Chelsea 0-0 Manchester United: Red Devils dominate but can't break down Chelsea

Manchester United dominated the opening half without reward at Stamford Bridge.

But despite their superiority, United failed to seriously test Petr Cech in the Chelsea goal.

The closest Chelsea came to breaking the deadlock was a curling shot from Nicolas Anelka which forced Edwin van der Sar into a flying one-handed save.

Centre-back Ricardo Carvalho returned to partner John Terry in the centre of Chelsea's defence against Manchester United.

Deco was preferred to Joe Cole at the front of the midfield diamond, while Branislav Ivanovic continued at right-back and Ashley Cole was at left-back after missing the last two league games through injury.

Nicolas Anelka and Michael Ballack both returned after being left out of the starting line-up for the 2-2 draw against Atletico Madrid in midweek.

Dimitar Berbatov was omitted from United's side, as was defender Nemanja Vidic.

The Bulgaria striker had not recovered from the knock that kept him out of midweek Champions League action and the Serbia centre-back was relegated to the bench.

The minute's silence on Remembrance Day at Stamford Bridge was immaculately observed by both sets of fans before the action got underway.

United, without Nemanja Vidic or Rio Ferdinand in defence, made the brighter start in terms of possession.

But it was the home side who created the first goal attempt when Branislav Ivanovic burst down the right flank and let fly with a left-foot shot which Edwin van der Sar did well to hold at the near post.

In the 10th minute, United responded when Wayne Rooney collected a pass from Patrice Evra and fired into the side-netting from the angle of the six-yard box.

Chelsea were struggling to settle into the game and most of the action was confined to the home side's half.

United were far more comfortable on the ball with the home side given little time to build from the back.

But a long cross from Michael in the 18th minute found the lurking Didier Drogba on the edge of the six-yard box but the Ivory Coast striker failed to direct his header on target.

United, despite their dominance, had not created a clear cut chance. Antonio Valencia missed with a 25-yard effort in the 20th minute as Chelsea continued to restrict Sir Alex Ferguson's side to long-range shots.

In the 23rd minute, Chelsea won a free-kick but Lampard wasted the chance to test the United defence when he sent his curling effort beyond the far post.

Drogba was fouled by West Brown in the 27th minute in a central position some 25 yards from goal.

It was another chance for the home side but again Lampard's free-kick was poor as he sent his effort straight into United's defensive wall.

Moments later Anelka tried to beat Van der Sar from fully 35 yards but the United keeper dealt with it comfortably.

On the half hour, Darren Fletcher, who had been at the heart of United's best moves, fed Ryan Giggs on the edge of the Chelsea penalty area but the winger sent his volley over the crossbar.

It was a difficult chance for Giggs but a clear warning to Chelsea. Moments later Michael Carrick tried to beat Petr Cech from 20 yards but it did not have the power or precision to beat the home keeper.

But it was Van der Sar who was tested next when made a one-handed save to keep out a curling shot from Anelka in the 32nd minute.

In the 39th minute a collision between Ashley Cole and Terry left the Chelsea captain on the floor in pain.

But with England boss Fabio Capello watching from the stands, Terry was allowed to continue after treatment.

A quick counter attack from Chelsea saw Anelka put Deco free on the right flank but his cross eluded Ballack before arriving at the feet of Drogba.

The Ivory Coast striker was unable to control the ball and it ran harmlessly into the arms of Van der Sar.

Drogba then broke into the penalty from the right flank but his angled drive ended in the upper tier of the stand as referee Martin Atkinson brought proceedings to a finish for the opening period.