Chelsea will be out to halt Manchester United’s mini-resurgence when the two sides meet at Stamford Bridge. Join us for live scores and commentary from 3.00am AEDT.
Jose Mourinho nicknamed himself ‘The Godfather’ in returning for his second spell in West London shortly after Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United exit.
The ex-Porto boss is yet to taste defeat against a Premier League title rival this season, with a victory on Sunday sure to raise further awkward questions over whether David Moyes is up to the job.
Moyes has encountered problems in strengthen the United squad while Mourinho brought central midfielder Nemanja Matic back to Stamford Bridge this week for a fee of £22 million.
Team News
Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard may return from his calf injury for the clash with Manchester United.
Right-back Branislav Ivanovic is unlikely to feature as only returned to training on Friday following his knee problem.
New signing Nemanja Matic has been added to the squad but Jose Mourinho insists he will not start.
However, Mourinho may have no choice but to start the combative midfielder, through his assertion that he does not want to play David Luiz in the holding-role, certainly with ongoing question-marks over John Obi Mikel’s contribution to the Blues midfield.
Wayne Rooney has had a groin injury and was last week sent on warm weather training. Although he has commenced running again, the forward has not featured for United since their 2-1 defeat to Tottenham on New Year’s Day.
Ex-Arsenal man Robin Van Persie may be able return to training on Monday after nearly six weeks on the sidelines – but will definitely miss this clash.
United are aiming for their sixth win out of seven in the Premier League. However Moyes has never won a head-to-head meeting with Jose Mourinho.
Stats
United have won only five of their 20 games in the Premier League at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea go into the game on a good run of form and with a great recent record against The Red Devils winning four on the bounce in the league, which has contributed to an unbeaten against United in their last five meetings, three of which they triumphed in.
United got back to winning ways last weekend’s against Swansea, ending a run of three straight losses in all competitions, as they remain five points adrift of the top four Champions League positions.
United have failed to score against the West Londoners in the last three times the fixture has been played. Chelsea have won their last four league games.
United have only won once in their last 11 visits to Stamford Bridge in the Premier League.
The Blues remain unbeaten at home in the Premier League this season, while United have not lost their last seven away games in the Premier League.
Last Three Meetings
Manchester United 0 Chelsea 0, Premier League, August 2013
Manchester United 0 Chelsea 1 (Mata), Premier League, May 2013
Chelsea 1 (Ba) Manchester United 0, FA Cup, April 2013
DJW
Guest
The wheels are coming of the Man Utd bangwagon. Wonder how many of UTD bandwagon fans would of jumped on Arsenal, Chelase or even City by the end of the season..
AZ_RBB
Guest
Another woeful performance it seems. Only a few days left in the transfer window and it doesn't seem like anyone is coming to Old Trafford. amateurish defending every week doesn't help the cause. Easily the biggest challenge the club has faced in over 20 years. No reason they can't bounce back.
Layth Yousif
Roar Guru
FINAL SCORE Chelsea 3 Manchester United 1 So that's United's seventh defeat of the season. Offensively they have played far worse and won but their shocking defensive display must give Moyes and United fans around the world great cause for concern. Anyone can have a bad day at the office but their tactical discipline, summed up by those two late shocking tackles are simply not good enough for a club of United's standards and stature. If you add Evra limping off, a three match ban for Vidic, and Wayne Rooney & Robin van Persie still out injured it is difficult not to wonder about a huge impending problem in terms of qualifying for the Champions League. And if that's the case then the Glaziers, who need the CL revenue to service the club's ongoing debts will not be very impressed with David Moyes - a decent man, who, you begin to wonder, has been promoted far above his abilities. Chelsea for their part did what they had to do. They were clinical and effective without being especially flamboyant. But then they don't need to be - they're two points behind leaders Arsena and one behind City. Keep reading The Roar to find out how the most open title race for years will end up. Thanks for your company as ever - and don't forget to tweet or email your opinions, rants and riffs to The Roar or myself @laythy29 cheers
Layth Yousif
Roar Guru
90 +5 mins FULL TIME 3-1 Chelsea v Manchester United United end with a chastening defeat that leaves them seventh in the table, a huge 14 points behind the leaders - and perhaps more importantly six off the Champions League places.
Layth Yousif
Roar Guru
90+5 mins 3-1 Chelsea The wheels are coming off for an undisciplined United teams in the dying stages. If you thought Vidic deserved a straight red then what Rafael has just done to Cahill is even more deserving of a straight red - yet inexplicably gets away with a yellow. We've all played football - to lunge in two footed with studs raised is as cowardly as it is unacceptable. Should have been another red there for United. The fact they aren't down to nine men is about the only piece of luck they've had all day.
Layth Yousif
Roar Guru
90 mins Chelsea 3-1 Oh dear. Oh dear me. Do you really want to know what just happened United fans? To cap an awful day for Manchester United, captain Vidic has now been sent off for completely and unnecessarily taking out Hazard. That was a straight red for him. He might be frustrated but that is shocking. That will cost him a three match ban taking out a man at knee height. Disrespectful to his manager, his team mates and his club. Moyes looks like a man who needs to lie in a darkened room.
Layth Yousif
Roar Guru
86 min 3-1 Chelsea Nemanja Matic comes on for his second Blues debut as he replaces Willian Did you know it has been 1351 days since Nemanja Matic's last appearance for Chelsea in the Premier League. No? Well there you go then...
Layth Yousif
Roar Guru
83 mins 3-1 Chelsea Hernandez plays a long pass to Smalling as defender plays a first-time volley into the box. Unfortunatey for such a decent flash of technique no Red Devils are in the area to finish a good move from United. On a different point I have to say Ramires has been everywhere today, his levels of fitness are superb.
Layth Yousif
Roar Guru
79 mins 3-1 Chelsea Hattrick hero Samuel Eto'o goes off to a thunderous reception as Fernando Torres replaces him.
Layth Yousif
Roar Guru
78 mins 3-1 Chelsea Javier Hernandez who has looked lively since coming on has now scored in seven of his last 10 appearances in all competitions against Chelsea. Mourinho does not look impressed at his team conceding. Not impressed at all.
Layth Yousif
Roar Guru
78 mins GOAL Chelsea 3-1 Javier Hernandez nets ensuring United trouble the scorers today. He showed typically good anticipation by sliding in to aim Jones' shot past Cech from close range. Chelsea are under the cosh as United's confidence is up again. A second United goal would make the last 12 minutes very interesting...
Layth Yousif
Roar Guru
68 mins 3-0 Chelsea Mikel replaces Oscar, as Mourinho looks to close the game out. You feel he should go for the jugular rather than sit back as United still look relatively dangerous - going forward at least...
Layth Yousif
Roar Guru
66 mins 3-0 Chelsea What would have really upset the United fans is the slack marking and anticipation by the United defence for Eto'o's goal. So unlike the United we knew under Fergie. Is Moyes the 21st century version of United's Wilf McGuiness and/or Frank O'Farrell - for his sake we hope not...
Layth Yousif
Roar Guru
63 mins 3-0 Chelsea *Random stat alert* Samuel Eto'o's hattrick today is the 25th treble by an African player in the Premier League. *As you were*...
Layth Yousif
Roar Guru
62 mins 3-0 Chelsea Hazard on the left come inside, easing past Smalling as if he wasn't there,and shoots - but the shot comes off Carrick for a corner which comes to nothing.
Layth Yousif
Roar Guru
60 mins 3-0 Chelsea Ramires fires well over from 30 yards. On another point surely could Moyes have brought an attacking player and moved Jones to right back instead of brining on another defender for Evra? Surely United don't do damage limitation?
Layth Yousif
Roar Guru
57 mins 3-0 Chelsea United fans at Stamford Bridge, perhaps knowing the game is up, are loud and defiant in their singing. To fair United's away support has always been impressive. They are certainly showing it today.
Layth Yousif
Roar Guru
56 mins. 3-0 Chelsea Substitution for United - Chicharito replaces the ineffectual Young as Chelsea fans make a noise that sounds like a mix between booing and derision - presumably aimed at Young...
Layth Yousif
Roar Guru
55 mins 3-0 Chelsea That was very poor defending from United for the third goal. Very poor. David Moyes' body language says it all: he has his arms folded and is looking completely devastated.
Layth Yousif
Roar Guru
54 mins 3-0 Chelsea Yellow card: Antonio Valencia. The Ecuadorian is booked for tripping Cesar Azpilicueta