Kalou keeps Chelsea's home record intact with late equaliser
Park put United in front in the first half
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Chelsea manager Luiz Felipe Scolari has increased the intensity of the rivalry between Chelsea and Manchester United by suggesting he wants to sign Cristiano Ronaldo. |  |
Sunday, 21, Sep 2008 09:00
A goal from Salomon Kalou ten minutes from time gave Chelsea a 1-1 draw with Manchester United at Stamford Bridge.
Ji Sung-Park's goal in the first half was cancelled out by Kalou's header after Wayne Rooney had needlessly given away a free-kick.
It means Chelsea have yet to taste defeat at home since losing 2-1 to Arsenal in February 2004 when Claudio Ranieri was in charge.
The Blues were dealt an early blow when Deco was injured in the warm-up and was replaced by Michael Ballack, while Sir Alex Ferguson left Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez on the bench.
After a below-par start to the season, United made an explosive start against the Blues and could have gone three goals up.
Darren Fletcher hooked a shot towards goal inches wide from Owen Hargreaves' cross while Petr Cech produced a stunning save to keep out Rio Ferdinand's drive.
The Blues' best chance early on fell to Joe Cole who scuffed a shot wide from 18 yards after a mistake from Patrice Evra.
Scolari was forced into an early change when Ricardo Carvalho limped off with ligament damage and was replaced by Alex.
And Chelsea's afternoon got worse on 17 minutes when Cech could only parry Dimitar Berbatov's shot allowing Park to slide in the rebound from ten yards.
The home side felt they should have had a penalty when an onrushing van der Sar collided into Florent Malouda. Referee Mike Riley waved away their appeals but the collision forced the Dutch keeper off and Thomas Kuszczak came on in his place.
Kuszczak was kept busy in the remainder of the half, making saves to deny Alex and Ballack to keep United in front.
With his side second best in the opening period, Scolari brought on Didier Drogba for Malouda.
Ferguson brought on Ronaldo for Scholes, but Chelsea were the better side with winger Cole firing straight at Kuszczak when through on goal.
Anelka then spurned a glorious opportunity when he missed the ball from three yards out while Ballack curled a shot wide before the German was replaced by Kalou.
The deadlock was finally broken on 79 minutes when Rooney was booked for fouling Cole with Kalou nodding in Jon Obi Mikel's free-kick.
Kalou came close to snatching a winner minutes later but was denied by a block from Neville, as United clung on to come away with a point.
The result means United trail leaders Arsenal by seven points but have a game-in-hand.