Pulled yourself away from the rugby? Frankly, we don’t have much interest here. We’re all about the football. And, over the past half-decade, the football hasn’t become much bigger than Chelsea-Manchester United, the 2008 Champions League finalists and only two clubs  to win the Premier League in the last seven years. Granted, Chelsea are in a period of transition and Alex Ferguson is rebuilding at United but this is still a game that will have a large say in where the league goes. United must win to keep pace with City. Chelsea must stay in those Champions League places…

The teams…

Chelsea: Cech; Ivanovic, Luiz, Cahill, Bosingwa; Meireles, Essien, Malouda; Sturridge, Torres, Mata

Manchester United: De Gea; Rafael, Evans, Ferdinand, Evra; Valencia, Carrick, Giggs, Young; Rooney, Welbeck

And we’re off…

Wayne Rooney looks up for this. In a different way, Fernando Torres is. David Luiz did his usual thing before the game of trying to inspire evangelical power in the Spaniard by touching his head.

Chelsea singing not-very-nice songs about Rio Ferdinand’s brother.What an odd world.

De Gea punches a corner clear when he could have caught it. Without wishing to leap on a cliche, that won’t ease the doubts around him.

Controversy. United might well have had a penalty there as Gary Cahill ripped dpwn Welbeck at the edge of the box. That was at least a foul. And, in alllikelihood given it was just inside box when Welbeck fell, a penalty.

Meireles: a useful, likable player. He’s not really top four though is he?

An opening breaks for Torres but he snaps feebly at the shot. A fairly depressing finish if we’re being honest.

Should have been 1-0 United but a bit ponderous. Rooney was clear but, possibly fearing a flag up, delayed his run. He tried to play a through-ball for Welbeck but it was cutaway just before the striker got to it.

A controlled game at the moment. But there are hints of an opening. United probanly just shading it.

GOAL! Chelsea 1-0 Manchester United

So much for United shading it. Daniel Sturridge absolutely skins Evra in the box before flashing the ball across. The ball bounces off Evans and in. Own goal

Welbeck flashes a shot at Cech, which the keeper beats away. United not really finding openings though.

United finding a lot of space in front of Chelsea’s back four but not quite in the box. Chelsea doing a decent job of shoring that up.

United, again, in control but not really suggesting a goal. They would want one before half-time but it’s not happening.

Half-time: Chelsea 1-0 Manchester United

A very tense 45 minutes. United in control but, crucially, not in the lead.

United should perhaps have had two penalties in the first half. it’s been a strange game.

The second half is off.

GOAL! Chelsea 2-0 Manchester United

United stunned… and so is the crowd. What a goal by Chelsea! A super cross from Torres and a sublime volley from Mata. That is some technique to keep it down like that. Exceptional goal.

GOAL! Chelsea 3-0 Manchester United

Mata curls in a free and David Luiz heads/shoulders it in. Chelsea clinical in the last five.

This isn’t a 3-0 game and Chelsea probably don’t even deserve to be ahead. But they have been clinical in the last five.

Penalty to Manchester United. Daniel Sturridge trips Patrice Evra. probably the limpest of the three calls so far… but the only one given.

GOAL! Chelsea 3-1 Manchester United

That’s how to hit them! After missing four of his last eight, Rooney rifles the penalty right into the top corner. Unstoppable.

Carrick strides forward but it’s cut out. United have their tails up now. If there’s a goal in the next 10, this really is up for grabs.

Although Chelsea still looking dangerous on the break. Very open at the moment.

Penalty! Welbeck left his foot in as Ivanovic takes him down. it’s botha  trip and a dive. But, crucially, it’s a second penalty.

Welbeck definitely left his foot in.

GOAL! Chelsea 3-2 Manchester United

Rooney slots the penalty into the opposite corner now. This is very much on. A massive test of character for both teams.

United very much in the ascendancy now. Do Chelsea have the bottle? What a bizarre game.

Hernandez rolls a shot just wide. Chelsea look tired at the moment. Essien dragging his heels… which is, of course, understandable given the amount of time he’s been out.

Oh Torres! He should have just pulled the trigger! He was payed through but, rather than just hitting it, he tried to take it around an extra man.he could have sealed it.

Beyond everything else, it is quite sad that the truly thoroughbred finisher like Fernando Torres looks so shambolic at the moment. Really, there are two issues with him. With players based on pace who broke through at 17, like he did, they’re often gone by 27. Look at Michael Owen. And he clearly has confidence issues as well.

Ten minutes left, Chelsea have done a decent job of stemming the tide while also threatening on the break.

GOAL! Chelsea 3-3 Manchester United

What a comeback. You have to say it: vintage Ferguson and United. First, Rooney hits a snapshot which is palmed away. Giggs collects and pauses before playing in a perfect cross for Hernandez to head home.

And almost a sting in the tale! Meireles heads over from close range after Malouda’s cross. Seemed to just get ahead of it. That was a good chance.

Is there going to be another goal here? This is open and it’s exciting. Three minutes of normal time left. It’s very even. Both sides threatening.

Sloppy ball from Rooney as a chance seemed to present itself.

What a free-kick and what a save! De Gea tips away a 25-yard Mata free-kick that was destined for the top corner!

Two minutes of stoppage time left. Corner to United…

The corner bounces across the box as Jonny Evans throws himself at it, with carrock then firing a shot from distance. Is that the last chance? Or is there more drama?

And Cahill almost gets the debut to remember! Fires a fine shot from distance which De Gea tips over!

A bizarre but brilliant game. Both sides can feel aggrieved at not winning, even though one of them was 3-0 down at one point. On the balance of play, United arguably shaded it. For the neutrals, an epic game though. And, in the wider context, not a bad result for United. Although they’re now two points behind City, the league leaders did losehere. Chelsea can find confidence from living with the champions. But fourth place remains very much open.