Chelsea draw a relief for Van der Sar
Saturday, October 16, 2010
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Chelsea FC failed to profit fully after a rare slip from goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar meant Manchester United FC surprisingly dropped two points at home against West Bromwich Albion FC.
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A 0-0 draw at Villa Park provided an anticlimactic end to the day's English action, with Premier League leaders Chelsea FC unable to find a way past Aston Villa FC when a win would have left Carlo Ancelotti's Blues seven points ahead of the chasing pack.
Both sides hit the post, but could provide nothing more dramatic than the Edwin van der Sar fumble that cost Manchester United FC two points at home against West Bromwich Albion FC. With Wayne Rooney starting on the bench, efforts from Javier Hernández and Nani put United 2-0 up on 25 minutes. But within five minutes of Patrice Evra diverting a Chris Brunt free-kick into his own net early in the second half, the Dutch No1 dropped a cross at the feet of Somen Tchoyi, who gladly closed the scoring a 2-2.
Marouane Chamakh's 47th-minute individual effort concluded Arsenal FC's 2-1 comeback success against Birmingham City FC, while fellow UEFA Champions League contenders Tottenham Hotspur FC turned things around in similar fashion at Fulham FC, Tom Huddlestone's drive making it 2-1. Arsenal and Spurs thus joined United and Manchester City FC on 14 points, five behind Chelsea. City play Blackpool FC on Sunday when Everton and Liverpool FC are matched.