Samuel Eto’o produced a magnificent display as his first premier league hatrick helped Chelsea to a 3-1 victory over Manchester United at Stamford Bridge.
The win leaves them third in the Premier League, trailing leaders Arsenal by just two points, and gives them six points’ breathing space over fourth place Liverpool.
Chelsea were the bookies’ favorites to win, but United started brightly much to the surprise of the Stamford Bridge outfit.
They soon forced Petr Cech into an early save after great link up play between Welbeck and Young, with the latter forcing the Chelsea keeper’s hand.
United were brilliant during the first 15 minutes, but against the run of play on the 17th minute a piece of individual brilliance came from Eto’o.
Eto’o hatrick
Cutting inside from the right wing, he saw his left footed strike deflect off Carrick and loop over a helpless David De Gea to make it 1-0.
De Gea could do little about Chelsea’s second after a poor defensive showing from United allowed Ramires to pass to the unmarked Cahill, who teed up Eto’o for an easy tap in for his and Chelsea’s second goal.
It was a sucker punch for David Moyes’ side who conceded just before the end of the first half.
Just minutes after the restart and United again found themselves wanting defensively, with Chelsea earning a corner in the early stages.
The following corner met the head of Cahill and, although it was wonderfully saved by De Gea, it fell to Eto’o for another easy finish to cap off his hat-trick.
Manchester United did eventually get on the score sheet, the substitute Javier Hernandez poking in a ball from Phil Jones, but it proved to be nothing more than a consolation goal for the Red Devils.
United’s afternoon was compounded when skipper Nemanja Vidic was given a straight red card for a challenge on Hazard.
Replays show it might have been a slightly harsh decision but Vidic was very late on the challenge and got none of the ball.
If United were unlucky with Vidic’s decision, minutes later they were counting their luck when Rafael went in for a challenge on Gary Cahill.
Rafael cleanly got the ball but both feet were off the ground and the studs were showing.
Had the challenge had been late it would have potentially ruined Cahill’s world cup aspirations and it’s the type of challenge that needs to be eradicated from the game. Luckily for Rafael he was only given a yellow card.
After the game Mourinho emphasised the importance of today’s result:
“Three important points today, opens gap between us and Man United and helps keep up with Man City and Arsenal”
Mourinho on selecting Eto’o for today’s match
“We had a strong physical team in defence, a creative midfield but I felt we need movement and quality…That’s why I chose Samuel, Fernando is more about speed and power”
The result leaves United seventh in the league, six points adrift of fourth place Liverpool and fourteen points off league leaders Arsenal.
This defeat at the hands of Chelsea all but ends their title aspirations and there is now a huge question mark over whether they will finish in the top four.
