How did you miss that, Fernando? Agony for Torres as deadly United march on
Fernando Torres' miserable season reached a new low on Sunday as one of the worst misses in Barclays Premier League history helped Manchester United to a 3-1 win over Chelsea at Old Trafford.
Torres, who had already scored his first goal of the season to give Chelsea hope in the first minute of the second half, rounded United goalkeeper David de Gea in the 83rd minute only to slice his shot into the Stretford End.
TV analyst and Sportsmail columnist Jamie Redknapp said: 'To use a golfing term, it was almost like a yip.
Wayne Rooney also suffered a bizarre miss, falling over while taking a penalty, and Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas said: 'You have to be fair that the best world strikers have both missed great opportunities. It happened to Fernando but it happened to Wayne Rooney, too.
But, yes, a 3-2 score at that period of the game would give us a mental edge for the rest of the match.'
Chris Smalling, Nani and Rooney scored United's goals as one of the most entertaining games of recent times put the champions two points clear at the top after five straight wins - Sir Alex Ferguson's best start to a domestic campaign.
United are now looking menacing as they took advantage of neighbours Manchester City losing a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 at Fulham.
Ferguson said: 'For the neutrals it was fantastic and open. We made things hard for ourselves by giving the ball away so many times. In the first half Chelsea could have scored two or three.
Reckless: Fergie was disappointed with Cole's challenge
Reckless: Fergie was disappointed with Cole's challenge
'But some of our football was terrific in the second half and we should have finished it off, even if we were careless at times.
'We did OK when we got the ball to Nani and Ashley Young. Chelsea could not cope with that.'
Despite Chelsea having the better of the first half, United stormed to a 3-0 lead by the break thanks to an offside Smalling header, a stunning Nani strike and a simple side-foot from Rooney.
Torres' goal soon after the break certainly made things interesting but the second half was also notable for a late challenge in the penalty area by Ashley Cole on Javier Hernandez.
Ferguson said: 'It was a shocking challenge. He's very reckless at times, Ashley Cole. Sometimes he can go over the edge a bit. We will have to see what the damage is in the morning. His leg is very numb. He could be out for a couple of weeks.'
When asked about the incident, Chelsea manager Villas-Boas had a different view. Asked if Cole could have been sent off, he said: 'Maybe he would not get sent off if the linesman does his work [earlier]. Maybe if it is 0-0 Ashley is a bit more in control of the situation.
Fernando Torres unbelievable miss
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