Paul Parker Article

Chelsea too strong for United

Sat Nov 07 06:57AM

Match of the weekend: Chelsea v Manchester United

It's the big one and I have to listen to my head, not my heart, when predicting the outcome. Chelsea are simply too strong for United at the moment and I expect them, with home advantage, to take all three points at Stamford Bridge.

Didier Drogba is one of the best strikers in the world and he is in the kind of form to exploit United's current defensive frailties. With Rio Ferdinand out, United need Nemanja Vidic to be strong and match Drogba physically, but that will be no easy task for the Serb.

Chelsea's midfield is equally awesome - Carlo Ancelotti has encouraged Chelsea to abandon the Jose Mourinho way of playing and in doing so he has managed to get the best out of Deco and Michael Ballack. Meanwhile Frank Lampard is still thriving, albeit in his slightly different role. The battle in the centre of the park is crucial and that is where Chelsea can stamp their authority on the game.

For United to get anything from it, they need a matchwinner on the pitch. But, Wayne Rooney apart, they no longer have a player like that. And even Rooney is not firing on all cylinders, as he proved against Blackburn last weekend. United are relying too heavily on him at the moment, and with Chelsea so difficult to break down, while posing a real goal threat the other end, United could well find themselves further behind in the title race come Sunday evening.

Player to watch: Joe Cole

One player who is really enjoying life under Ancelotti is Joe Cole. From the little we have seen of him since his return from injury, he seems to have rediscovered his enthusiasm for the game. Before Ancelotti arrived, Cole was unable to express himself fully but he now has the freedom to be himself. Players love to have a manager who believes in them and their skill - in Ancelotti, Cole has just that. And the timing of his return is great news for England as well as Chelsea. He will certainly be out to impress Fabio Capello at the Bridge on Sunday, with United the ones set to suffer.

Banker of the weekend: Manchester City v Burnley

Burnley have been great at home so far this season - that defeat to Wigan aside - but their away form has been woeful. And even though Eastlands is less than an hour from Turf Moor, they are once again unlikely to travel well this weekend. Their resistance seems to be broken when not at home. Meanwhile, City are more than capable of scoring goals galore, but they have not followed up on that threat over recent weeks. This could be the game where they break free and grab a glut.

Under pressure: Benitez and Brown

Rafa Benitez is clearly a man under pressure at the moment. It's black and white - he and his side simply must win against Birmingham on Monday. Forget about the performance, three points is what counts. He knows it, and so do Liverpool fans.

As for Brown, if his side fail to beat Stoke at home, Hull supporters will be forgiven for thinking their team are on the way down this season. If the Tigers have aspirations of being a Premier League side next season, these are the kind of games they will need to win. If they can't, it may not just be their top flight status on the line - Brown's managerial tenure could also be over. He has been reminded by new chairman Adam Pearson that football is a results-based business and the wrong one on Sunday could well see him out of a job.

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good article.. go chelsea go!!!!
From hakimi_dsg on Sat Nov 07 07:15AM
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Very well article indeed! Man u supporter need to admit it.
From googl on Sat Nov 07 07:22AM
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chelsea is very strong also the rumors of ribery coming in january will make us even stronger with winger like ribery we will have more width that way lamps and joe cole can do thier magic in midfield and droba and anelka scoring the goals .. Chelsea to win the EPL!!!
From joshxd11 on Sat Nov 07 07:22AM
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I wont be surprised if ur chelsea refuses to go cos MANU owns the league.
From bayoxalau on Sat Nov 07 07:25AM
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well said Parker, Surely Chelsea will trash Man u this Sunday.
From googl on Sat Nov 07 07:25AM
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No way 4 chelsea
From bayoxalau on Sat Nov 07 07:26AM
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well said Parker, Surely Chelsea will trash Man u this Sunday.
From googl on Sat Nov 07 07:26AM
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Interesting way of thinking. I however think it is gonna be a draw between Chelsea and United. 1st by the way.
From jrad878 on Sat Nov 07 07:29AM
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I will tend to agree with you Mr Parker , but i would wouldn't i , the Drog has gone into overdrive & Man u to me are lacking that something which they had previous seasons , having said that , it will a tough one tomorrow , this is not the decider for the title obviously , still early , but being at the Bridge i will say a win for us by one goal COME ON YOU BLUE BOYS
From trueblue_12 on Sat Nov 07 07:35AM
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hahahaha..... that's right..... come on chelsea fan... let's support our team....
Chelsea for LIFE!!!!!!!
From jayflizzo on Sat Nov 07 07:41AM
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joe cole is my best player at chelsea......im a liverpool fan though.
From neo_sound81 on Sat Nov 07 08:01AM
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that right parker.....
From jayflizzo on Sat Nov 07 08:10AM
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let me just say simply here that both sides will take a point from the game, chelsea is not as strong as you make it sound, they also have lost two matches thus season and to clubs not in he big four. Ask yourself if you can realy put your money in that. I am an Arsenal fan and I seriously believe that it will be a draw, like i said about arsenal and tottenham, my predictions are like 75% always, unless you are biased in your head. at the end of the day chelsea will add 1 point, manu will also add 1 point and that will give arsenal the chance to level
From sammydbull2004 on Sat Nov 07 08:13AM
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It will finish 1-1.
From justicebuk on Sat Nov 07 08:36AM
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United to win 3-1 !! I would just like to point out that whilst Chelsea have been scoring goals for fun,it doesn't last forever.Form has to take a dip.Whilst United have been playing poorly i admit, we are right on you coat tails!! fact. form and fortunes will turn around shortly. if you Chelski fans believe your team can go all season scoring loads of goals and playing well in every match then you really do need educating. A shock is in store and Sunday could be the day. come on Utd.
From n.gummery on Sat Nov 07 08:39AM
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stubid article really, in matches like this no body can say that (Chelsea too strong for United) or even try to do, who know who will be better, anything can happend there.
so please Mr.Parker go to the kitchen get a knife and kill your self..... stubid people!!!.....
From rocker_932 on Sat Nov 07 08:48AM
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simply this the truth, Chelsea at this time are very strong for united, but football is not a mathematics, let wait and see what will happen after 90minutes.
From octharry on Sat Nov 07 08:48AM
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SHUT UP...LET CHELSEA DO ON PITCH
From aj85553 on Sat Nov 07 08:49AM
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London teams are sh*iiite!!! The NORTH of England is the Center of Football!!! Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Liverpool, Wigan, Liverpool, Everton, Liverpool, Blackburn, Liverpool, Bolton, Liverpool, Birmingham, Liverpool, Aston Villa, Liverpool, Stoke, Liverpool etc etc!!!
Scouse power will cranch Chelski!!! Our neightbours will play better! Wayne Rooney will score!!!
I bet this match is ganna be draw Chelski 2 Manchester Utd 2
Greetings from Kirkdale-Liverpool!!!
From scousebabyliverpool on Sat Nov 07 08:57AM
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ya vidic all he does is to wrestle drogba to the ground and hold his shirt but the refs are just too blind to call it...go chelsea !!!!!
From johntikoypelayo on Sat Nov 07 08:59AM
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United will not try to battle with overcrowded Chelsea midfield. Game will be played on the wings and Chelsea will have to strech their midfield. I dont think it will be one sided game and Chelsea will defenetly win it. I think United have a good chance to upset blues.
From mancunian4ever on Sat Nov 07 09:00AM
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chelsea will hunt the red scum down and bury them...chelsea til idie
From sinbad2457 on Sat Nov 07 09:02AM
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Good article parker,chealsea have an edge over man u.if man u can can take full points at stanford bridge i think it wil be a bonus
From mmidironald on Sat Nov 07 09:03AM
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Parker you're living in cloud cuckoo land. I don't support either team it will either be a draw or Man U will win 1-0. Chelski have been VERY lucky with their goals so far this season and will probably end up in the top 4 but NOT top.
From bdowsett on Sat Nov 07 09:15AM
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I have to admit you're right Parker...but United can win.I believe so.The odds are against them but remember what Liverpool did at Chelsea last season.
From phinehasgiam on Sat Nov 07 09:17AM
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oh dear we're all predicting manu to lose this game.....Fergie will love the underdog tag.
From scottdavisfrance on Sat Nov 07 09:18AM
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I rarely like your writing but this one deserves a compliment. Good one, Paul.
From esaezzatinor on Sat Nov 07 09:23AM
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united is the shittiest team ever
From billiejoearmstrong_greenday2007 on Sat Nov 07 09:30AM
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Excuse me but I cannot find Toys Are Us Bridge, or Smirnoff Pontoon on the London A to Z or is this still being played at a place called Stamford Bridge!!!!! Christ life must be tough when you sell your home`s name to the highest bidder. Has the Russian Mafia leader run out of money and needs to sell Chelseas birthright? UTD TO WIN 2 -1
From cslsz on Sat Nov 07 09:33AM
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With the aggressive play employed by Chelsea plus the superb defense they have applied in pressuring their opponents right now. I believe that Ancelloti change in strategy really work for the team. And I don't see any reason why the Blues will win their game against MU and perhaps the premier league too... Lets Go Blues!!! All the way Chelsea!!!
From luisdever2003 on Sat Nov 07 09:34AM
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