In the build to the match fans and pundits alike went as far as to claim that a loss today could seriously dent Manchester United’s chances of coming in the top four. With this in mind, Moyes as usual in his short reign at the Premier League holders quickly downplayed the importance of today’s game. However, it could not be ignored by the away fans that all teams above them had won apart from Everton who are yet to play, a loss today would set them further afield from the bare minimum of coming fourth.
Earlier in the season these two giants played out a very boring 0-0 draw at Old Trafford with Chelsea playing six midfielders and no strikers, which led to both teams not making a great chance all game. However today both managers made it obvious they were going to go for all three points with United starting in a 4-3-3 formation whereas Chelsea set up in a 4-2-3-1.
United started the game well, with Januzaj using his dancing feet to skim Terry before nearly setting up Welbeck who couldn’t quite get to the ball before it was cleared by the Chelsea defence. United continued their impressive start to the game with several very threatening crosses and corners. But Chelsea performed prime example of a smash and grab. Eto’o drifted to the right hand side and collected the ball. He then cut in with a clever shimmy which left Jones for dead, but the luck was with Eto’o as his shot was deflected by a lunging Carrick and looped over a despairing David De Gea. The goal was arguably unfair on United who had dominated possession 71% to 29% after ten minutes but United were again at fault for not being clinical.
Chelsea continued to push forwards after the opener and United tried to hit Chelsea consistently on the break yet again with Januzaj being the only outlet for United. But yet again Welbeck was unable to make anything of his two great chances. One being easily saved by Cech and the other opportunity was wasted when Welbeck failed to pounce on the loose ball. United would have been happy to go into the break only one goal down. Like so many other times this season however, the defence let them down. United cleared a corner on the 45 minute mark but the entire defence switched off and Cahill found the ball in yards of space, which allowed him to square the ball to a wide open Eto’o who slotted home from just yards out. It was the worst time for United to concede and Chelsea had complete control of the game.
Eto’o killed the game off in the 49th minute when he tapped in from just three yards out after Cahill’s thunderous header was saved by De Gea. The joy was obvious on his face as Eto’o became only the 4th player to score a hat-trick against Manchester United in the Premier League. But the picture that could say a thousand words was the image of David Moyes as the 3rd goal was turned in. Moyes looked dejected and hope was gone which really sums up how poor United were today overall.
Hernandez scored a consolation goal for the reigning champions when Phil Jones scuffed his attempted shot wide only for Hernandez to pounce on the ball to turn it in. Despite pulling a goal back and giving themselves then minutes to try and get another two the confidence was never there. The United comeback never got going.
To make matters worse for United captain Vidic was shown a straight red for a slide tackle from behind Hazard. It was a debateable decision but the referee most likely got the call right. However Dowd decided to not send Rafael off for a double footed lunge on Cahill. Both feet were clearly off the floor and it was an emphatic lunge by Rafael, who can consider himself lucky that he wasn’t also given his marching orders.
The defeat means that United are now six points off arch-rivals Liverpool who occupy fourth spot, and they are also without captain Vidic for the Capital One Cup Semi-Final second leg where they trail Sunderland 2-1. But the win takes Chelsea just two points behind league leaders Arsenal and one behind costless scoring Manchester City. United’s next Premier League game is Cardiff at home which sees club legend Ole Gunnar Solskjaer return to Old Trafford as his Cardiff side look to upset the struggling Manchester side but United will still expect to run out victors. Chelsea on the other hand host struggling West Ham in a game they will expect to win by a very comfortable margin.