Samuel Eto'o became the first Chelsea player since 1954 to hit a hat-trick against Manchester United. A heavy defeat at Stamford Bridge despite Javier Hernandez's consolation left David Moyes and the Red Devils 14 points off the pace, effectively ending their bid to defend the Premier League title. Ashley Young drew a low early stop from Petr Cech as United made the better start. Despite that hosts Chelsea went ahead after a quarter of an hour through Eto'o. The veteran African saw his near post shot loop off Michael Carrick and over David De Gea in the opposite corner. Goalmouth action scarcely followed in this tight, cagey contest. Danny Welbeck scuffed a close range effort straight at Petr Cech late on in the first half after. Cesar Azpilicueta did just enough to put the Red Devils frontman off. Oscar then went close to doubling the Blues' lead with an audacious overhead. Eto'o doubled his tally on the stroke of half time when Ramires found Gary Cahill with the second ball from a corner. Former African Football of the Year Eto'o completed his hat-trick three minutes after the break. De Gea could only parry Cahill's header from another set piece straight to him and Eto'o tapped home. Red Devils left back Patrice Evra then limped off with the visiting defence in disarray. Rafael switched flanks and Chris Smalling came on. Welbeck headed wide from a corner inside the last quarter and Cech survived a scare when Chelsea overplayed it at the back. Hernandez slid in a late consolation for United 12 minutes from time as Welbeck found Phil Jones in the Blues' box. Offside appeals from home players fell on deaf ears. Jose Mourinho gave Nemanja Matic a second Chelsea debut in a brief cameo before the end. Another dismal day for Moyes's men ended with United captain Nemanja Vidic being sent off for lunging in on Eden Hazard in stoppage time. Rafael might easily have followed him for a two-footed challenge on Cahill. The Blues keep pace with title rivals Manchester City and Arsenal, but the Red Devils are out of it.
Jamie Clark is a qualified Web Journalist after undergoing professional training at the University of Sheffield. A prolific and accredited sports writer, he also enjoys classic comedy, historic fiction, 80s music and heritage.
