London, Dec 01: Chelsea go top of English premiership beating Manchester United 1-0. A Frank Lampard penalty earned Chelsea a 1-0 victory over champions Manchester United at Stamford Bridge and top slot in the premier league on Sunday (November 30). United skipper Roy Keane brought down Chelsea's attacking midfielder Joe Cole in the area and the penalty was given in spite of his protests to referee Alan WIley. Lampard slotted the ball low to his right and Tim Howard dived the wrong way. Howard did better to block a Mario Melchiot volley and then Cole just had the United 'keeper to beat but he shot way over the bar. Chelsea started the second half with only 10 men because Geremi was changing his boots and came on late. But that didn't stop the pressure on United, whose game was epitomised by Ruud Van Nistelrooy's failure to control a good through ball. Lampard had another crack at goal but Howard dived to parry and the United goalkeeper saved the Reds again when he blocked a Geremi shot shortly before the final whistle.


The victory hoisted Chelsea into top slot on 35 points, one more than Arsenal, who had been held to a surprise 0-0 draw by Fulham at Highbury earlier in the day. United stay third on 31 points.


Bureau Report