Soccer: Man Utd and Chelsea fight out goalless draw

LONDON - Manchester United held Chelsea to a 0-0 draw in the first leg of their League Cup semi-final during a tight match at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday.

United striker Wayne Rooney came close with a first half header and Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard had a shot cleared off the line by Gabriel Heinze while the visitors also had an early penalty appeal rejected when Louis Saha went down.

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho picked an almost full strength side while United manager Alex Ferguson, already hampered by injuries, rested Roy Keane, Paul Scholes and Rio Ferdinand.

The second leg is at Old Trafford on January 26. Liverpool beat second division Watford 1-0 in their semi-final first leg a at Anfield on Tuesday. The final takes place on February 27.

- REUTERS