Chelsea – Manchester United

Join us for all the action at Stamford Bridge where Manchester United meet Chelsea in the first leg of the Carling Cup semi-final. Ferguson vs Mourinho, say no more! Kick off 8pm UK time.

Chelsea have made seven changes from the side who overcame Scunthorpe in the FA Cup third round on Saturday, while United have both Wayne Rooney and Louis Saha back to lead their line from suspension and injury respectively.

Chelsea get this Carling Cup semi-final under way, kicking from right to left, attacking the Shed End.

Early free kick to the home side, just inside their own half.

Now it's United's turn to be awarded a free kick for a foul on the returning Saha - a little generous, but the Red Devils waste the opening.

Lampard wins back possession for Chelsea in midfield and attempts to place a precise through-ball for Duff, but Howard reads the situation well and comes to collect.

Another free kick for Chelsea, left-hand channel, just inside their own half, to be taken by Duff.

And, although the set-piece is poor, referee Neal Barry has spotted an infringement and awards another free kick to the Blues, but this time in a much more threatening position, central and 25 yards out.

But, Lampards's shot is blocked by United's defensive wall, before Howard clears his lines up field.

Terry tries to pick out the overlapping run of left-back Bridge, but the England international cannot quite get the ball under control, much to United's relief.

Great chance for Chelsea and Cole after a terrible mix-up between Silvestre and O'Shea at the heart of the visitors defence, but the playmaker completely misses his kick on the volley with just Howard to beat.

Huge United claims for a penalty after a trip by Ferreira on Saha, but the referee says the striker dived.

Cracking opening to this cup tie, which is end to end at the moment and the atmosphere is crackling with anticipation.

Duff comes desperately close to giving Chelsea the lead with a curling shot from just outside the area, with Howard left rooted to his line.

Another claim for a United penalty, this time after Ronaldo is felled by Terry, but yet another excellent descision by Mr.Barry - spot on having seen the replay, which shows that the Portugal international winger just slipped under his own momentum.

United have won themselves a left-wing corner, which results in a great opening for Saha at the back post, only for the Frenchman to completely miss his header.

Chelsea have won themselves a free kick on the left-hand corner of the penalty area after a trip on the marauding Duff by two United defenders.

However, not for the first time this evening, Chelsea's delivery from a set piece is poor and United easily clear their lines.

Long-range shot by Lampard whistles well past Howards's left-hand post - no surprise that the England international has a shot on goal.

There has been very little between the two sides in these opening 20 minutes, with perhaps United having the better openings.

Free kick to United after a trip on Ronaldo, just inside their own half, to be taken by Neville.

Poor free kick gives away possession to Cole, who breaks up field with pace, only for Heinze to do well and win back the ball with a strong challenge that the home fans do not like.

This time Cole has won a free kick after an illegal challenge on him by the Argentina international left-back.

From that set piece though, the ball has made its way back to Cudiccini in the home goal.

Ronaldo goes on a mazy run past a couple of Chelsea players, only for the imposing figure of Terry to step in and clear the ball up field.

United now attack down the other flank, their left, with Rooney and Heinze combining well to win a throw-in by the corner flag.

The ball is crossed deep to the back post, where Fletcher climbs well with a powerful far-post header, but Saha cannot quite react to poke a shot goalwards.

Duff does very well down Chelsea's right to find space and deliver a dangerous centre that causes confusion at the heart of the United defence, before Howard comes to claim.

Duff and Cole have decided to swap wings for Chelsea.

Best chance of the game falls Chelsea's way following two inch-perfect right-wing centres by Ferreira, the first which is only just cleared to safety, before the second is back-headed by Lampard just past the far post with Howard beaten.

Gudjohnsen now has a goal correctly disallowed for offside, having stabbed in Duff's cross-shot.

Again, Gudjohnsen is flagged offside having gone through one on one with Howard, and again the decision was correct, although the Iceland international front man missed the chance anyway.

Now Rooney has a half-chance on the volley from the left-hand edge of the area, but he drags it disappointingly wide.

Free kick to Chelsea for a foul by Heinze on Cole.

Heinze makes up for that little indiscretion by making a brave, diving header at the back post to deny Terry heading Chelsea into the lead, although the referee subsequently blew up for a foul by the big England international.

Again, another small opening for Rooney following good work by Ronaldo on the right wing, but his shot on the turn drifts harmlessly wide.

United, incredibly, have not lost a domestic semi-final for 30 years, when Norwich City got the better of them in this competition.

The ball falls invitingly to Rooney on the edge of the box, but he smashes a wild volley miles over the bar.

Now Chelsea's turn to work an opening from distance, but Tiago's long-range piledriver is smothered by the visitors onrushing defence.

A fantastic, fingertip save by Cudicinni at his near post keeps the scores level after Rooney meets Fletcher's right-wing centre with an arching header. Corner.

United's right-wing corner somehow evades everyone and Chelsea are able to take advantage by launching a counter-attack, until Makelele gives away possession carelessly.

Some very cool defending betweeen Silvestre and Heinze helps get United out of a spot of bother and into Chelsea's half.

Ronaldo is trying his socks off, but it just isn't coming off for the young winger at present, much to the obvious pleasure of the home fans.

United have won themselves a left-wing corner, taken by Rooney, but easily headed clear by the immense Terry.

Another left-wing corner for United, again to be taken by Rooney and again headed clear majestically by that man Terry, before Rooney is flagged for offside.

The fourth official has indicated that there will be just the one minute of time to be added on at the end of what has been an entertaining first period.

United will be absolutely delighted with how this first half has panned out.

Half-time at the Bridge and it is goalless, but not for want of trying.

Manchester United will get the second half under way, kicking from right to left, attacking the Shed End.

Chelsea have made the one change at the break, taking off Gudjohnsen and replacing him with Drogba.

United have gone over eight hours now without conceeding a goal.

Early free kick to United in a promising position after Rooney is tripped, taken by Ronaldo, but he disappointingly hits it straight into the wall.

Cole almost scores an outrageous opener from fully 35 yards after collecting Howards's scuffed clearance and volleying it first time inches past the post.

Heinze keeps the scores level with a vital goalline clearance to deny Lampard after the midfielder had gone past Neville, before dummying O'Shea and shooting past Howard.

Now United's turn to counter-attack with Rooney down the right wing and the youngster wins his side a corner.

But, Fortune's delivery is poor and easily cleared at the near post by Terry.

Free kick to Chelsea and a booking to Heinze for a blatant trip on Drogba, who had managed to wriggle past two covering defenders and was through on goal.

A clever free kick by Lampard catches United asleep, and his pull-back finds Drogba on the edge of the area, only for his shot to be deflected into Howard's path, making it a tricky save for the American at his near post.

Lampard gives away the ball in a dangerous area to Rooney, who goes on a dribble through the Chelsea ranks, only for Gallas to get back and make an excellent recovery tackle. Corner.

Rooney takes the left-wing corner, but it is easily headed clear by Drogba at the back post.

A good passing move by United results in a shooting chance for Saha, but the Frenchman pulls his shot from outside the area wide of Cudicinni's far post.

Lampard comes very close to breaking the deadlock in this cup tie after an excellent knock-down by Drogba, but his long-range volley flashes just past Howard's far post.

Again, Chelsea come close to taking the lead following a surging run into the box by Cole, only for Silvestre to make a last-ditch saving tackle and the ball breaks kindly into Howard's hands.

United make their first change of the night, taking off the ineffectual Djemba-Djemba and bringing on Scholes.

Ronaldo has a go from fully 30 yards out with a free kick that requires a smart stop down by his near post by the ever-alert Cudicinni.

A half-chance falls the way of Saha, but the striker understandably looks rusty after his long injury lay-off and the ball runs through to Cudicinni.

This second period has been as even as the first was, although it is mainly the home side who are doing the pressing, with United solely threatening on the break.

Ferreira demonstrates some excellent skills down by the right-hand touchline, tricking two United defenders, but his drilled centre is hacked to safety by the visitors.

Chelsea make a second substitution, taking off Thiago and bringing on Kezman.

And immediately Chelsea win themselves a left-wing corner, but it is headed clear at the back post by Fortune.

Now Chelsea have won themselves a free kick in a dangerous position, level with the area and wide on the left after a foul by Heinze.

But, not for the first time this evening, Lampard's delivery from a set piece is poor and crashes into United's defensive wall.

Another free kick to Chelsea after Lampard is brought down in his tracks, but again the midfielder overhits his delivery and it goes straight out for a goalkick.

20 minutes to go in this first leg and still nothing to choose between the two teams.

O'Shea tries to find Saha with a long ball through the middle, although the Frenchman is flagged for offside.

Now Saha wins his team a free kick after a foul by Bridge on the striker, deep in Chelsea terriority.

And from the set piece, United create an opening for Scholes from an excellent right-wing cross by Fletcher, but the little midfielder cannot get enough power on his near-post header and Cudicinni easily claims.

Free kick to Chelsea now, halfway in the United half, left-hand side, to be taken by Lampard, but easily headed clear by Fortune, before United themselves win a free kick.

Chelsea make their third and final change of the match, taking off Cole and introducing new signing Jarosik.

And immediately the home side deliver a free kick deep into United's penalty box and the ball spins out for a right-wing corner to the Blues.

Jarosik almost makes a dream introduction, but his far-post header is powered over the bar.

Duff goes on a mazy dribble down the left wing, only for his chipped cross to go out for a goal kick.

United are now starting to take their time over proceedings, much to the home crowds displeasure.

Another offside against Saha - the France international must have been flagged for offside four or five times alone in this second half.

If there is going to be a winner tonight, then it is only going to be Chelsea, who are really pressing for a breakthrough at present.

Crunching tackle by Fortune on Kezman, with the Serbian coming off the worse and both players are having words with each other at present.

Kezman has done well to win his side a free kick deep inside United's half after a foul by Silvestre, but Saha makes a brilliant diving header to stop a scoring chance for the Blues. Corner.

Sensational goalline clearance by Neville at the far post denies Jarosik from opening the scoring. Another corner.

Right-wing corner is brilliantly headed clear under pressure by Silvestre on the penalty spot - heroic defending by the Red Devils.

Drogba is caught late by Fortune, but Chelsea are not awarded a free kick and play is waved on, with Ronaldo trying to take on the entire Chelsea back four all by himself, until the ball is put out of play so the forward can receive treatment.

Both Ronaldo and Drogba square up to each other over a thow-in and a mass brawl erupts between both sides, which results in a booking for both players.

And Sir Alex Ferguson immediately reacts to that situation by removing Ronaldo and bringing on Smith.

The fourth official has indicated that there will be just the two minutes of time to be added on at the end of this second half.

Jose Mourinho is not happy at all with the amount of injury time that is to be added on and the Portuguese is arguing his point with the fourth official.

Neal Barry blows for full time and there is nothing to separate the two teams after this pulsating first leg, with all to play for at Old Trafford in a fortnight's time.