Neither team wanted to lose, says Lampard

Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard believes a mutual fear of defeat stopped either Manchester United or the Blues making the breakthrough in a goalless draw at Old Trafford last night.

The Premier League title rivals could not be separated in David Moyes’ first home game as United manager and Lampard feels the status of the game as a “big decider” kept both sets of players from taking risks.

He said: “It was tense. People talk about big decider games early in the season and neither team wants to lose. It was a bit of a stalemate in those terms.

“We worked hard to stop the threat they’ve got up front and they worked hard to stop us.”

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho was happy to take a point.

“I think the result is fair,” he said. “I think nobody did enough to be better than the opponents.”

The Portuguese had said he would postpone his pursuit of striker Wayne Rooney, the subject of two bids from Chelsea who impressed for United tonight, until the league meeting was out of the way.

But having witnessed the warm reception given to the England international by the home fans, he is less convinced Rooney would want to leave a “very special club”.

Mourinho said: “This club must be a very special club because at every club in the world, when the player wants to leave they don’t support him.

“When a player wants to leave they give him a hard time but (here) they support him all the way so I think this is a real special club.”