Chelsea went down to a strong Manchester United team at Old Trafford this afternoon, leaving the side three league games without a win.

The Blues battled away but were always on the back foot against a United team that had the fortune of key decisions going their way, notably the choice by Mike Dean to send John Mikel Obi off after half an hour, and then award United a penalty in the closing stages.

The game started as it would go on, with the home team on top while Chelsea struggled, missing key players, to come to terms with their opponents, who provided a constant threat.

Within two minutes Petr Cech had shown the very best of himself, stretching and full length, and some, to divert Wayne Rooney's goalbound curling effort around the post, after Ben-Haim had slipped to allow the England man an opening.

Seconds later it was Michael Carrick's chance to make sure the goalkeeper was alert, flicking Rooney's cross on, but in typical fashion Cech was able to hold on comfortably.

It took eight minutes for Chelsea to register our first meaningful effort of Avram Grant's tenure, as Andriy Shevchenko turned inside on to his right foot, but fired narrowly wide of Edwin Van Der Sar's net.

There was then a prolonged period of United pressure, as Rooney buzzed around menacingly and Ronaldo showed glimpses of the form that earned him two player of the year awards last season.

It was another United forward who tested Cech next though, as Tevez fizzed a show low after a quickly taken free kick. The goalkeeper did well to hold it.

Cech would have had little chance with the next shot though. After a poor clearance from Michael Essien, Rooney crossed to Giggs, in space at the far post, but the United captain could only volley over from a tight angle.

Shortly after, with just over half an hour played, disaster struck as Mikel and Evra contended a 50-50, with the Nigerian cleanly winning the ball.

Referee Mike Dean saw something altogether different, and without hesitation, produced a red card for Mikel, who was visibly both puzzled and distraught. There had been little appeal from United's players.

With a man advantage, the home side were able to pile more pressure on to a so far sturdy Blues backline, and from Giggs' free kick, Vidic headed towards goal. United supporters rose to their feet as they anticipated a second goal in as many Premier League games for the Serbian, but Cech was more than equal to it, and falling to his left, held on to the ball.

United's better share of the play, and fortune, eventually paid off in the third minute of first half injury time. The fourth official had only indicated there would be two, but when Giggs' corner eventually came back to him, he deftly crossed with the outside of his left foot, and Tevez was on hand to convert a diving header at Cech's near post.

It was the worst possible timing, and so it was that the quiet Old Trafford crowd was lifted to create a cacophonous noise as the players departed down the tunnel for the break.

The second half began in a similar fashion, with United having more of the ball, and Chelsea trying to win it back, often looking bereft of ideas, particularly going forward.

Giggs had a second opportunity, only slightly different from his earlier one, but the result was the same as he blasted over Cech's bar when he had both the time and space to pick his spot.

To freshen things up, Grant replaced Shevchenko with Kalou, and then Malouda with Wright-Phillips as we operated a flat 4-4-1, but there still appeared little sign of a breakthrough.

After 74 minutes Ashley Cole reached the byline for the first time, pulling back for Wright-Phillips to tee up for Essien, but the Ghanaian's half volley was a yard over. It did though show we weren't buried yet, and Grant subsequently gave his last throw of the dice, bringing on Pizarro for Joe Cole, who had just been booked for a lunge on Ronaldo.

Frustrations had started to show, and Terry was the second Blue to see yellow, diving in on Rooney 30 yards out.

Ronaldo, by now in full flow, struck a powerful shot that bounced wickedly in front of Cech. The Czech number one did well to hold on.

For the last ten minutes the tide had begun to turn, as Chelsea started to turn hard work into territorial gain, but that slice of luck and composure for the final ball was elusive.

To add salt to the wound, Uniteds were awarded a penalty two minutes from time when Saha tumbled under a challenge from Ben-Haim. Again, without hesitation Dean pointed to the spot, despite replays showing minimal contact.

The Frenchman tucked away the penalty, straight down the middle as Cech dived to his left.

A spirited Blues display, in the hardest of circumstances, had produced no luck and no points, leaving new manager Grant plenty to think about ahead of Wednesday's trip to Hull.

To see highlights of the game, you can visit Chelsea TV Online, or for the full 90 minutes, you can tune in to Chelsea TV, both from midnight tonight.


Man United (4-4-2) Van Der Sar; Brown, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra; Ronaldo, Carrick, Scholes, Giggs (c); Rooney; Tevez (Saha 78).

Goals Tevez 45+2, Saha (pen) 88
Booked Rooney, Brown

Chelsea (4-3-3): Cech; Ferreira, Ben-Haim, Terry (c), A Cole; Essien, Makelele, Essien, Mikel; J Cole (Pizarro 75), Shevchenko (Kalou 59), Malouda (Wright-Phillips 68).

Goals
Booked J Cole, Terry
Sent Off Mikel

By Andy Jones