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Chelsea 1 Manchester U 0:ALEX FERGUSON and Carlo Ancelotti linked arms as they meandered towards the dug-out before kick-off. That bonhomie may be doomed if Manchester United go on suffering at the hands of the Italian’s Chelsea side. It was the sort of grinding, unsatisfactory match that often develops when leading teams meet, but the Italian prevailed.

With justification, Ferguson, bemoaned the 76th minute winner, complaining about Martin Atkinson’s award of the free-kick for a supposed foul by the outstanding Darren Fletcher on Ashley Cole. The manager had recriminations left over for a protest that Didier Drogba had been offside as John Terry headed in the Frank Lampard set-piece.