Watch: Manchester United 2 - 1 Chelsea

Manchester United pushed aside Chelsea in their Champions League second leg clash with a 2 - 1 win on the night. Chelsea disappointed on the night, while United excelled in front of a delighted Old Trafford crowd.

Chicharito and Ji Sung Park goals were enough to see off Chelsea as their disgruntled and clearly crushed owner Roman Abramovich watched on with a silent, inner anger as he once again saw his dream of Chelsea lifting the Champions League trophy drift passed. United were just too much, and after Ramieres' sending off, a one man disadvantage gave Chelsea little chance despite getting a goal through Drogba to give them hope.

Fernando Torres started, and, as is becoming routine, he misfired, prompting his substitution at half time. United grabbed their first just before the end of the first half, to double their aggregate lead and set them on their way. Sir Alex Ferguson had made it clear that United wanted to win on the night, and Chicharito's goal through an accurate, low cross from an evergreen Ryan Giggs saw Old Trafford erupt and Ferguson's plans develop.

Chelsea often dominated in the possession stakes and managed more chances in the first half, but they had to wait until the 77th minute for their first goal of he tie. Drogba fired low into the goal past Edwin van der sar and he wheeled away in celebration, temporarily silencing the home crowd. Chelsea were back into the game and into the tie, but they still needed another goal.

Less than a minute late, United streamed down the field, and after a delightful chip over the blue defence to Park, the South Korean finished by smashing the ball into the opposite corner. It was the ultimate response. The response of Champions. European Champions? Possibly. United will be waiting for either Schalke or Inter.

Rooney had an absolute blinder of a game, his passes and his touches were outstanding, and his deep role suited him perfectly, looking more and more like a younger attacking Paul Scholes. Ryan Giggs also played brilliantly, assisting both goals while being assured and calm as always. Michael Carrick continued his form from the first leg, and John O'Shea's clever through ball for Giggs in the build up for the first goal was outstanding.

Bolton Get Sturridge Instead of Vela

There have been some massive transfers this deadline day involving big players, big clubs and big money. This transfer isn't as big as those including Fernando Torres, Luis Suarez or Andy Carroll, but it sees Danny Sturridge of Chelsea joining Bolton Wanderers in a loan deal until the end of the season.

After Chelsea's £50 million signing of Fernando Torres from Liverpool, Sturridge will obviously find it harder than it already has been for him to grab a place in the first team ahead of Drogba, Anelka and now the new Spaniard. A move away which guarantees him games is a great move for the promising young English forward where he can prove his obvious talents ad grow as a player with some decent time on the pitch at an increasingly talented Bolton side.

Bolton had tried to sign the Arsenal striker Carlos Vela, but the Mexican's agent was a big stumbling block for the transfer, and in the end, Vela joined West Brom from Arsenal rather than Bolton. Sturridge is, nevertheless, a big scoop for Bolton.
It seems both parties are very pleased with the transfer. Owen Coyle, the Bolton manager said of his new signing:

"I'm really pleased to have Daniel with us,"

"He's a terrific young talent and one of the most exciting strikers in the country. We're all looking forward to working with him."

While Sturridge, who was linked to a move to Liverpool in a part exchange deal for Torres said:

"I spoke with the manager and he outlined what he hopes to achieve and his plans. It was an easy decision to sign for Bolton Wanderers and I'm looking forward to linking up with the squad on Tuesday."

The 21 year-old also said that Jack Wilshere, the Arsenal midfielder who spent a good spell at Bolton on loan had encouraged him to join the Bolton set up:

"I'm good friends with Jack (Wilshere) and he told me all about the club too. He said how much he had enjoyed his time here and how good the set-up was."

Watch: Tottenham 1 - 1 Chelsea

Tottenham 1 - 0 Chelsea - Pavlyuchenko

Tottenham 1 - 1 Chelsea - Drogba

Lukaku Targeted by Arsenal, Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool

Romelu Lukaku has generated a lot of excitement over his abilities, and at the young age of 17, has already been compared to Chelsea striker Didier Drogba.

He has been linked with major clubs including Real Madrid, Inter Milan, Juventus and Chelsea, and now Arsenal, Manchester United and Liverpool have been added to the list, but according to some sources, Liverpool are "in the driving seat" to sign the player.

The Belgian striker currently plays at Anderlecht, and finished last season as the Belgian Leagues top scorer - at the age of only 16 years and 10 months. Okay, so the Belgian League isn't quite the English Premier League, and the quality may not be any where near as high, but you must be pretty special to be scoring goals for fun at such a young age against players much older and experienced than you.

Rumours in the summer of 2010 suggested that Tottenham had a £17.5 million bid rejected for Lukaku, while Chelsea's Didier Drogba apparently spoke to the Belgian striker and tried to persuade him to join Chelsea.
Real Madrid admitted their interest as manager Jose Mourinho said:

'It is true we wanted Romelu, but he has a very clever dad. He wants Romelu to stay at Anderlecht for one more year. I wish all dads were like this."

While Cristiano Ronaldo was full of praise for the young man:

“He has to make his own choice but I’m sure that he will have a great career.

“At 17 when he is not playing in a major championship, he has managed to make himself known to many people like me. I think that he’s a really fantastic young player.

“I’m curious to see what he will do in the coming months or at the end of the season. But Lukaku is on track; he must continue to work this way.”

Liverpool and the other English clubs certainly have stiff opposition in the competition for the players signature on a contract from top teams from all over the world, but Chelsea seem the team who Lukaku sounds keen to join. On a school trip to Stamford Bridge, he was photographed in a Chelsea shirt and said whilst there:

"I'm very pleased to be here – unfortunately, I didn't meet Drogba. If ever one day I will cry, it will be when I sign for Chelsea."

This player is a genuine talent. Standing at over 6 foot and 3 inches and weighing in at over 14 stone, Lukaku is immensely strong for his age - out muscling the opposition regularly in tussles,while his aerial ability is described as "awesome". He is quick, clever on the ball, intelligent in positioning and has the finishing of an expert. His abilities are vast, while his age is the opposite.

It seems too good to be true.

Liverpool 2 - 0 Chelsea - Terrific Torres too Much for Chelsea

Liverpool defeated the Champions in their best performance of the season which saw Fernando Torres score two brilliant goals to turn the corner for Liverpool to put smiles on every Liverpool fans' faces.

Liverpool started brightly, and with a nice dink over the Chelsea defenders by Dirk Kuyt to Torres, fit or not fit, there would be only one end to this Liverpool attack. He may have miss hit the ball into the ground, but this Spanish striker knows where the goal is, and it past Petr Cech in goal to set Liverpool off.

The second goal came at a great time. Just before half time, Meireles fed in Torres on the left hand side, and after cutting inside onto his right foot, curled a beauty into the top corner of the Chelsea net - nothing Cech could do.
His touch was much improved, and he worked much harder than previous performances this season. The early goal obviously helped his confidence, and he went on to put in a man of the match performance. He was able to lead from the front and set a standard for the rest of the team.

Gerrard was once again exceptional, and Carragher at the back was, as always a fearless defender who put his body on the line to keep Chelsea out. One chance, after a powerful Anelka shot that Reina bearly saved, the ball bounced off of the top of the crossbar, and was about to be met with a tap-in from Didier Drogba. Jamie Carragher however, was in his way, and shepharded the ball back into Reina's hands. Drogba knew the chance was a brilliant one, but he acknowledged too that the defending was brilliant.

The second half was defend, defend, defend from Liverpool who desperatley needed to hold onto their lead. Chelsea wouldn't give up, and created enough chances to score at least one goal. But the resiliant togetherness from Liverpool kept the two goal lead, and the valuable three points.

Liverpool are now up to ninth in the League, and Chelsea only two points ahead of Manchester United. Out of the bottom half, and having just beaten the English Champions, it may be too soon to say that Liverpool are "back", but slowly, and steadily, they are getting there.