FA Barclays Premiership
Manchester United 1
Chelsea 0
Sunday 6 November, Old Trafford

Victory over Chelsea. After last weekend's defeat to Middlesbrough and Wednesday's loss to Lille, it seemed fanciful to even flirt with the thought. But United raised their game and summoned every ounce of effort, determination and belief to achieve exactly that thanks to Darren Fletcher's first-half header in an epic encounter at Old Trafford.

The 1-0 win ends Chelsea's 40-match unbeaten run and hauls United back to ten points behind Jose Mourinho's men with a game in hand. The gap remains a big ask for Ferguson's players to close. But confidence and momentum are crucial factors in football, and this victory will hopefully instill plenty of both.

Sir Alex spoke before the game about the need for a repeat of the gritty display that saw United defeat Arsenal at Old Trafford a year ago. That was exactly what the Reds had to, and did, produce.

Old Trafford was buzzing for the arrival of Chelsea, and it was the Reds grabbed the game by the throat right from the off.

Ronaldo, playing on the left flank, claimed the first shot on goal, sending an ambitious shot over the bar from 30 yards. The Portuguese winger then twice had a go at Chelsea right-back Paulo Ferreira, beating his fellow countryman for pace on both occasions. Unfortunately, on his second advance down the wing, his cross was too deep.

The atmosphere continued to bubble with boths sets of fans vocal in their support.

Chelsea were next to attack, Lampard's long ball forward finding Didier Drogba in the both. His attempted lob was stopped relatively easily by Edwin van der Sar.

A couple of Wayne Rooney corners brought no reward for United, while a Damien Duff free kick almost found the advancing Del Horno at the back post.

After 20 minutes Rooney and Paul Scholes combined to produce the games best chance. Rooney raced onto Mikael Silvestre's into the channels down the left. Rooney's wonderful vision allowed him to pick out Scholes on the edge of the box when it seemed he would aim for van Nistelrooy in the penalty area. Scholes struck his shot agonisingly close with a half volley.

If Sir Alex and United's supporters were hoping for the right reaction to a damaging week that saw defeat to Middlesbrough and Lille it certainly early on. United's attitude and work ethic was spot on.

And the Reds got the goal they justly deserved. Ronaldo's quick turn on the left sent Del Horno complete the wrong way. His deep cross found Darren Fletcher at the far post. The Scottish midfielder's looping header eluded Petr Cech and John Terry a the far post.

A lot is expected of Fletcher, still only 21, playing in a midfield missing Roy Keane. It has been a tough season for the youngster, but a goal maybe the boost he needs to allow his potential to flourish.

Drogba continued to pose a threat, his pace allows the likes of Joe Cole and Frank Lampard to play the ball in behind defenders. But Silvestre and Ferdinand dealt with the threat of the Ivory Coast striker with relative easy during a pleasing opening 45 minutes for United.

Sir Alex's side could, and should, have extended their lead nine minutes into the second half. A brilliantly worked move started with Rooney on the edge of the box. The 20-year-old forward chipped the ball over Del Horno to Darren Fletcher at the far post, whose first time ball found van Nistelrooy. However, the Dutchman got under the shot and put the ball over the bar.

Chelsea went bizarrely close two minutes later. First Damien Duff missed the cross from Eidur Gudjohnsen, on for Essien, then Drogba's shot was blocked by O'Shea. Drogba, still on the floor from O'Shea's challenge then managed to hook the ball goalwards, but O'Shea again got in the way and sent the ball wide.

Then came a flurry of bookings; Drogba, Ferreira, Smith, Ronaldo and Fletcher were all booked as Chelsea's desperation for an equaliser and United's staunch defending produced tug-of-war hold on this match.

United defended valiantly, Smith, Fletcher and Ferdinand all throwing themselves in front of shots and clearing corners, whilst Ronaldo continued to threaten as an outlet for the home side. Indeed, Ferreira was booked for a foul on Ronaldo.

The 1-0 lead, a frustration with Graham Poll's overzealous officiating, and the determined attitude of United's players brought about a defiance in the team's performance. The effect was evident among the supporters. The atmosphere in the second half was as vociferous as it has been for some time at Old Trafford.

Rooney could have wrapped it up for United on 83 minutes. Substitute, Ji-sung Park challenged Ferreira and Terry with the ball falling to the United forward on the edge of the box. Rooney aimed for the bottom right corner but Ferreira managed to position himself right in front of his shot.

Cue the nervous final stages. Any Chelsea foray forward became nail-biting time for every Red, and any scuffed shot, mishit free-kick or raised linesman flag was met with delerious joy by United's fans. The four minutes of added was greeted less favourably. But United held out; the perfect way for Sir Alex to celebrate 19 years in charge.

Team Line-ups

United: Van der Sar, Brown, Ferdinand, Silvestre, O'Shea, Fletcher, Smith, Scholes, Ronaldo, Rooney, van Nistelrooy (c) (Park, 82).
Subs not used: Howard, Richardson, Rossi, Park, Bardsley.

Chelsea: Cech, Ferreira, Gallas, Terry (c), Del Horno (C. Cole, 79), Cole (Wright-Phillips, 75), Essien (Gudjohnsen, 55), Makelele, Lampard, Duff, Drogba.
Subs not used: Cudicini, Carvalho.

Report by Ben Hibbs at Old Trafford.