Man United starting XI- Van der Sar, Rafael Da Silva, Vidic, Ferdinand, Evra, Valencia, Carrick, Giggs, Park, Hernandez, Rooney.
Subs: Kuszczak, Berbatov, Smalling, Nani, Scholes, Evans, Gibson.
Chelsea nearly had an early goal with a chance for Fernando Torres who nearly got on the end of a cross in by Jose Bosingwa but he was just beaten to the ball by Rio Ferdinand. That was followed by a late challenge by Michael Essien on Wayne Rooney. No yellow card was shown but Rooney was able to continue.
Park had shot from the edge of the box was deflected behind for a corner, the resulting corner was rolled to Rooney by Ryan Giggs but Chelsea cleared before the ball got to Rooney. Chelsea did have their own chances, one of which was a shot from Didier Drogba, which was tipped over by Edwin Van Der Sar.
Man United took the lead in the 24th minute. A brilliant pass by Carrick to Giggs, who picked out Rooney who's shot went in off the back post.
Half an hour in, Chelsea started to put some pressure on the Man United goal. Yuri Zhirkov's cross in was completely miss-kicked by Torres. That was then followed by a good cross into the area by Bosingwa but Rafael Da Silva was there to turn the ball behind for a corner.
United nearly had a second goal after the ball was chipped to Javier Hernandez, who was so close to making contact, which would have been a goal.
The final two minutes of the first half was all Chelsea. Drogba's cross in was flicked on by Torres, the ball hit the post, rebounded straight to Frank Lampard, who's shot was cleared off the line by Patrice Evra.
Second half and Manchester United's first substitution was in-forced after Rafael went down after a challenge by Drogba. Rafael received treatment and did return to the field for a few minutes but he was unable to continue and was stretchered off. Luis Nani was immediately brought on.
Rooney did have the ball in the back of the net again in the 54th minute but Hernandez was judged to be offside in the build-up.
Chelsea escaped again after the ball was crossed into the area by Nani, keeper Petr Cech just managed to a touch on the ball and push it behind Hernandez, who was there ready to score. Chelsea came close a few times, the first was a powerful effort from Essien but the ball fell wide of the post. Torres also had an opportunity but his looping header was clawed away by Van Der Sar.
Sir Alex Ferguson's second substitution was to bring on Dimitar Berbatov, who replaced Hernandez.
The final 10 minutes saw Van Der Sar booked for time wasting. Branislav Ivanovic had a shot saved by Van Der Sar. Nani almost had a chance but the ball was smothered at his feet by Cech.
Chelsea could have been awarded a penalty in added time after Patrice Evra brought Ramires down in the area but the referee waved away the appeals.
Man United held on to the win and go into the second leg with a 1-0 lead, which is a very important away goal.
OMG great result from the boys today, had to record the game and watch later a complete bundle of nerves for about oh 6 hrs now. Rooney's goal was just brilliant, a great pass by Carrick great take/first touch by Giggs and a great cut back to Rooney who slotted it in off the post. There were plenty of scares at the other end in this though as Torres hit the post Lampard had a shot cleared off of the line, VDS saved superbly in 2nd half from Torres and yes he still hasnt scored for Chelsea lol. Shoulda, coulda but wasnt a penalty at end with a challenge from Evra on Ramires but ref waved it away and Torres got booked moments later for an alleged dive which i agree with.
Great result and i can really see us going through but still a lot to do at Old Trafford on Tuesday, i for one cant wait but it means i will be a bundle of nerves again for 6+ hours lol. Well worth it though if we get the result.