RUPIND3R
heaven's got a hitman
Wayne Rooney's first-half goal and two splendid Edwin van der Sar saves make United favourites to win the all-English quarter-final.
Ferguson's side hold the advantage going into second leg at Old Trafford, as Carlo Ancelotti's men see their stoppage time penalty shouts fall on deaf ears at Stamford Bridge
A first half goal from Wayne Rooney gave Manchester United the edge in the all-English Champions League tie with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
Rooney has once again been the centre of attention for the back pages since his foul-mouthed rant after netting his hat-trick against West Ham at the weekend, and the glare of the media's eye was trained firmly on the striker again.
So much so that the milestone reached by Frank Lampard in this game - 500 appearances for the club - were barely mentioned in the build up.
Lampard was keen to force his way centre stage and on 18 minutes he almost did in the best possible fashion, when a slick and incisive passage of play involving Lampard and Ramires resulted in Didier Drogba smashing at shot high at Edwin van der Sar, with the Dutchman proving equal to the effort.
A fantastically long cross-field pass initiated by Michael Carrick was deftly controlled by Ryan Giggs, who sniffed an opening and headed for the byline. The Welshman spotted Rooney, and fed the ball into his path for the striker to beat Petr Cech low to his left with the lightest of touches, which found the net off the foot of post.
This time Rooney maintained enough self-control to celebrate the goal in a manner more palatable for the TV audience. No contorted face, no turning the air blue, only sheer elation and joy as he gave his side a valuable away goal.
Ferguson's side hold the advantage going into second leg at Old Trafford, as Carlo Ancelotti's men see their stoppage time penalty shouts fall on deaf ears at Stamford Bridge
A first half goal from Wayne Rooney gave Manchester United the edge in the all-English Champions League tie with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
Rooney has once again been the centre of attention for the back pages since his foul-mouthed rant after netting his hat-trick against West Ham at the weekend, and the glare of the media's eye was trained firmly on the striker again.
So much so that the milestone reached by Frank Lampard in this game - 500 appearances for the club - were barely mentioned in the build up.
Lampard was keen to force his way centre stage and on 18 minutes he almost did in the best possible fashion, when a slick and incisive passage of play involving Lampard and Ramires resulted in Didier Drogba smashing at shot high at Edwin van der Sar, with the Dutchman proving equal to the effort.
A fantastically long cross-field pass initiated by Michael Carrick was deftly controlled by Ryan Giggs, who sniffed an opening and headed for the byline. The Welshman spotted Rooney, and fed the ball into his path for the striker to beat Petr Cech low to his left with the lightest of touches, which found the net off the foot of post.
This time Rooney maintained enough self-control to celebrate the goal in a manner more palatable for the TV audience. No contorted face, no turning the air blue, only sheer elation and joy as he gave his side a valuable away goal.
