Chelsea lose the plot and their composure as foolish bookings mount up

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After starting with some signs of flowing football, Chelsea's frustration at being unable to create chances set in remarkably quickly and it went on to undermine their entire display.

How else could you explain Jose Bosingwa's foolish lunge at Wayne Rooney in the 27th minute which was rightly met with another yellow card?

Chelsea's players should have learnt that referee Howard Webb was in no mood to be lenient following Frank Lampard's fourth-minute booking for a clumsy challenge on Cristiano Ronaldo.

However, Bosingwa and others did not show the intelligence and self-control under pressure to take note. Ricardo Carvalho followed him into the noteboook a minute later and, while there were always going to be some strong tackles in a match between two fierce rivals, the visitors went too far.

Chelsea's reign at the summit of English football in 2005 and 2006 was built upon an ability to keep their composure as well as playing quality football.

They needed both at Old Trafford and yet the more the game went on, the more they seemed to lose the plot. Things got worse after United took the lead with players pointing the finger of blame at each other.

While the home side scored two more goals in the second half, Chelsea only succeeded in picking up two more yellow cards.

Sub Juliano Belletti was made to pay the ultimate price after a shocking foul on Wayne Rooney as United got their third from the free-kick that followed.