Chelsea reclaimed pole position in the Barclays Premier League title race with a 2-1 victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford.
The hosts went into the clash without the injured Wayne Rooney but with a one-point advantage at the top of the table. However, they fell behind in the 20th minute when Joe Cole flicked in Florent Malouda’s pull-back. United improved after half-time but found themselves two down with 11 minutes left as substitute Didier Drogba slammed the ball past Edwin van der Sar, although replays showed the striker was clearly offside as he collected Salomon Kalou’s pass.
Sir Alex Ferguson blasted the match officials after Manchester United‘s 2-1 defeat by Chelsea, which gave Carlo Ancelotti’s side the advantage in the Premier League title race. Joe Cole put the visitors ahead but it was Didier Drogba’s goal 11 minutes from time that left Ferguson fuming, with replays showing the striker was clearly offside.
The United boss told Sky Sports 1: “What I can’t understand is the linesman’s directly in front of it. He has no-one near him and he gets it wrong.
AFTER their victory at Old Trafford, Chelsea‘s title odds have been cut from 11/8 to 8/13 favourites, with Manchester United out from 10/11 to 9/4, with Arsenal offered at 9/2.’Although Chelsea’s win was by no means a conclusive title winner, it certainly turned the betting on its head’ said Hill’s spokesman Graham Sharpe.
Hills offer 66/1 that there will be a triple points dead heat in the title race and 4/1 that goal difference will be needed to sort out who wins the title.
WILLIAM HILL…TITLE STRAIGHT FORECASTS…13/8 Chelsea- Man U; 9/4 Chelsea- Arsenal; 3/1 Man U- Chelsea; 8/1 Arsenal- Chelsea; 10/1 Arsenal- Man U; 12/1 Man U- Arsenal.
Saturdays Premier League results….
Man United 1 Chelsea 2
Arsenal 1 Wolves 0
Burnley 1 Manchester City 6
Sunderland 3 Tottenham 1
Bolton 0 Aston Villa 1
Stoke 2 Hull 0
Portsmouth 0 Blackburn 0
Get a £25 Free Bet from William Hill….
WILLIAM HILL have opened a book on when Man U will next win a game in the current absence of Wayne Rooney, and they make United 50/1 to fail to win ANY of their next five games. ‘There are plenty of people who believe United have almost been a one man team this season. This spell without Rooney will test that theory’ said Hill’s spokesman Graham Sharpe.
When will Man Utd next win a match without Wayne Rooney? (90m play):
Bayern Munich H….8/13
Blackburn A…..5/2
Man City A…..8/1
Champions League semi final 1st leg…16/1
Tottenham H…..20/1
To win NONE of these games: 50/1
WHEN WILL WAYNE COME BACK?
WILLIAM HILL offer 13/8 that Wayne Rooney will first return for Man U in their derby match against Manchester City, but have cut him from 50/1 to 40/1 not to play any part in their games for the remainder of the season. ‘Wayne was notably missed against Chelsea and the temptation may be to rush him back if United begin to under-achieve without him’ said Hill’s spokesman Graham Sharpe.
Bayern Munich H…7/1
Blackburn A…15/8
Man City A…13/8
Champions League Semi Final… 1st Leg 9/2
Tottenham…. H9/1
Champions League Semi Final 2nd Leg…16/1
Sunderland …A25/1
Stoke H…40/1
Champions League Final – 50/1
None of the above ….40/1
WILL JOE COLE GET ON PLANE TO WORLD CUP?
WILLIAM HILL have cut Joe Cole from 7/4 to 5/4 to make it into England’s World Cup squad – and he’s now 2/1 to start the first game. ‘Joe Cole may have timed his return to form to perfection to claw his way into the England squad’ said Hill’s spokesman Graham Sharpe,
William Hill…..Joe Cole to make the final World Cup 2010 squad:
4/7 No
5/4 Yes
Wm Hill….Joe Cole to start England’s 1st world cup 2010 game:
4/11 No
2/1 Yes
