Manchester United 3-1 Chelsea - Villa Boas full post match | English Premier League 2011-12

Manchester United went two points clear at the top of the Premier League after beating Chelsea in a highly eventful encounter at Old Trafford.

The scoreline barely starts to tell the story of a game that was a mixture of madcap moments, missed opportunities and high quality that ended with Sir Alex Ferguson's champions maintaining their 100% league record.

United were three up at half-time with goals from Chris Smalling, Nani and Wayne Rooney as Chelsea contributed to their own downfall courtesy of poor defending and a dismal failure to take the chances that came their way.

Fernando Torres, lively throughout, scored his first goal of the season with a fine finish just after half-time but his improved performance will be scarred by his astonishing late miss at the Stretford End when he shot wide of an open goal after skipping around United goalkeeper David de Gea.

It spared some embarrassment for Rooney, who earlier missed a penalty in farcical circumstances when he slipped haplessly as he ran up to take his kick.

Rooney's misfortune did not prove costly though as United took advantage of another slip-up which came 200 miles away, when neighbours Manchester City blew a two-goal lead at Fulham.

Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas suffered his first defeat since his arrival at Stamford Bridge - and his first league loss since his Academica side went down 3-2 at home to Benfica in Portugal in April 2010. He may take some comfort from the fact Chelsea held their own for long periods but were ultimately let down by moments of weakness at both ends.

United have been devastating when offered opportunities this season. And so it proved when poor marking from Ashley Young's free-kick left Smalling unattended to head powerfully past Petr Cech, although the visitors felt he was offside.

Chelsea were not discouraged by the early setback though and wasted two chances to equalise before the game was taken out of their reach in the closing stages of the first half.

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[Kumle7]

His english is very good, acctually, kudos to that.

[Gostop1891]

Fair play to Chelsea, well played. However - coming to Old Trafford and playing well, guarantees nothing.

[1994cfc]

United = poop

[Gostop1891]

@xxChrisBuckxx Yes. Because it doesn't GUARANTEE anything. Know what that word means? I never said an opposing team CAN'T win. They just usually don't, regardless if they play well or not.

[xxChrisBuckxx]

@Gostop1891 u sed that coming to old trafford and playing well guarantees nothing.

[Gostop1891]

@xxChrisBuckxx What's your point?

[xxChrisBuckxx]

@Gostop1891 Man City 6-1 at old trafford lulz

[deatharhin70]

maaaaastt

[Mart2007]

before the match i remember him saying it doesn't matter if chelsea lose , they are still in the title race , then he moans , havn't chelsea had a lot and i mean a lot of controversial decisions against utd? ie terry goal , drogba offside , penalty at stamford bridge in march etc , so stop crying , not our fault you bought someone who cant score an open goal

[malathamneh]

2:14 u r right 100%

[Mandems96]

all im going to say is

torres 50 million hahahahahha

[wafeeqarsad]

Visiting teams must take full advantage of their chances or else; just like what Chelsea did at Old Trafford. Their movement was excellent but in terms of finishing, it was terrible. But yeah, who cares, Man United FTW!!