Manchester United – Chelsea

Join us from 1930 BST for live text commentary of Manchester United v Chelsea, as the Blues visit Old Trafford needing to win in order to keep their Champions League dreams alive.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2010/0903/franklampard,johnterryanddidierdrogbachelsea20100903_275x155.gif"><br> Frank Lampard, John Terry and Didier Drogba will all be looking to erase the heartbreak of the 2008 final in Moscow.

In the build up to the game, Rio Ferdinand has insisted <a href="http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/905917/no" target="_blank">Manchester United are focused only on this match and not on a prospective Treble</a>, while Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard believes <a href="http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/905911/frank-lampard:-roman-abramovich-deserves-champions-league?cc=5739" target="_blank">Champions League success would reward Roman Abramovich for transforming the club.</a>

Good evening everyone and welcome to live coverage of Manchester United v Chelsea. It's the second leg of the Champions League quarter finals and the Blues HAVE to win in order to progress.

The major Chelsea team news for you is that Anelka and Torres start up front, while Alex comes back in at centre-back, with Ivanovic pushed out to the right.

For United, there are two changes from the side that started at Stamford Bridge last week, with O'Shea coming in for the injured Rafael and Nani in for Valencia, presumably after the Portuguese winger impressed against Fulham on Saturday.

Remember that this isn't the only Champions League match this evening, though the other clash isn't on quite the same knife edge, with Barcelona travelling to Shakhtar with a 5-1 lead.

You can follow how that game is going with Chris Murphy, who is <a href="http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/906064/matchday-live---april-12?cc=5739" target="_blank">providing live updates and chat throughout the evening</a>

Chelsea won 2-1 at Old Trafford in the league last season - a repeat result tonight would see them go through on away goals.

The players are out on the pitch now. Fernando Torres looks a focused man, can he end is 648-minute goal drought tonight? It would be quite a time for him to do it!

This one should be a cracker and, to use that most annoying of football cliches, the first goal will be so important tonight.

And we're off...

Anelka with a good early touch to bring the ball under control in the centre circle and Chelsea have possession.

Ancelotti looking stony faced in the dugout and Ferguson grinning like a Cheshire cat - will it be the same story at the end of the evening?

United have barely touched the ball thus far, though after a loose pass from Ramires they finally have it from a throw-in.

<i>Stats: United have won 56% of their Champions League games on Tuesdays, compared to 52% on Wednesdays.</i>

Rooney to the byline down the right after taking advantage of a poor pass from Terry but he overcooks the cross.

Nani brought sown by Ivanovic on the left wing and United have a free-kick. Looks like Nani to whip it in.

Malouda with a penetrating run but Carrick makes an excellent interception.

Another good challenge from Carrick to nick the ball off Torres but Chelsea come back at them, Ramires running through the middle but nudged out by Ferdinand.

Anelka looks to play Torres but he gives the ball away cheaply to O'Shea. Chelsea have enjoyed more possesssion but have given it away too often.

Rooney plays through Park and he's past Alex...

But the Brazilian gets back into position and the South Korean's back-heeled ball into the box is cleared by Terry.

Ferdinand limping around a bit after the tackle on Ramires but he looks to be running it off.

Ivanovic crosses from the right wing but it sails all the way through and out for a throw-in.

Chelsea still on the attack though, Anelka floats one in to Torres and he rises above Ferdinand but his header is wide of the left-hand post.

Rooney away again down the right, he knocks it back to Hernandez who produces a smart turn and cross - diverted out for a corner.

Giggs corner scooped up by Torres though, who is roundly booed by the Old Trafford faithful.

Anelka shoots after Torres' lay-off and he's poked it wide of the post from 18 yards.

I tell you what, that was very close and Van der Sar was not getting there.

Ambitious effort from Rooney - a well-struck volley from 35 yards but it didn't trouble Cech to much.

Good stop by Van der Sar, Malouda slalomed through into the box and laid it off to Lampard, who sidefooted one low.

A second look suggests that he should have done better - it was straight at the Dutchman.

Nani pressurises Ivanovic deep in the Chelsea half but is penalised for being heavy handed with the Serbian.

Hernandez onside, played in by Rooney...

He escapes down the left but Alex does well to intercept. It's a United corner though.

Hoofed away immediately, though Anelka concedes a foul against Giggs on the halfway line.

Ramires with a fantastic driving run and as the ball spreads wide left to Malouda, O'Shea cynically brings him down.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> O'Shea.

Deserved booking for the Irishman, Lampard to swing it in.

Straight over the crossbar.

<i>Stats: In their previous nine Champions League games, United have kept only three clean sheets.</i>

Park, Carrick and O'Shea link up well in midfield but Chelsea are on the break again with Ramires and Malouda.

Park has a cut on his eye, I'm not too sure how he managed that one.

Cole crosses and Torres can't engineer a shot but the ball falls to Anelka again on the edge of the box and he has fizzed one just over.

Lampard goes down under a tackle from Carrick and Chelsea take it quickly and switch it to the right.

Vidic clears one out but the blue wave comes straight back again. Ramires with an over-hit through ball, allowing Van der Sar to collect.

Evra brings United forward with what has been a fairly rare attack in this first half.

The home side have a corner now.

<b>GOAL for Hernandez! </b>

No! He's offside.

Sorry to those United fans who just spilled their drinks celebrating. It was a delicious cross from Rooney headed in by Chicharito but the assistant's flag was up.

Looking at the replay, it was very, very tight.

Will that spur United on now because the Blues have unquestionably been the dominant force in this match so far.

Our Scottish readers can go to the ESPNsoccernet home page now for live post-match analysis of Celtic's 1-0 win at St Johnstone.

Amazing challenge from Van der Sar - a Vidic clearance was chased down by Anelka and the 40-year-old Dutchman was out of his goal and though the Chelsea striker got their first, Van der Sar put in a crucial interception.

Ivanovic with an impressive overlapping run down the right and he's won Chelsea a corner.

Rooney dispossesses Anelka on the edge of the box and a streaming counter attack then ends with Nani being upended by Ramires.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Ramires

Free-kick on the left of the box, Rooney and Giggs line it up and there's a half-hearted handball appeal after the delivery. None of the officials are interested in that claim.

Well the tie seems to be bursting into life a bit now and this United-soaking-up-the-pressure-and-looking-to-counter approach could be how the game goes for the next 56 minutes.

United's midfield has looked absent at times, with Park and Giggs not exerting the same control as they managed last week. Carrick has performed as admirably as he did last week, though and is shielding the ball well.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Malouda booked for bringing down Hernandez after a smart turn from the Mexican.

Evra and Nani combine dangerously down the left but Ramires sweeps up the threat.

Evra with a great through ball to Nani down the left wing and now United are doing the pressing.

But again the Blues manage to snuff out the danger before a chance comes.

It's end to end now, Chelsea swept forward again but now it's United and Giggs advancing.

Nani strikes one but it's a tame left-foot effort from 20 yards out, which drifts harmlessly wide of Cech's left post.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15">Terry booked.

It was Hernandez who drew the foul again, Terry with an arm across his face.

Unlucky there the Chelsea captain, he was well within his rights to try and climb for the header.

Ramires, incidentally, will miss the semi-final first leg should Chelsea advance after his booking.

Essien handball on the left edge of the box and United have a free-kick.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> Hernandez!

<b>Man Utd 1-0 Chelsea</b>. Giggs and O'Shea combined superbly down the right and with a gaping gap in front of him, Giggs - just as he did at the Bridge last week - put it on a plate for Chicharito.

Chelsea were all at sixes and sevens in defence, what a time for the home side to score.

And United pushing on now, they have another corner.

Ivanovic clears and Chelsea breathe.

Ferdinand penalised for a foul on Torres and Ancelotti is having words with the fourth official.

There goes the half-time whistle...

<b>HALF-TIME: Man Utd 1-0 Chelsea. </b> After bossing the first half, Ancelotti's side will feel crushed by that late goal. They are 2-0 down on aggregate but their position remains the same as at kick-off - two goals will see them progress.

What a season Javier Hernandez is having for Manchester United - that was his 18th goal of the season and fourth in the Champions League. His goals always seem to be crucial ones though - Blackpool, West Brom, Marseille, Valencia and Stoke can all attest to that.

In tonight's other game, Barcelona are 1-0 up at Shakhtar - that's 6-1 on aggregate. I'll give you one guess who scored?

Lionel Messi has now scored 48 goals for Barcelona this season, which trumps Brazilian Ronaldo's record back in 1996-97 (47 goals)

Remember you can follow all the updates from that game and <a href="http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/906064/matchday-live---april-12?cc=5739" target="_blank">all tonight's chat with Chris Murphy.</a>

You can also follow ESPNsoccernet on Twitter - <a href="http://twitter.com/soccernet" target="_blank">@Soccernet</a> is what you need to look for, for all your social networking needs.

So will Ancelotti change things up soon, surely Drogba will be coming on fairly soon?

And we're off for the second half...

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Drogba on for Torres.

So it seems Carlo heard me, Drogba on for his 300th Chelsea game.

Ivanovic advances early on and whips a right-wing cross into Drogba, who turns a shot goalwards. Van der Sar collects his deflected effort though.

Old Trafford roars into life now as United attempt to launch an attack.

Throw-in for the home side, but Cole does well to shepherd Hernandez and ensure Chelsea have a goal-kick.

Ferdinand looks like he may be struggling again, Smalling is warming up.

Poor pass from Rooney gives it straight to Lampard, who in turn plays it to Anelka. However, a limping Ferdinand overpowers the Frenchman.

Lampard looks to unleash an effort from 25 yards but his shot is dragged wide.

Drogba beats Vidic in the air but there's no-one running on to his flicked header.

Malouda's turn to strike one from distance, but his volley follows Lampard's wide of goal.

<i>Stats: Chelsea have had eight shots on goal so far, but just one on target. </i>

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2011/0412/javierhernandezopeninggoal20110412_275x155.jpg"><br> Javier Hernandez ghosts in at the back post to score United's opener.

Free-kick on the left for United and Giggs bends it in, but Hernandez can't direct his header goalwards.

Rooney sprays a cross-field ball to Park.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2011/0412/fernandotorresjohno'sheabattle20110412_275x155.jpg"><br>Fernando Torres battles John O'Shea in the first half, but the Chelsea striker was frustrated and withdrawn at half-time.

Cracking strike from Drogba and his left-foot shot from 25 yards fizzed wide of Van der Sar's goal. The Dutchman looked to have it well covered though.

Rooney outpaces Alex and crosses it in but Cole does superbly to head the ball clear twice.

Drogba hits one but it's blocked by Vidic.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Evra booked for pulling down Drogba off the ball.

The Ivorian palces the ball, on the right-hand corner of the box. It seems more suited to a left-footer so I'm presuming he will be crossing.

He does and Van der Sar palms it clear.

United advance at pace again and straight down the other end, Rooney is taken down by Lampard on the edge of the Chelsea box. Giggs to take the free-kick.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Kalou on for Anelka.

Nani takes it instead, but the Blues clear the danger.

Not sure about Ancelotti's thinking in bringing off both strikers when Chelsea are chasing the game. How very Roberto Mancini of him.

Carrick and Nani initiate a United attack but Rooney dispossesed and Lampard pushes Chelsea forward.

The England midfielder plays it towards Kalou, but Vidic vitally steps in to stop the pass reaching him.

Ivanovic fires a cross towards Drogba but the Chelsea striker nudges Carrick and concedes a free-kick.

<i>Stats: Man Utd have managed just 12 goal attempts to Chelsea's 33 over the two legs so far.</i>

Evra brought crashing to the earth by Essien, but Chelsea have a free-kick seconds later.

Drogba explodes past Evra but his cross looks a touch long. Corner conceded by Park though.

Alex heads just wide.

Nani shows Ivanovic a couple of stepovers and after receiving the ball back from a poor Alex clearance, the Portuguese winger fires a low shot in that Cech does well to parry out for a corner.

Poor delivery and the Blues were untroubled there.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/red_card.jpg" height="15"> Ramires brings down Nani with a late challenge and gets a second yellow.

Seconds before, United had a great chance - Rooney beat Terry for strength and pace with an eclectric run down the right wing. He produced a pinpoint cross but an umarked Giggs headed straight at Cech.

That was so unnecessary from Ramires, Nani was deep in his own half, going nowhere. As if Chelsea's task wasn't difficult enough!

Ivanovic wins a free-kick down the right wing and it will be the Serbian to deliver.

The box was packed but the delivery was, quite frankly, rubbish.

Cole controlled the ball in the box, but O'Shea defended intelligently to force him wide.

Drogba with space to turn in the area but his left-foot shot is straight at Van der Sar.

Nani runs at intent through the middle and is fouled by Alex as he looked to go clean through. Free-kick but no booking. Terrible sportsmanship from Nani, asking for a card to be shown. No place for that in the game.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Valencia on for Nani.

Rooney's free-kick was deflected out for a corner but United can't produce a chance.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> Drogba!

<b>Man Utd 1-1 Chelsea</b>. The ten men have pulled one back, Vidic tried to play him offside but Drogba was away and smashed one past Van der Sar.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> Park puts United into the semi-finals.

<b>Man Utd 2-1 Chelsea</b>. Straight from kick-off Rooney advances down the right, plays it to Giggs, who finds Park free in the area. The Korean control with his chest and a left-foot shot sends Old Trafford wild.

Chelsea looked to be back in it and then suddenly they had it snatched away from them. The Blues have to pile forward now. They must score two to progress.

Valencia takes on Cole and wins a corner for United.

Handled easily enough by the Chelsea defence.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Ferrerira on for Alex.

Not sure the Portuguese right-back can prove a match-winner here but I'm ready to be proved wrong...

Good through-ball by Ferreira though (he must have heard my criticism!) but Kalou can't replicate Drogba's shot from a similar position.

The 'Oles' are ringing out around the stadium now as United just try to keep possession.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2011/0412/ramiressentoff20110412_275x155.jpg"><br> Ramires could have no objections to what was a needless second yellow card.

Drogba searches for Kalou with a left-foot cross but Van der Sar collects.

Giggs gives it away to Malouda and the Frenchman, who has been anonymous in the second half, produces a stinging shot from 25 yards that is saved superbly by Van der Sar.

Rooney switches the ball superbly to Valencia but the Ecuadorian's touch is heavy.

Essien trying desperately to carve open a chance and Chelsea have a free-kick after Kalou is held by Carrick.

Ivanovic crosses to Lampard but the midfielder heads wide and punches the air in dismay.

Three minutes of stoppage time to play.

Chelsea's season is close to collapsing, can Ancelotti keep his job?

Rooney with a masterful display of how to keep possession and frustrate a desperate opponent.

Hernandez well challenged by Ivanovic as he looked to sprint into the area.

United edging ever closer, seconds remaining.

Rooney tries to lob Cech from nearly fifty yards but the Chelsea goalkeeper palms it away.

There's the final whistle...

<b>Man Utd 2-1 Chelsea</b>. United into the semi-finals for the fourth time in five seasons. Ryan Giggs the creator for both goals and Roman Abramovich's quest for Champions League glory will have to wait another year.

Next up is most probably Schalke for United in the semis, unless Inter can produce a dramatic and emphatic victory in Germany tomorrow. For Chelsea, the future of Ancelotti will undoubtedly be the talking point. Thanks for joining us folks and tune in for live coverage of Spurs v Real Madrid in less than 24 hours.