Chelsea can go one step closer to Premier League glory, as they face Manchester United at Stamford Bridge. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 2:15am (AEST).
Seven games to go, four wins and 12 points – that’s the equation for Chelsea to win the Premier League title after a five-year gap.
With no other domestic or European distractions to concern themselves with, the Blues can target six of the 12 points required with the next two blockbuster fixtures, against Manchester United and Arsenal.
Of course, victory is desired but not essential – such is the comfort of Chelsea’s position given a seven-point lead over second-placed Arsenal with a game in hand.
Spared blushes against Queens Park Rangers last weekend via Cesc Fabregas’ winner, the Blues need only deny their next two opponents’ momentum to prevent any late title charge.
The late win at Loftus Road came via only one shot on target. With Diego Costa unlikely to feature due to a hamstring injury, Jose Mourinho may opt to insert Loic Remy straight into the starting XI in place of Didier Drogba, who was ineffective against QPR. The alternative is for Mourinho to opt for a false 9, with both Eden Hazard and Fabregas able to fill such a role.
Of greater significance will be the defence. Faced against the likes of Wayne Rooney, former Chelsea star Juan Mata and the large presence of Marouane Fellaini, Mourinho’s key player may be Nemanja Matic in the defensive midfield to stop the pinpoint passes of Michael Carrick and Ander Herrera.
Furthermore, Chelsea’s supreme position may allow Mourinho to play a second defensive midfield option in John Obi Mikel. The back four will comprise captain John Terry and Gary Cahill, while the more defensive-minded Filipe Luis may be chosen ahead of Cesar Azpilicueta.
For Manchester United, safety inside the top four is realistic, but with four straight wins, and sitting eight points behind Chelsea, certain quarters at Old Trafford have even mooted an ambitious late title charge.
As unlikely as that is, there is little question that victory at Stamford Bridge may herald far more promising times in season two of the Louis van Gaal era – one in which he has had to overcome a sometimes leaky defence to mount a late-season charge up the ladder.
Previously-thought liabilities Ashley Young and Fellaini have become critical assets to Van Gaal’s best set-up, while the heavily priced Angel di Maria and expensive loanee Radamel Falcao have been made expendable. Don’t expect Van Gaal to tinker too much with his formula – one in which Carrick and Fellaini have been central to United’s recent rise.
Another finding his groove has been Ander Herrera in midfield, while Van Gaal has finally found fruit from experiments to play Mata out wide. Facing the club for whom he was twice named player of the season, Mata will relish the chance to throw a hiccup in Chelsea’s title challenge, and prove the man who jettisoned him that he was wrong to do so.
Despite this, Mourinho’s record at Stamford Bridge is imposing – not even Sir Alex Ferguson could best the Portuguese in West London.
United will not lack confidence, but Chelsea’s motivation this game should be greater than their opponents, and that should see them secure victory and take another big step towards glory.
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
Thanks for your company. Join me next week, as I bring you the next of Chelsea's big games, this time a visit to the Emirates, as they meet Arsenal next Monday morning at 1am AEST. A win there, and it may be enough for Chelsea to confirm the champions mantle. At Stamford Bridge today though, it finished Chelsea 1-0 Manchester United. Good morning!
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
Here is the table now. Chelsea make up their game in hand on Arsenal, and are in front by 10 points. They surely cannot be caught now? Chelsea (P32, 76pts, +39) Arsenal (P32, 66pts, +31) Manchester United (P33, 65pts, +28) Manchester City (P32, 61pts, +31) Liverpool (P32, 57pts, +11) Southampton (P33, 56pts, +21) Tottenham Hotspur (P32, 54pts, +4) Swansea City (P33, 47pts, -4) Stoke City (P33, 46pts, -3) West Ham United (P32, 43pts, +2) Crystal Palace (P33, 42pts, -3) Everton (P33, 41pts, -2) West Bromwich Albion (P33, 36pts, -14) Newcastle United (P32, 35pts, -18) Aston Villa (P32, 32pts, -21) Sunderland (P32, 29pts, -23) Hull City (P32, 28pts, -16) Leicester City (P32, 28pts, -17) Queens Park Rangers (P33, 26pts, -21) Burnley (P33, 26pts, -25)
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
FULLTIME: Chelsea 1-0 Manchester United Before we go into the post-match, a word about that final moment there involving Ander Herrera and Gary Cahill. While there was contact from the centre back, Cahill looked to have stood his ground, and Herrera did make contact, but made the fall a truly dramatic one. All in all, it was the right call by Mike Dean to not fall for the penalty claim, as it did look every bit a dive. But put that aside. Chelsea are looking every bit champions-elect. In the end, only one moment was needed, and Eden Hazard duly delivered in the first half. Apart from that, Chelsea repelled wave after wave of United attack, and regardless of how much they have spent this season, they could not penetrate this Chelsea defence in 180 minutes of football this season. FULLTIME: Chelsea 1-0 Manchester United
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'90+4: The final minute of stoppage time this is, but we may get another for the two substitutions. This really is last chance saloon for Manchester United, as the Stamford Bridge faithful urge the final whistle to come on. Now drama! Herrera falls inside the penalty area, but Mike Dean has actually penalised the Spaniard, and shown him yellow for simulation! He and Cahill butt heads, and that should be it. IT SURELY IS NOW! Chelsea take three points, and may only be one or two wins away from their ultimate glory! FULLTIME: Chelsea 1-0 Manchester United
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Roar Guru
'90+3: Game management at it's best. Next stoppage, Mourinho withdraws the likely matchwinner Eden Hazard, as Willian comes on. Chelsea 1-0 Manchester United
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Roar Guru
'90+2: Here are the changes. Cesc Fabregas withdraws the face mask, as we see the man behind it. He gets a cheer around Stamford Bridge. What a story it will be for the man who could not win the title at Arsenal, to win at his first season at Chelsea. For now, he's the only change, as Willian is held back. Mikel is on. Chelsea 1-0 Manchester United
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Roar Guru
'90: We're into the final minute. Can the presence of Sir Alex Ferguson in the stands inspire a late-United fightback that he made his trademark? Probably not, as Hazard goes to ground, and clutches at his head. Accidental knee to the head from Smalling, and even if there was contact, there is going to be little incentive to get up in a hurry. Chelsea ready to bring on John Obi Mikel and Willian to see out stoppage time - four minutes it is. Chelsea 1-0 Manchester United
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Roar Guru
'88: Well, what a play from John Terry! If anything is to sum up his unquenchable hunger for success, it is this challenge to circumvent the long range Angel di Maria shot, as the Argentine had time and space to launch a bullet from afar. But Terry spotted the opportunity, and snuffed it out with ease! Minutes remaining, as Chelsea edge closer to their dream. Still work to do, and Arsenal will have their say too, but this title you feel is Chelsea's to lose. Chelsea 1-0 Manchester United
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'86: Free kick for Chelsea is delivered and cleared by Fellaini. Chelsea only commit four blue shirts for the free kick, such is their desire not to be exposed on the counter. de Gea will take a goalkick quickly. United continue to harry and press for this equaliser that may not come. Chelsea 1-0 Manchester United
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Roar Guru
'85: di Maria tries to find Falcao with a long ball, but the Colombian is offside. Good call there, the replay proves. Five minutes to hold out for Chelsea. Chelsea 1-0 Manchester United
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Roar Guru
'83: di Maria earns a corner off Ivanovic's deflection. Time running out for Manchester United. di Maria finds Rooney unmarked, and the header is over! What a chance that was, as United's captain was not picked up in the box, and had a clear header at the height and width of Courtois' goal, but couldn't hit the target! Chelsea 1-0 Manchester United
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'80: We're into the final 10 at Stamford Bridge, and Fellaini is offside. Final change is a telling one by van Gaal. Tyler Blackett is brought on as a like-for-like replacement for Luke Shaw. Is this is a white flag, or a sign that Shaw cannot continue at the speed of the current contest? Chelsea 1-0 Manchester United
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Roar Guru
'77: OFF THE POST! Falcao runs into a good ball from midfield, but has to beat Courtois at his near post, and can only get the corner off the post, as it deflects out for a goal kick. United's desperation from an equaliser not reaping any clear chances or saves from Chelsea's keeper. Chelsea 1-0 Manchester United
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Roar Guru
'75: Intensity dropping amongst the United players, as Chelsea looking comfortable. Chelsea 1-0 Manchester United
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Roar Guru
'71: From the throw, Falcao has a ball aimed for by Fellaini, but is read well by Gary Cahill, who is able to get the foot into Falcao's attempted shot. Great anticipation from Cahill there. Chelsea 1-0 Manchester United
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Roar Guru
'70: Good ball from Valencia is headed away for a United throw, as the visitors make two attacking changes. Off comes Mata and Young, and on are Adnan Januzaj and Angel di Maria. Juan Mata for his part is cheered off by both set of supporters. Widely popular player he was in these parts, and the Chelsea fans were sad to see him go. Chelsea 1-0 Manchester United
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Roar Guru
'69: Another long range effort, this time from Rooney, is collected by Courtois, albeit after a minor fumble. United not able to get any player in behind the Chelsea back four, hence the reliance on the brilliant as opposed to the incisive attack. Chelsea 1-0 Manchester United
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Roar Guru
'67: Falcao in space has a pop from 25 yards out! Wide, but the chance was on, as the Chelsea defence was holding off the Colombian. Oscar is now done, as he finishes with an assist to his name for Hazard's goal. He is replaced by his fellow Brazilian Ramires. Chelsea 1-0 Manchester United
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'64: Shaw again effective on the left hand side, as he delivers for Fellaini, whose layoff for Rooney is shot at, and deflected for a corner. Cleared by Chelsea, and now Ivanovic now gives it back to Smalling. Chelsea being easily outplayed in possession here. A risky ploy with only a goal advantage. Chelsea 1-0 Manchester United
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'63: Cynical fouls pile up, as Oscar now enters the book. Four Chelsea players on cautions. United yet to receive one. Chelsea 1-0 Manchester United