Chelsea against Manchester United

A few stray passes at the wrong moment from United as they come forward again. They must be knackered.

Rooney wastes possession when he had space on the right of the area. Still space everywhere on the field.

They are and they could have won it through Meireles - he has a free header from eight yards but got ahead of it slightly and can't direct it on target.

Are Chelsea going to change their plan and try to win this now?

This really is a fabulous game of football. Five minutes to find a winner.

Fantastic from United! A length of the pitch move, Rooney's shot is blocked but Giggs collects and crosses for Hernandez, who is free four yards out. A powerful header brings us level!

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

Fergie already tapping his watch, complaining of Chelsea's delaying tactics.

A nice interchange between Evra and Giggs results in a corner.

Cahill blocks Welbeck's fierce shot well, then heads a cross clear. He's growing into it.

Chelsea a bit more modest in their approach now, far less space for United to operate in. Romeu has helped.

A superb example of a man who has lost his instinct. He had a chance to shoot from ten yards yet he tries to walk it in. His confidence is in bits.

Torres fluffs his big chance. It was on a plate for him but though he takes a good couple of touches to work a shooting chance, he overplays it and is crowded out. 40,000 moan in frustration.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2012/0205/davidluizheaderoffrioferdinand_275x155.jpg"> <br>David Luiz's header goes in off Rio Ferdinand

What a chance for Hernandez! Romeu gives the ball away, Rooney finds Hernandez inside the area but with Luiz in attendabce he fires wide of Cech's far post.

Still plenty of gaps for Chelsea to exploit though, as United stream forward. Essien tries a shot from range there but it flies well over the bar. Cracking game.

The booing of Rio Ferdinand continues. Really poor form from Chelsea's fans.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Romeu replaces Sturridge.

Well, Howard Webb was brave with that last award, Welbeck made sure he made contact with Ivanovic, who had got to the end of his sliding tackle without touching either ball or man.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> Rooney goes the other way and there is only a goal in this game!

<b>Man Utd penalty</b> Welbeck clipped by Ivanovic, and that one is soft.

Scholes has made a difference already and he sets Rooney off, who swaps passes with Hernandez and forces Cech into a low save.

A fabulous pass from Luiz sets Malouda away but though Torres is waiting for a cutback, the ball is poor and Valencia gets a touch on it, but it does fall for Mata but his shot is right at De Gea.

Chelsea look they are happy to go blow for blow with Man Utd, who are pouring forward at every opportunity. No thought of sitting back.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Scholes comes on for Rafael, presumably with Valencia going to right back.

Carrick bursts 30 yards to the edge of the box and very nearly finds Welbeck inside the area.

This should be a cracking half an hour of football now.

I would like to revise my opinion on the penalty having seen the replay - stone-waller. Sturridge kicked Evra's foot and got nothing of the ball.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> Rooney nearly takes the net off! Game on!

<b>Man Utd penalty</b> Sturridge on Evra and that is a soft penalty I think.

A mistake from Ferdinand should have been punished by Mata and Torres but both couldn't get rid of the ball quick enough and Carrick gets back.

These goals not helping MAnchester United either, as goal difference could be important in the battle with City. Here's our <a href="http://soccernet.espn.go.com/tables/live/_/league/eng.1/barclays-premier-league?cc=5739" target="_blank">live Premier League table</a>.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Fergie reacts as Hernandez replaces Ashley Young.

Well stone me - two goals in five minutes and all of a sudden United looked dead and buried. They just didn't turn up for the restart. Chelsea fans lapping it up.

Mata's free kick finds Luiz totally unmarked, his glancing header flicks off Ferdinand and flies into the top corner. Wow.

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

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Evra gets a card for stopping Sturridge in his tracks. Not an ideal start to the half for Man Utd, who bossed most of the first.

Excellent cross from Torres too - that will give him a lift.

Well, that makes a mockery of whatever Fergie said at half time. What a finish from Mata - more of a sidefoot volley than one with the laces. Sublime.

What a strike! Torres crosses superbly from the right and Mata smashes this on the volley into the roof of the net. Unstoppable.

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

We begin again...

Today's other game was settled by the Toon's new number nine, Papiss Cisse, as his wonder-goal helped Newcastle to a 2-1 win over Villa. <a href="http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=318091&cc=5739" target="_blank">Read our match report here</a>.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2012/0205/sturridgecelebvmanutd_275x155.jpg"><br>Daniel Sturridge celebrates putting Chelsea in front

<b>Half time</b> A breathless end to the half as United pile on the pressure and Rooney forces Cech into a low save. Chelsea lead but they've been hanging on for a lot of the opening 45 minutes.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Ivanovic is carded for a body check on Young and Rooney slams the ball into the ground in frustration. Now another free kick for United.

Essien closes Rafael down well after Giggs had run into a dead end.

Evra's run is stopped by Ivanovic and Chelsea were on the break but Howard Webb stops play, much to the disgust of the home support. I thought immediate stoppages were only for head injuries?

Intense pressure from United but Chelsea break...

Now Welbeck tests Cech as he tries to find Rooney, the ball comes back to him off Luiz and his strike is parried by the big stopper.

A great burst from Giggs but a poor final ball as Welbeck lurked on the shoulder of Cahill.

Young forces Cech into a decent save now as the visitors try to assert themselves - the keeper did well not to palm it out to the waiting Rooney.

That will sting United - they've been the better team but haven't made it count.

Now Sturridge forces a smart save from De Gea with a shot from outside the box. Chelsea have come alive!

Sturridge gets in down the right, gets towards the near post and fires it back where Evans has not time to get out of the way. The ball hits his arm and trickles in.

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

Chelsea not getting enough from Torres. He keeps wandering out wide when they need him as a focal point up front.

Cahill still not looking particularly settled. Playing next to Luiz, the livewire, probably doesn't help.

Evra takes an Ivanovic cross full in the face before Rooney draws a foul.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Torres gets a yellow card for barging Evans, who was shielding the ball back to his keeper. Bit harsh I think, Evans stopped to block him.

Chelsea try to break from the corner but the ball comes right back - Manchester United firmly on top here.

Superb from Ivanovic as Rooney springs the offside trap, he gets into the box and neglects shooting in favour of a pass for Welbeck at the far post, until Ivanovic intervenes. Corner.

Young tries to get in round the back of Ivanovic but the defender does well to win a goal kick.

Rooney's ball very nearly finds Young but the winger had strayed offside. Then Webb calls Evra over to get the captain to tell the rest of his team-mates to cut out the dissent towards the referee.

De Gea punches again as a Mata free kick heads towards Cahill at the far post.

Evans is on his toes to head clear a looping ball that Mata was lurking to pot home.

Rafael, who has started well, gets a talking to for barging Malouda over.

A decent game so far, but a lack of finesse in the final third.

Ferdinand's every touch being booed. Poor form from the Chelsea fans, in my humble opinion.

A good turn from Torres as he collects the ball from Mata but he squirts his shot seven yards wide of the target from 25 yards. Standard.

Two poor balls into the box from Chelsea, from Meireles then Sturridge. No quality in the final third for the home side yet.

Torres wins a free kick from Young, who has made several fouls already.

When United haven't got the ball Rooney drops back to become a fifth man in midfield.

Another spell of United pressure, as they try to find space on the edge of the box. That moves ends with a deflected Young shot saved by Cech.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2012/0205/rioferdinandterrybanner_275x155.jpg"> <br>Rio Ferdinand, brother of Anton, was booed by some Chelsea fans

Replays appear to suggest Cahill didn't make contact with the ball, and Howard Webb was well placed to see that. Still unsure as to whether it was a penalty or not. If pressed, I'd say yes.

Cahill now strokes the ball out of play under no pressure - not a confident start from the former Bolton man.

Very nearly another chance for Welbeck as Rooney flicks the ball into the box - but the flag is up.

Now is that a penalty? Welbeck gets the ball first, then is caught by Cahill on the slide as they move into the box. United howl for a spot kick. Could well have been.

Bosingwa tries to test the brittle De Gea with a long shot but the keeper is right behind it on the bounce.

Scrappy from United on the edge of Chelsea's box - it looks like Young might get through at one stage before Luiz holds him up then the winger dives shamelessly and should be booked for that.

The first flap of the day from De Gea, who miscues a punch when he had time to catch the ball. Then Meireles isn't far away from embarrassing him at the near post with a shot from a tight angle.

His effort did take a nick though and Chelsea win the corner, Mata's is cleared but Malouda's effort deflects behind again.

A pitiful effort from Sturridge, no backlift but no power and a waste of decent possession.

Sturridge takes on Evra, which could be a key contest, but his cross is poor and De Gea claims.

A poor pass from Rooney is followed by a poor ball from Malouda, when he had time and space to pick a good one. Torres then fouls Evans. Open start.

Rooney takes the shot on and tries to beat Cech at the near post. Had it been on target it might have had a chance, but it wasn't.

Evra wins a free kick off Essien on the corner of the penalty area.

<b>Kick off</b>

Rio Ferdinand's name wasn't greeted particularly well by the CHelsea fans as the teams were read out. Could be plenty of spice in this one. We are poised for kick off...

De Gea is back for Man Utd, as is Ashley Young after a long spell out. Wayne Rooney returns and partners Danny Welbeck. Sir Alex is clearly going for it.

AVB hands a Chelsea debut to Gary Cahill having decided not to play him until now, and he's gone for Bosingwa at left back instead of young Ryan Bertrand. Michael Essien starts too.

Right, so after Newcastle pulled level with Chelsea after their <a href="/report/_/id/318091" target="_blank">2-1 win over Aston Villa</a>, there is an added incentive for AVB's men to beat Manchester United today.

<b>Man Utd</b>: De Gea, Rafael, Evans, Ferdinand, Evra, Valencia, Carrick, Giggs, Young, Welbeck, Rooney. Subs: Subs: Amos, Berbatov, Park, Hernandez, Fabio Da Silva, Scholes, Pogba.

<b>Chelsea</b>: Cech, Ivanovic, Cahill, Luiz, Bosingwa, Essien, Meireles, Malouda, Sturridge, Torres, Mata. Subs: Turnbull, Ferreira, Bertrand, Hutchinson, Romeu, Piazon, Lukaku.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2012/0119/garycahillwithcfcshirt20120116_275x155.jpg"><br> Could Gary Cahill get his first Chelsea start against the champions today? Kick off is at 16.00pm BST and we'll have live coverage.

What a chance for Hernandez! Romeu gives the ball away, Rooney finds Hernandez inside the area but with Luiz in attendabce he fires wide of Cech's far post.

Still plenty of gaps for Chelsea to exploit though, as United stream forward. Essien tries a shot from range there but it flies well over the bar. Cracking game.

The booing of Rio Ferdinand continues. Really poor form from Chelsea's fans.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Romeu replaces Sturridge.

Well, Howard Webb was brave with that last award, Welbeck made sure he made contact with Ivanovic, who had got to the end of his sliding tackle without touching either ball or man.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> Rooney goes the other way and there is only a goal in this game!

<b>Man Utd penalty</b> Welbeck clipped by Ivanovic, and that one is soft.

Scholes has made a difference already and he sets Rooney off, who swaps passes with Hernandez and forces Cech into a low save.

A fabulous pass from Luiz sets Malouda away but though Torres is waiting for a cutback, the ball is poor and Valencia gets a touch on it, but it does fall for Mata but his shot is right at De Gea.

Chelsea look they are happy to go blow for blow with Man Utd, who are pouring forward at every opportunity. No thought of sitting back.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Scholes comes on for Rafael, presumably with Valencia going to right back.

Carrick bursts 30 yards to the edge of the box and very nearly finds Welbeck inside the area.

This should be a cracking half an hour of football now.

I would like to revise my opinion on the penalty having seen the replay - stone-waller. Sturridge kicked Evra's foot and got nothing of the ball.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> Rooney nearly takes the net off! Game on!

<b>Man Utd penalty</b> Sturridge on Evra and that is a soft penalty I think.

A mistake from Ferdinand should have been punished by Mata and Torres but both couldn't get rid of the ball quick enough and Carrick gets back.

These goals not helping MAnchester United either, as goal difference could be important in the battle with City. Here's our <a href="http://soccernet.espn.go.com/tables/live/_/league/eng.1/barclays-premier-league?cc=5739" target="_blank">live Premier League table</a>.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Fergie reacts as Hernandez replaces Ashley Young.

Well stone me - two goals in five minutes and all of a sudden United looked dead and buried. They just didn't turn up for the restart. Chelsea fans lapping it up.

Mata's free kick finds Luiz totally unmarked, his glancing header flicks off Ferdinand and flies into the top corner. Wow.

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

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Evra gets a card for stopping Sturridge in his tracks. Not an ideal start to the half for Man Utd, who bossed most of the first.

Excellent cross from Torres too - that will give him a lift.

Well, that makes a mockery of whatever Fergie said at half time. What a finish from Mata - more of a sidefoot volley than one with the laces. Sublime.

What a strike! Torres crosses superbly from the right and Mata smashes this on the volley into the roof of the net. Unstoppable.

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

We begin again...

Today's other game was settled by the Toon's new number nine, Papiss Cisse, as his wonder-goal helped Newcastle to a 2-1 win over Villa. <a href="http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=318091&cc=5739" target="_blank">Read our match report here</a>.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2012/0205/sturridgecelebvmanutd_275x155.jpg"><br>Daniel Sturridge celebrates putting Chelsea in front

<b>Half time</b> A breathless end to the half as United pile on the pressure and Rooney forces Cech into a low save. Chelsea lead but they've been hanging on for a lot of the opening 45 minutes.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Ivanovic is carded for a body check on Young and Rooney slams the ball into the ground in frustration. Now another free kick for United.

Essien closes Rafael down well after Giggs had run into a dead end.

Evra's run is stopped by Ivanovic and Chelsea were on the break but Howard Webb stops play, much to the disgust of the home support. I thought immediate stoppages were only for head injuries?

Intense pressure from United but Chelsea break...

Now Welbeck tests Cech as he tries to find Rooney, the ball comes back to him off Luiz and his strike is parried by the big stopper.

A great burst from Giggs but a poor final ball as Welbeck lurked on the shoulder of Cahill.

Young forces Cech into a decent save now as the visitors try to assert themselves - the keeper did well not to palm it out to the waiting Rooney.

That will sting United - they've been the better team but haven't made it count.

Now Sturridge forces a smart save from De Gea with a shot from outside the box. Chelsea have come alive!

Sturridge gets in down the right, gets towards the near post and fires it back where Evans has not time to get out of the way. The ball hits his arm and trickles in.

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

Chelsea not getting enough from Torres. He keeps wandering out wide when they need him as a focal point up front.

Cahill still not looking particularly settled. Playing next to Luiz, the livewire, probably doesn't help.

Evra takes an Ivanovic cross full in the face before Rooney draws a foul.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Torres gets a yellow card for barging Evans, who was shielding the ball back to his keeper. Bit harsh I think, Evans stopped to block him.

Chelsea try to break from the corner but the ball comes right back - Manchester United firmly on top here.

Superb from Ivanovic as Rooney springs the offside trap, he gets into the box and neglects shooting in favour of a pass for Welbeck at the far post, until Ivanovic intervenes. Corner.

Young tries to get in round the back of Ivanovic but the defender does well to win a goal kick.

Rooney's ball very nearly finds Young but the winger had strayed offside. Then Webb calls Evra over to get the captain to tell the rest of his team-mates to cut out the dissent towards the referee.

De Gea punches again as a Mata free kick heads towards Cahill at the far post.

Evans is on his toes to head clear a looping ball that Mata was lurking to pot home.

Rafael, who has started well, gets a talking to for barging Malouda over.

A decent game so far, but a lack of finesse in the final third.

Ferdinand's every touch being booed. Poor form from the Chelsea fans, in my humble opinion.

A good turn from Torres as he collects the ball from Mata but he squirts his shot seven yards wide of the target from 25 yards. Standard.

Two poor balls into the box from Chelsea, from Meireles then Sturridge. No quality in the final third for the home side yet.

Torres wins a free kick from Young, who has made several fouls already.

When United haven't got the ball Rooney drops back to become a fifth man in midfield.

Another spell of United pressure, as they try to find space on the edge of the box. That moves ends with a deflected Young shot saved by Cech.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2012/0205/rioferdinandterrybanner_275x155.jpg"> <br>Rio Ferdinand, brother of Anton, was booed by some Chelsea fans

Replays appear to suggest Cahill didn't make contact with the ball, and Howard Webb was well placed to see that. Still unsure as to whether it was a penalty or not. If pressed, I'd say yes.

Cahill now strokes the ball out of play under no pressure - not a confident start from the former Bolton man.

Very nearly another chance for Welbeck as Rooney flicks the ball into the box - but the flag is up.

Now is that a penalty? Welbeck gets the ball first, then is caught by Cahill on the slide as they move into the box. United howl for a spot kick. Could well have been.

Bosingwa tries to test the brittle De Gea with a long shot but the keeper is right behind it on the bounce.

Scrappy from United on the edge of Chelsea's box - it looks like Young might get through at one stage before Luiz holds him up then the winger dives shamelessly and should be booked for that.

The first flap of the day from De Gea, who miscues a punch when he had time to catch the ball. Then Meireles isn't far away from embarrassing him at the near post with a shot from a tight angle.

His effort did take a nick though and Chelsea win the corner, Mata's is cleared but Malouda's effort deflects behind again.

A pitiful effort from Sturridge, no backlift but no power and a waste of decent possession.

Sturridge takes on Evra, which could be a key contest, but his cross is poor and De Gea claims.

A poor pass from Rooney is followed by a poor ball from Malouda, when he had time and space to pick a good one. Torres then fouls Evans. Open start.

Rooney takes the shot on and tries to beat Cech at the near post. Had it been on target it might have had a chance, but it wasn't.

Evra wins a free kick off Essien on the corner of the penalty area.

<b>Kick off</b>

Rio Ferdinand's name wasn't greeted particularly well by the CHelsea fans as the teams were read out. Could be plenty of spice in this one. We are poised for kick off...

De Gea is back for Man Utd, as is Ashley Young after a long spell out. Wayne Rooney returns and partners Danny Welbeck. Sir Alex is clearly going for it.

AVB hands a Chelsea debut to Gary Cahill having decided not to play him until now, and he's gone for Bosingwa at left back instead of young Ryan Bertrand. Michael Essien starts too.

Right, so after Newcastle pulled level with Chelsea after their <a href="/report/_/id/318091" target="_blank">2-1 win over Aston Villa</a>, there is an added incentive for AVB's men to beat Manchester United today.

<b>Man Utd</b>: De Gea, Rafael, Evans, Ferdinand, Evra, Valencia, Carrick, Giggs, Young, Welbeck, Rooney. Subs: Subs: Amos, Berbatov, Park, Hernandez, Fabio Da Silva, Scholes, Pogba.

<b>Chelsea</b>: Cech, Ivanovic, Cahill, Luiz, Bosingwa, Essien, Meireles, Malouda, Sturridge, Torres, Mata. Subs: Turnbull, Ferreira, Bertrand, Hutchinson, Romeu, Piazon, Lukaku.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2012/0119/garycahillwithcfcshirt20120116_275x155.jpg"><br> Could Gary Cahill get his first Chelsea start against the champions today? Kick off is at 16.00pm BST and we'll have live coverage.