   Unlikely hero Phil Neville broke his goal duck to give Manchester
   United the perfect Champions' League send-off and kill Chelsea's title
   tilt stone dead.
   
   The England defender was handed an unfamiliar central midfield role as
   Alex Ferguson made five changes from the side knocked out of the FA
   Cup in midweek.
   
   Neville had never scored a senior goal in his career before today,
   snatching at the few opportunities he had been presented with.
   
   But when superb interplay involving Denis Irwin, Teddy Sheringham and
   Andy Cole sent the 21-year-old through on Dmitri Kharine just after
   the half-hour of a frantic and bad-tempered clash, he made no mistake
   to put his side 12 points clear, for a few hours at least.
   
   Keeping his head, Neville drilled right-footed into the bottom corner
   from 12 yards. Kharine was given no chance and Neville set off for the
   celebration routine he perhaps felt would never get demonstrated in
   public.
   
   Not surprisingly, he was mobbed by the corner flag, buried under a
   red-shirted avalanche as United celebrated a moment that pared the
   championship field down to a realistic three.
   
   The only sour note for Ferguson was the sad sight of Gary Pallister
   forced off after aggravating his long-term back problem, making the
   centre-half a real doubt for the trip to Monaco.
   
   But otherwise this was a highly effective and satisfactory morning for
   the champions, always far too good for a Chelsea side which tried to
   beat the rapier with the bludgeon, yet never struck a blow.
   
   That seemed possible from the outset. Whatever Ferguson's
   protestations to the contrary, this was a far more recognisable United
   side than the one which had lost at Barnsley in midweek, more like the
   team which will play in France on Wednesday.
   
   It included the return of Nicky Butt and Paul Scholes - the latter
   having had "no chance" on Wednesday evening - into the midfield,
   although the surprise was that Butt was on the left, counteracting the
   threat of Dan Petrescu.
   
   A measure that seemed important in the early stages as the Romanian
   made some dangerous incursions down the right, Gary Neville clearing
   one low cross.
   
   The biggest danger, however, was one of tempers exploding. Luca Vialli
   had warned his side to be "mature" and at least Frank Leboeuf seemed
   to be obeying that instruction.
   
   But to describe Dennis Wise as a hothead would often be an
   understatement, and the home skipper was the common denominator in
   most of the unsavoury head-to-heads that were to break into more nasty
   conflagrations as the game went on.
   
   More worryingly for Ferguson was Pallister's back problem, apparent
   early on as he was caught in possession by Roberto Di Matteo, although
   Scholes got him out of trouble then.
   
   Then Gianfranco Zola, starting on the left with licence to roam,
   ghosted past the England man before firing into the crowd and as
   Pallister signalled to the bench, Henning Berg was sent into action.
   
   United had been far the crisper in their passing, and even if this was
   not the one-sided FA Cup mauling of January, they looked the more
   likely.
   
   Cole's persistence almost brought the opener, Kharine blocking, a wall
   of blue shirts preventing Sheringham turning home the rebound, and
   Butt firing the loose ball over.
   
   But in the 31st minute, after the otherwise subdued Mark Hughes had
   headed over at the other end, United went in front, although few other
   than the real optimists would have put their money on the scorer.
   
   It was a typical United goal however, swift interpassing finding the
   way through, and Neville's assured low finish made a mockery of the
   fact that he had never found the net before.
   
   The goal saw the undercurrents boiling over, Wise and Butt continually
   involved, and both of them - along with David Beckham - brought to
   heel by the cards of Steve Dunn.
   
   A Vialli shot - from a seated position - was deflected onto the bar
   before Petrescu's run and shot brought the first save of the game from
   Peter Schmeichel, although United still had something extra, Cole's
   explosive pace almost creating something out of nothing on half-time.
   
   The jet-heeled Cole nearly embarrassed Leboeuf soon afterwards - Zola
   of all people had been booked for a foul on Irwin - and with Chelsea
   falling back on hit and hope, it became increasing hit and hopeless.
   
   Schmeichel was not being tested, Cole always on the point of making a
   decisive contribution, and while the margin was just one, the gap
   seemed much wider.
   
   Scholes volleyed over before a move of real class, Beckham clipping
   onto Sheringham's head and Butt throwing himself at the ball but
   steering just too high, summed up the quality chasm.
   
   Off-target efforts from Hughes and Wise were symptomatic of Chelsea's
   malaise, a lack of self-belief evident, and United were cruising.
   
   Chelsea pushed forward in the later stages, Tore Andre Flo having
   replaced player-boss Vialli, but never with any realistic hope of
   finding a way through, Berg and Ronny Johnsen Norwegian rocks at the
   heart of the defence.
   
   Ferguson's only gripe was with the officials, the United boss racing
   from his dug-out to confront the linesman when he ruled one ball still
   in play.
   
   It summed up United's superiority. Chelsea knew they had been
   well-beaten.
   
   © PA Sporting Life
   ______________________________________________________________________
                                      
   NEVILLE'S GOAL WORTH THE WAIT

   Phillip Neville described his first goal in a Manchester United shirt
   as "a great feeling" after the 1-0 win over Chelsea at Stamford
   Bridge.
   
   United have gone 12 points clear at the top of the Premiership before
   this afternoon's matches.
   
   Neville said: "Somebody said that in 93 games I have scored one goal,
   I hope I do not have to wait another 93 games!" he joked on Radio 5
   Live.
   
   "It is a great feeling, especially when you score in such a big game."
   
   Neville admitted that he was getting used to playing in a midfield
   role rather than as a defender.
   
   "It shows the faith the boss has in me especially when you look at the
   people on the bench."
   
   Neville was reluctant to talk about some of the fierce tackles in the
   match.
   
   "There is so much to play for. If you play against the top of the
   table and there are no tackles there is something wrong.
   
   "Off the pitch the players will have a drink. It is just out there
   when you are after each other."
   
   He said that United will be tuned in to the radio on the coach back to
   Manchester.
   
   "We will be listening to the results at Villa Park and Leicester and
   hope we end the weekend with a big lead."
   
   Chelsea boss Gianluca Vialli accepted his side had been well-beaten
   even though only one goal settled the clash with Manchester United at
   Stamford Bridge.
   
   "They're having a great season and can win the Premier League and the
   Champions' League, because they're good enough," said the Italian.
   
   "They're very well prepared mentally and physically, all tuned in and
   can achieve both. They have everything to be a successful team - and
   they're never happy."
   
   © PA Sporting Life


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