Chelsea – Manchester United

1. Join us from 1600 GMT for live text commentary of arguably the biggest Premier League game of the season so far as league leaders Chelsea host Manchester United at Stamford Bridge.

2. <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2012/0205/waynerooneycelebjavierhernandez_275x155.jpg"><br>Wayne Rooney and Javier Hernandez secured a point for United in a thrilling 3-3 draw at the Bridge in February, with <a href="http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/1204679/man-utd%27s-wayne-rooney:-fernando-torres-a-major-threat-for-chelsea?cc=5739" target="_blank">the England striker expecting Fernando Torres to be a major threat on Sunday. </a>

3. Ahead of the game, Manchester United blogger Mark Payne has been thinking about Sir Alex's successor and feels <a href="http://soccernet.espn.go.com/blog/_/name/manchesterunited/id/365?cc=5739" target="_blank">the Red Devils must look for their own version of Roberto Di Matteo</a>, while Chelsea fan Phil Lythell <a href="http://soccernet.espn.go.com/blog/_/name/chelsea/id/227?cc=5739" target="_blank">reckons United are vulnerable.</a>

4. Chelsea XI vs Man Utd: Cech, Ivanovic, Cahill, Luiz, Cole, Ramires, Mikel, Mata, Oscar, Hazard, Torres

5. Man Utd XI vs Chelsea: De Gea, Rafael, Ferdinand, Evans, Evra, Valencia, Carrick, Cleverley, Young, Rooney, Van Persie

6. For the Blues, Gary Cahill continues to deputise in domestic competition for the suspended John Terry. Elsewhere, the only other change from the defeat to Shakhtar Donetsk is Eden Hazard who comes in for the injured Frank Lampard.

7. For United, Rio Ferdinand and Patrice Evra come in after being rested for the win over Braga in midweek. Antonio Valencia and Ashley Young also return with Alex Buttner, Darren Fletcher, Javier Hernandez and the injured Shinji Kagawa dropping out.

8. United always find it tough coming to Stamford Bridge, having not won there in the Premier League for 10 years. Although, they did beat the Blues there 1-0 in the Champions League in 2011.

9. The last meeting between the two at Stamford Bridge was a cracker. Chelsea went into a 3-0 lead only to allow United to pull the scores level. Let's hope we're in for more of the same today.

10. Mark Clattenburg is the man in charge of today's game. Chelsea will be pleased, as they have won all eight games that the official has overseen at the Bridge.

11. Out come the teams. Kick-off is imminent.

12. 1'

    And we're off.

13. 1'

    Mikel picks out Cole with an early searching ball but it proves just too much for the left back to deal with.

14. 2'

    Chelsea imposing themselves quickly on this game.

15. 2'

    Mata plays in Oscar with a delightful touch but it is just too much for the Brazilian to get a hold of.

16. 3'

    United with their first move of the game. Carrick picks out Van Persie who turns his man and fires a long-range effort at goal. But it's straight at Cech.

17. 3'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL FOR UNITED. LUIZ OWN GOAL.</b>

18. 4'

    A lovely move from United. Young plays in Rooney down the right who picks out Van Persie in the middle with the pass. The Dutchman rifles in an effort that hits the post but bounces off Luiz and into the back of the net.

19. 5'

    A great start to this game. Just as it looked like Chelsea were really beginning to impose themselves on this game United hit back in style. Van Persie is looking very dangerous.

20. 6'

    United are used to coming from behind a lot this season. How will they cope taking the lead?

21. 7'

    Ferguson opted for width with his selection today by bringing in Young and Valencia. It has paid off so far with Young doing brilliantly to help set up the goal.

22. 8'

    Ramires does well to dispose of Cleverly in the middle as Chelsea now look to build.

23. 9'

    Ramires is this time tackled by United as they do well to thwart a Chelsea attack.

24. 10'

    This is a nice spell of passing from United with Cleverly orchestrating in the middle.

25. 10'

    Ivanovic goes in rather hard on Evra. Ferguson is up on his feet screaming at the referee. No foul given.

26. 11'

    Mata plays a delightful ball down the right to Torres who proceeds to whip a dangerous ball into the box. Oscar tries to chest it down to Mata on the edge of the box but doesn't make proper contact.

27. 11'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL FOR UNITED. VAN PERSIE.</b>

28. 11'

    A delightful move from United. Rafael plays the ball up the line to Valenica who does what he does best and sends in a cross straight to Van Persie. The striker smashes it past Cech. Keeper had no chance.

29. 13'

    United will be over the moon with this start. Van Persie continues where he left off with Arsenal after his hat-trick at Stamford Bridge last season.

30. 15'

    Ferguson's decision to select Valencia and Young has been vindicated. Both involved in the goals.

31. 16'

    Rafael with a run up the right but Oscar tracks back to stop him. United could easily get a third here.

32. 16'

    Hazard shows what he can do by drilling a dangerous ball across the United goal but the defence manage to deal with it.

33. 17'

    Can Chelsea do what we saw Everton do earlier today against Liverpool?

34. 17'

    Torres gets on the ball for Chelsea and tries to unlock the defence to find Mata. But a poor pass brings the move to an end.

35. 18'

    Valencia is looking a real threat down the right. His cross is deflected off for a corner.

36. 20'

    Cleverley fails to deal properly with Ivanovic who sends a ball into the box. But nobody is there to meet it.

37. 21'

    Van Persie is like a man possessed today, winning headers and helping to link up the play for United.

38. 22'

    Surprisingly Chelsea have dominated the possession so far. They just haven't done too much with it, where as United have been lethal.

39. 23'

    Marauding run from Ramires. Carrick is forced to hack him down on the edge of the box.

40. 24'

    Up steps Luiz to take the free kick but De Gea is equal to it. He uses his leg to stop the ball heading into the corner of the net.

41. 25'

    Hazard does well to turn past Carrick before firing an effort at goal, but he can only send it wide.

42. 26'

    Chelsea picking things up now and starting to play some football. They just need to be a bit more clinical in the final third.

43. 27'

    Hazard and Mata doing their bit to try to unlock the United defence. So far proving unsuccessful.

44. 28'

    Evra sends in a dangerous ball into the box but Cahill does well to clear it, with Van Persie waiting to pounce.

45. 29'

    United happy to sit back with ten men behind the ball at the moment. They know just how dangerous they can be on the break. As proved already tonight.

46. 30'

    Torres rises to try to bring down a long ball into the box but fails to get anything on it.

47. 30'

    Valencia with a chance for United as Van Persie flicks a header on to the winger. Instead of pulling it back across goal however he aims for goal and fails to properly trouble Cech.

48. 31'

    United with one pass to many there as a lovely move down the right ends up running into a brick wall.

49. 31'

    Cleverley tries to pick out Van Persie but the Dutchman is offside.

50. 32'

    Rafael and Valencia deserve special credit for their play down United's right-hand side so far.

51. 34'

    Another Chelsea move breaks down as Mata looks for the through ball but the United defence are there to deal with it.

52. 35'

    Torres ruled offside as Mikel plays a ball over the top to the striker.

53. 36'

    United nearly gave an own goal away themselves there as Evans' sliced clearance from Mikel's ball hits the post.

54. 37'

    De Gea called into action as he makes a fine save to deny a Chelsea header from a corner.

55. 37'

    This is the best period of pressure that Chelsea have had so far. Can they make the most of it and grab a goal?

56. 37'

    Not when Mata overhits a free-kick like that.

57. 37'

    It's all Chelsea at the minute.

58. 37'

    Oscar tries to force in a shot but it is blocked. Valencia then brings down Torres to give away a dangerous free-kick.

59. 38'

    Hazard and Luiz stand over it.

60. 39'

    Luiz's speculative effort is blocked and bounces clear.

61. 39'

    Still Chelsea are piling on the pressure.

62. 40'

    An over-eager Ramires gives away a free-kick against Rooney.

63. 40'

    Carrick gives the ball away to Mikel in a dangerous position but Evans is there to put an important tackle in.

64. 41'

    Ivanovic gets forward well down the right to win the corner off Young.

65. 41'

    De Gea pulls off an unbelievable save to deny a Torres header. Seemed destined for the back of the net.

66. 43'

    Chelsea will be kicking themselves if they don't pull one back before half-time with all this pressure.

67. 43'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Rooney goes into the book for a cynical challenge on Hazard. Free-kick in a dangerous position now for Chelsea.

68. 43'

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

69. 43'

    Mata curls the resultant free-kick right into the corner of the goal. De Gea no chance.

70. 44'

    Ferguson will be having a word with Rooney at half-time for giving that foul away.

71. 44'

    And De Gea pulls off another fine save to deny Mata after Torres plays in his compatriot.

72. 44'

    It was De Gea who gave the ball away with a poor goal kick there.

73. 44'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Torres goes into the book with a very bad foul on Cleverley.

74. 45'

    Two minutes of injury time to be played.

75. 45'

    Mata curls in a corner but it is headed away. And there goes the half-time whistle.

76. 45'

    Another delightful first half. United got off to a fantastic start with two quick goals but Chelsea grew into the game as the half went on. They were rightly rewarded for their efforts with a late goal from Mata, setting up what promises to be another thrilling 45 minutes of football.

77. 45'

    Incidentally, Mata now has seven goals in seven games. You wouldn't bet against it being eight in seven before the game is over.

78. 45'

    Remember, United are four points behind Chelsea so will see it as vital that they can hang on to this lead.

79. 45'

    And the second half here at Stamford Bridge has just begun.

80. 46'

    Chelsea will be hoping to carry on from where they left off in the first half.

81. 46'

    Early United corner.

82. 47'

    Chelsea try to break from the corner but Oscar's ball to Ramires is just a little overhit.

83. 48'

    Oscar's corner finds its way to Mata on the edge of the box but his effort is deflected away.

84. 49'

    Hazard with a chance to whip a dangerous free-kick in.

85. 49'

    But the ref blows up for a needless push on Van Persie by Luiz.

86. 50'

    Oscar makes the most of a poor defensive header from Evans but Torres then proceeds to run straight into the United defence when he had options around him.

87. 51'

    Mikel steals the ball from Young but Mata's delivery over the top is just too long for Torres.

88. 52'

    Chelsea will be pleased with their start to this second half. Hazard picks up the ball on the left before squaring it to Mata but his shot is fired straight down the throat of De Gea.

89. 52'

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

90. 52'

    Chelsea looked as though they had wasted a chance after Mata fails to control a ball played into him but he makes up for it and fires the ball back across goal. Oscar picks it up on the other side of the box and sends it back in where Ramires is waiting to head home. Great header.

91. 55'

    And it's Chelsea again. Cole plays the ball up the line to Hazard who cuts inside before forcing a save from De Gea.

92. 55'

    Hazard again with a chance. Mata with a delightful ball to the Belgian at the far post. But instead of going for it with his head he only sticks a leg out and fails to get any proper contact on it whatsoever. It drifts off for a goal kick.

93. 56'

    Chelsea have been very impressive since the restart. Their trio of Oscar, Mata and Hazard are really starting to pull the strings at the moment. United's midfield are struggling to keep up.

94. 58'

    United starting to pass the ball around nicely now. They will want to keep this up to stop Chelsea's momentum.

95. 58'

    Van Persie tries to pick out Rooney from the edge of the box but the two strikers are on completely different wave lengths for once.

96. 59'

    Hazard is really turning on the style. His chipped ball into the box is dealt with by the United defence however.

97. 60'

    A chance for United. Young with the dangerous ball in but Van Persie just fails to get his head to it.

98. 61'

    Van Persie sends in a corner but it falls straight into Cech's arms.

99. 62'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/red_card.jpg" height="15"> Ivanovic receives his marching orders for bringing down Ashley Young as the last man. The winger was clean through on goal.

100. 62'

     Rooney sends the resultant free-kick over the bar.

101. 62'

     It was Van Persie who carved open the Chelsea defence for the red card there. An exquisite pass from the Dutchman.

102. 65'

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

103. 65'

     Ivanovic will now miss the game here at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday night when the two teams meet again in the Capital One Cup.

104. 65'

     Ferguson is looking to take advantage of that red card by bringing on Hernandez. A real statement of attacking intent.

105. 65'

     <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Azpilicueta on for Oscar. Chelsea shoring things up at the back.

106. 65'

     That red card is surely going to have a huge impact on the game. Chelsea looked sure of getting another goal and United were starting to look a little desperate just playing on the counter. Now you have to feel the ascendancy is with the away side.

107. 68'

     <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/red_card.jpg" height="15"> Red card for Torres.

108. 68'

     He receives his second yellow for a dive, following a two-footed challenge from Evans.

109. 68'

     Di Matteo was just about to bring on Daniel Sturridge for the Spanish international as well. Amazing set of events we have just seen.

110. 70'

     Both benches are kicking off. Great stuff. Chelsea down to nine men. Is this United's game now?

111. 71'

     Amazingly Chelsea are still doing the attacking.

112. 71'

     <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Ryan Bertrand comes on for Mata.

113. 72'

     Chelsea wouldn't have dreamed of taking Mata off moments earlier. This game has turned on its head. It's damage limitation for them now.

114. 73'

     Van Persie blazes an effort well over from the edge of the box. Should have done better.

115. 73'

     <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Ryan Giggs comes on for Rooney.

116. 73'

     Sensible move from Ferguson there with Rooney on a yellow card and with the mood the referee is in at the moment.

117. 75'

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

118. 75'

     Cech pulls off a great save to turn Van Persie's strike off the post. But Rafael is there to send the rebound back across goal where the Mexican is waiting to tap into the back of the net.

119. 77'

     A hint of offside from Hernandez there too. Chelsea have every right to feel very hard done by today.

120. 77'

     I don't think they will be able to believe just how they have let this game slip.

121. 78'

     United pushing for a fourth now. And it looks like it could be coming.

122. 79'

     Chelsea manage to get the ball up the other end. The ball falls to Ramires who fires in a long-range effort but it is always rising.

123. 80'

     Chelsea are going to need something inspirational now. With Mata off the pitch that seems less likely. But of course they still have Hazard. Marko Marin is on the bench too. Perhaps a game for him to become a hero?

124. 81'

     Hazard sends in a ball from the right but it just eludes Bertand in the middle.

125. 81'

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

126. 83'

     Evans nor Ramires pull out of a challenge there. Ferguson not happy with the Brazilian.

127. 84'

     Chelsea have all nine men back behind the ball at the moment. United happy to play keep-ball.

128. 85'

     Valencia tries to find Van Persie but the Dutchman is offside.

129. 86'

     Chelsea effectively playing with four midfielders and no strikers. Getting an equaliser looks like a huge ask for them.

130. 87'

     Young picks out Hernandez with a lovely ball over the top. The Mexican hits it first time but can't keep his effort down.

131. 89'

     Some desperate Chelsea defending denies Hernandez a clear run on goal after some nice work from Van Persie. The Dutchman is still down from his involvement in the move.

132. 90'

     Van Persie conveniently running the clock down killing any momentum that Chelsea have. Not they have had much since the red cards.

133. 90'

     Five minutes of added on time to be played.

134. 90'

     <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Mikel booked for bringing down Valencia on the edge of the box.

135. 90'

     Valencia misses a chance to kill the game off for United. Hernandez plays him clean through on goal with a delightful touch but the winger drags his shot well wide of the target.

136. 90'

     Chelsea with one final free kick.

137. 90'

     Headed clear from United and the referee blows his whistle to bring the proceedings to an end.

138. 90'

     An action-packed game full of controversy. Chelsea did brilliantly to pull the scores level after United's early double. However, just as Chelsea were looking like finding a winner they had two men sent off before Hernandez scored the winner, while looking suspiciously offside. The game turned completely on its head.

139. 90'

     An important win for United as they reduce Chelsea's lead to just one point and move up to second, overtaking Manchester City on goal difference.

140. 90'

     The two sides will meet at Stamford Bridge again on Wednesday in the Capital One Cup. Let's hope for more of the same. Minus Ivanovic and Torres, of course. Good night.

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