20/04/2002  Chelsea 0 Man Utd 3
 
With a display epitomising champions whose crown will have 
to be wrenched from their grasp, Manchester United served 
notice at Stamford Bridge that they will not go down without a 
fight.

Arsenal may yet be title favourites but Sir Alex Ferguson's 
side were in commanding form as they moved - albeit 
temporarily - back to the top of the table.

Commanding at the back, dominant in midfield and decisive 
on the break, United ruthlessly swept aside a Chelsea side 
which had previously suffered just two league defeats since 
New Year's Day.

A 30-yard drive by Paul Scholes and yet another strike from 
Ruud van Nistelrooy, who was only denied a hat-trick by the 
brilliance of Chelsea keeper Carlo Cudicini, provided only a 
hint of their superiority.

But when Ole Gunnar Solskjaer rounded off the scoring late 
on, it ensured full revenge was exacted for their 3-0 home 
defeat by Chelsea back in December.

While this result effectively ended any realistic hopes 
Chelsea still have of qualifying for the Champions League, it 
also ensured Arsenal cannot rest on their laurels just 
yet.

By the time Arsene Wenger tuned in at half-time, the match 
had been won at a canter as Ferguson fielded virtually his 
strongest possible side despite an imminent Champions League 
semi-final against Bayer Leverkusen.

As an extra plus - providing Sven-Goran Eriksson was not 
watching Ulrika Jonsson, who was sitting separately in the 
directors' box - he would have been heartened to see the 
impressive return of Wes Brown.

The emerging defender, who retains outside hopes of a World 
Cup place, last started a game when United lost at home to 
Chelsea and their title hopes already looked effectively 
over.

They are still outsiders as they have played two more games 
than Arsenal and only lead them by a point, but writing off 
this United side is a perilous business.

Ferguson had been criticised on the eve of the game by 
former keeper Mark Bosnich for supposedly "negligible tactical 
prowess", but those employed against Chelsea worked to 
perfection.

With van Nistelrooy as the spearhead, Ryan Giggs roamed in 
behind him with menace, finding enough space to attack Chelsea 
at pace.

Solskjaer was on the right flank, with Quinton Fortune on 
the left, but the Norwegian roamed inside whenever the 
opportunity arose and Chelsea were constantly being caught 
square at the back.

When Jesper Gronkjaer brought down van Nistelrooy in full 
flight on the counter-attack, there appeared little immediate 
danger from the visitors' free-kick wide out on the right 
flank.

However, Giggs rolled the ball across the face of the 
penalty area to Scholes, whose superb first-time drive 
deflected into the far corner from almost 30 yards out. 
Chelsea were rocked on their heels, but at least they were 
spared further punishment when Cudicini denied van Nistelrooy 
from virtual point-blank range after the offside trap had been 
breached.

With Solskjaer firing another effort just wide, a snap-shot 
from Frank Lampard provided only temporary relief as United 
resumed their stranglehold.

After van Nistelrooy came close again, he was not to be 
denied a third time as Giggs combined with Solskjaer, who 
slipped the ball through to the Dutchman just as Terry rashly 
committed himself.

Van Nistelrooy jinked past Cudicini and rolled the ball 
into the open net, with Ferguson celebrating wildly on the 
touchline as he prepared to send on Phil Neville to replace 
the injured Fortune.

Ranieri's half-time response was to replace Eidur 
Gudjohnsen, who looked to have picked up a knock just before 
the break, with winger Boudewijn Zenden.

However, Chelsea lacked rhythm or penetration and found 
their route to goal blocked not only by the combative Nicky 
Butt, but also by the commanding figures of Brown and Laurent 
Blanc.

United continued to threaten on the break, with only 
Cudicini's reactions saving his side from further punishment 
as he produced a fine double save from Giggs and van 
Nistelrooy.

His one-man rearguard action could not last forever. With 
just four minutes left, Van Nistelrooy demonstrated his 
exemplary work-rate as he strode forward to slip a pass inside 
to Giggs, who crossed for Solskjaer to slot the ball in at the 
far post.

It was not only a victory but a statement of intent.