<img src="http://imgnews.naver.com/image/139/2008/09/22/SK00701_20080922_160101.jpg">
[스포탈코리아=런던] 김동환 기자= 첼시를 상대로 시즌 1호 골을 터트리며 2004년 2월 이후 4년이 넘게 이어져오던 '스탬포드 브릿지' 무패 신화를 위기에 몰아넣었던 박지성(27, 맨체스터 유나이티드)이 경기 MVP인 '맨 오브 더 매치(Man of the match)'에 선정됐다.

올 시즌 첫 리그 경기 출전을 첼시를 상대로 달성한 박지성은 전반 18분 디미타르 베르바토프의 슛을 첼시 골키퍼 페트르 체흐가 막으며 튕겨 나온 공을 날렵하게 달려들어 골로 마무리하며 팀에 선제골을 선사했다. 비록 종료 10분을 남기고 첼시의 살로몬 칼루가 동점 헤딩 골을 넣으며 경기는 1-1 무승부로 끝났지만 프리미어리그 사무국과 주관 방송사인 <스카이스포츠>는 이날 경기의 주인공으로 박지성을 선택했다.

경기의 향방을 뒤흔든 득점 이외에도 공수를 아우르는 활발한 움직임과 활력 넘치는 플레이로 스탬포드 브릿지 원정의 부담을 떨쳐낸 박지성의 경기 내용까지 높이 산 것이다. '맨 오브 더 매치'에 선정된 박지성은 부상으로 기념 샴페인을 받았고 경기 후 공식 인터뷰에도 나서 유럽 진출 후 쌓아 온 영어 실력을 유감 없이 발휘하기도 했다.

지난 비야레알전에서도 다이나믹한 움직임으로 맨유 팬들이 선정한 경기 MVP에 뽑혔던 박지성은 두 경기 연속 맹활약을 펼치며 부상 복귀 후 주전 경쟁에서 청신호를 켰다.

사진= 첼시를 상대로 시즌 1호골을 뽑아낸 박지성 ⓒGettyimages/멀티비츠/스포탈코리아/나비뉴스 ]
<p>[Chelsea]

Petr Cech - 5: Managed to save Ferdinand’s early chance, but was at fault along with Bosingwa for United’s goal. Fumbled Berbatov’s shot, allowing Park to slot home the rebound and hand the visitors an import!ant lead.

Jose Bosingwa - 5: Always a threat in attack whenever he plays, but Bosingwa will be looking back with disappointment in the part he played in Park’s goal. After initially being in a good position, the Portuguese international allowed Evra to out-muscle him and get in behind, eventually leading to a goal.

Ricardo Carvalho – n/a: Was replaced by Alex just ten minutes into the match after picking up a knee injury.

John Terry - 7: After a controversial week of build-up, Terry started the game and captained his side. Didn’t have too much to do throughout the game but did not make any defensive mistakes when he was called upon. Had one excellent charge up the field in the first half, but needs to be a bit more careful in possession at times.

Ashley Cole - 7: Cole played well. United did not get much going in an attacking sense down their right and Cole supported his side’s attacks well, making a few import!ant passes and impressing with some neat touches.

Joe Cole – 7: Drifted in and out of proceedings, but was a threat when he got involved. Some excellent crosses in the second half, one of which seemed to hand Anelka an equalising goal on a plate, but the Frenchman could not covert the chance.

Michael Ballack - 7: A good performance from Ballack, especially when you consider he is not fully match fit at the moment. Regularly in possession trying to force an opening for the home side and was an excellent physical presence in midfield. Came close with two long-range efforts.

John Obi Mikel - 7: Shielded the back four well throughout the ninety minutes, but had been quiet on the ball up until the point where his excellent free-kick was headed into the net by substitute Kalou.

Frank Lampard - 6: Came into the game off the back of some excellent recent performances, but couldn’t really get into this match as much as he would have liked to. Was still neat and tidy in possession though, and continues to be key for Chelsea.

Florent Malouda - 5: Threatened to get in behind the United defence on two occasions with his pace, but did not see enough of the ball to stamp his authority on the game. Sacrificed for the arrival of Didier Drogba at the start of the second-half.

Nicolas Anelka – 5: Anelka came into the game on good form and started positively, consistently getting himself into good positions. Had quite a few chances throughout the game that he failed to take however, and missed a golden opportunity from Joe Cole’s cross after the interval.

Substitutions:

Alex – 8: On for Carvalho after just ten minutes, Alex ensured that the Portuguese international was not missed. Defended superbly throughout the game, making some crucial interceptions and gutsy blocks. Drogba - 6: Came on seconds after half-time and United struggled to cope with his physical presence at times. More to come from him as he plays more games as he returns from injury. Kalou – 8: An excellent substitution from Scolari. Ghosted in unmarked to head home an equaliser and was a real threat to the United defence with his pace and direct running.

[Manchester United]

Edwin van der Sar - 5: Did not concede a goal, but was not entirely convincing. Flapped at a corner and spilt a long range shot before being replaced by Kuszczak after 40 minutes having being hurt in a collision with Malouda.

Gary Neville – 6: A battling display from Neville. Still working his way back from a long absence through injury and was put under immense pressure by Chelsea at times in the second half. He generally coped well, although was found out for a lack of pace on a couple of occasions.

Rio Ferdinand – 7: The experienced Ferdinand defended well again and guided the youngster Evans through the ninety minutes. Broke forward in the first half and came so close to scoring after being set up by Rooney, but was denied by Cech.

Jonny Evans - 7: Some people may have been surprised by Evans’ selection over Wes Brown, but the Northern Ireland international was not overawed by the magnitude of the game and showed signs that he is a good defensive prospect. Strong in the challenge and well organised positionally.

Patrice Evra – 8: Some excellent play from Evra to create Park’s goal. Was set free by Rooney after a run which had carried him for half of the pitch. He then muscled out Bosingwa before cutting the ball back to Berbatov, whose shot led to the goal. Defended solidly enough at left-back.

Owen Hargreaves – 6: Started livelily on the right and put in a good shift for the team. Faded slightly as the game progressed and Chelsea began to gain the advantage, but United will be glad to see him back and playing regularly.

Darren Fletcher – 7: Full of energy, grew as the game went on. Strong in possession and rarely lost the ball, but just couldn’t quite influence things enough in the final third to give United a second goal. Fletcher is becoming a more import!ant player for United with every game.

Paul Scholes – 6: Was booked in the first half for persistent fouling. Some neat and tidy passing, but not at his creative best in this one, replaced as Ronaldo came on in the 55th minute.

Ji-Sung Park – 8: Scored United’s goal, slotting the ball past Cech after following up well. Worked extremely hard on the wing, tracking back throughout and supporting United’s attacks whenever possible. Justified his selection ahead of Nani on the left.

Wayne Rooney – 7: Produced another unselfish performance for the benefit of the team. Played an excellent pass to spring Evra free in the build up to Park’s goal and proved invaluable chasing back late in the game.

Dimitar Berbatov – 5: Still finding his feet in the red of United. It was his shot that Cech fumbled for the goal, but that was almost the Bulgarian’s only contribution from the ninety minuets.

Substitutions:

Kuszczak – 5: Started with a few decent stops, but probably should have came out to claim Mikel’s free-kick that was headed in by Kalou. Instead, the Pole remained rooted to the goal-line. Ronaldo - 6: Proved to be a good outlet as United countered, but couldn’t quite score or create what would have probably proved to be a match-winning second goal. O’Shea - 5: Came on to try and protect United’s one-goal lead, but his side were unable to do that with Kalou scoring a crucial equaliser.<p/>