Chelsea 3 Manchester United 1
Samuel Eto’o netted a hat-trick as Chelsea added to Manchester United’s woes under boss David Moyes.
Selected ahead of Fernando Torres, Eto’o opened the scoring with a deflected effort on 16 minutes and his close-range finishes either side of half-time sealed United’s fate.
Javier Hernandez pulled a goal back for Moyes’ troubled side, who ended the match with 10 men after Nemanja Vidic was red-carded for a reckless challenge on Eden Hazard in stoppage time.
Chelsea were on the back foot for much of the first half but took the lead when Eto’o went past Phil Jones and his shot from near the edge of the penalty area looped over keeper David de Gea via the boot of the unfortunate Michael Carrick.
United had made a lively start, with Petr Cech blocking Ashley Young’s low shot after the wide-man had exchanged passes with Danny Welbeck.
And the visitors also threatened after going behind, Patrice Evra firing into the side netting before Cech was called upon to make another save.
An off-balance Gary Cahill failed to cut out Adnan Januzaj’s low cross but Welbeck, who felt he was impeded by Cesar Azipilcueta, was unable to direct his shot past the Chelsea keeper.
Eto’o, on the other hand, made no mistake when found by Cahill’s low cross after a corner was only half-cleared just before the interval.
The same players were involved in the third goal three minutes after the break, Eto’o following up to score after De Gea had kept out Cahill’s header from Willian’s right-wing corner.
A 3-0 scoreline flattered Chelsea and United deserved their goal, which came when Hernandez diverted Jones’ scuffed shot into the net at the far post with 11 minutes remaining.
But Chelsea remained resolute and, as the away team’s frustration grew at the inevitable defeat, Vidic was dismissed and Rafael was very lucky not to be sent off for a two-footed lunge on Cahill.
Chelsea move back up to within two points of Premier League leaders Arsenal and are now 12 points clear of United.
Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Cech; Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Azpilicueta; Ramires, Luiz; Willian (Matic 85), Oscar (Mikel 68), Hazard; Eto’o (Torres 79).
Subs not used: Schwarzer, Cole, Lampard, Mata.
Follow West London Sport on Twitter
Find us on Facebook
This post was last modified on 20/01/2014